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► I — ; - : : — ; — i SuccessTdkes Whittingham to Derby CHARLES WHITTINGHAM Llangollen Mentor Rose From Ranks Sends Astutely Campaigned Gone Fishin After Derby Glory Saturday Afternoon By OSCAR OTIS • CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville. Ky., May 2. — Charlie Whittingham, who will saddle Llangollen Farms Gone Fishin for the 84th running of the- Kentucky Derby, tomorrow, is one of the most successful trainers in the business. Born 45 years ago in Otay, California, a small village close to the Mexican border, Whittingham got his start rubbing horses, walking hots and making himself generally useful dround the stable areas of the southwests small tracks. It was not long before Whittingham parlayed the knowledge he had picked up into a trainers license. Starting with a humble band of cheap horses, which he raced in his own name, he gradually worked his way to the big time. He made his first major step when he became associated with Horatio Luro, joining the noted Argentinian in 1940. He was listed as assistant trainer, but he was often on his own while Luro was in Europe and South America on buying expeditions. He played a major role in the development of such stars of that era as Talon and Rico Monte, — When the war came, Whittingham enlisted in the Marines, and spent four years in the South Pacific. Upon his return to the States, he rejoined Luro, but later set • : "anywhere and everywhere" although for the last few years, he has been, active at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park with the main division of Llangollen. ■ «. ,For Llangollen, Whittingham has trained a string of good horses, such as Porterhouse, Mr. Gus and Nashville. He won the 1953 Belmont Futurity with Porterhouse, but the score that pleased him most was when "Porky" upset the redoubtable Swaps in the 00,000 Californian at Hollywood Park in 1956. - Makes Quick Decision Whittingham decided to start Gone Fishin in the Derby on what appeared to be the "spur of the moment." In reality he was following a long-planned campaign. Gone Fishin was considered a good prospect, but every time Whittingham wanted to try the colt it rained. He finally got the opportunity at Golden Gate Fields in a mile special carded for the appearance of Silky Sullivan. Result, a score by five and one half lengths in 1:34%. In a matter of minutes after the race, Whittingham was atrranging for plane transportation to the Blue Grass. As a modest breeder in his own right. Whittingham is a keen student of bloodlines and is particularly "high" on Endeavour II., the sire owned by Mrs. Lunn who has been standing in California. Whittingham and his wife Peggy have three children. His best known attribute on Ihe turf is his calm under stress. If anything bothers Whittingham, he keeps it hidden. Hence he appears to be an easy going, somewhat philosophical, trainer. He has a way with a horse, as this Derby tomorrow may prove.
