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► • . - . . + jii_fi v- vA™ — v:: KLiKtjS"jsBp j_bl»__— i • Martins Rullah Carries Lewis Colors Newcomer Cheers First Derby Colt Gene Jacobs Trains, Conn McCreary Rides;, Latter Is After Third Derby Triumph CHURCHILL DOWNS. Louisville. Ky., May 2. — Martins Rullah is George Lewis first starter in the Kentucky Derby, but if Lewis" racing fortunes go as fast and as far in the next few years as they have " just since 1954 this colt certainly wont be his last "Rose Run" representative. Lewis and his wife entered racing ,in a big way in 1954 when they spent 6,700 for yearlings at the Del Mar sales, including 1,000 for the colt Lucky G. L., who turned out to be a fine runner. Since then, Lewis has spent heavily each year at the sales and has been well rewarded for his investments. In 1955 he paid 52,000 for six head, of whom four — Darling Adelle. Joe Price, Mr. Sam S. ahd Lucky Mel — went on to win stakes. In 195G he invested 50,000 at Keeneland and Del Mar. including 0,000 for Martins Rullah and 0,000 for Jeffs Uh Uh. ! Names Horses for Family . Lewis names most of his horses for his family, or else includes the word "lucky" in the name. Lewis, only 35 years,, old, is head of the Lucky Manufacturing Company, which makes the popular "Raindear" plastic boots at factories in Los Angeles. Chicago and New York. He was responsible for the development of a special plastic molding process about 10 years ago and has prospered since. * Born in Baltimore and raised on Long Island. Lewis moved to Los Angeles about 13 years ago. He first became interested in racing when his father. Henry, bought some, horses with Hirsch Jacobs — in 1950. The elder Lewis helped George run the stable and advised on yearling purchases until his sudden death in January. At that time Lewis stated he might retire from racing for a while and sell some of his horses. When no satisfactory offers were made for Martins Rullah, trainer Willie Molter con- MARTINS RULLAH— Hope of the George Lewis stable in the Derby. tinued to race the colt, and shipped him to Gulfstream Park in March, where Gene Jacobs took over the conditioning. . Jacobs has been successful with Martins Rullah in the short while the colt has been under his care. He saddled him. for his victory in. a special event at Gulfstream- and then sent him out to~win the Experimental Handicap at Jamaica. Jacobs is a clever conditioner who was tutored in the art by his brother. Hirsch. He "broke into racing under Hirsclrback in the 1930s when economic conditions forced him to quit his job on Wall Street. Took Over Division of Hirsch Stable Studying the business from the ground up, he soon handled a division of Hirschs large stable, and later branched out on his own. He is well accustomed to training topflight horses, having had the crack .sprinter Sheilas Reward in his care some years ago I and also developing the good stakes winner Man of Destiny a couple of seasons ago. Gene, who is the youngest of six Jacobs brothers, was the leading trainer at Hialeah in 1953. Another brother, Sidney, also broke into racing under Hirsch, and now also is a fine trainer in his own right. Conn McCreary has been one of the turfs leading reinsmen for many years and is a veteran Derbyite. Conn has won the big race twice — on Pensive, in 1944, and on Count Turf, in 1951. He is one of the most popular riders in the East and is famed for his strong, bold stretch drives. Born in St. Louis almost 37 years ago, McCreary, short but extremely muscular, got his start in racing when a local news" paperman advised him to seek track work in Kentucky. Hitch-hiking his way, he was picked up on the road by veteran horseman Continued on Page ISO McCreary Rides Martins Rullah In Quest of Third Classic Win Continued from Page 77 0 Steve Judge, who was then training Wood-vale Farm horses. Judge gave, McCreary his first job, and Conn rode in his first Derby in 1941, when he was on Our Boots, who finished unplaced to Whirlaway. Since then he has ridden the winners of many important stakes and has earned a reputation as a good "money rider." An articulate person, he has a flair for showmanship and every year is one of the stars of the Jockeys Guild Guild show in New York.
