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» 1 Kentucky Derby Is Ben Jones Race Great Trainer Has Saddled Six Winners in 10 Attempts Won First Derby in 1938 With Lawrin; Scored Five More With Calumet Stars By JOE HIRSCH CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 2. — "Ben Jones?" the veteran horse-ma Benny Creech responded to a question between races at Keeneland a few weeks ago. "Why hes forgotten more about training horses than most men will ever know. Hes one of the greatest trainers, weve ever seen in this country — maybe THE greatest." Ordinarily one would be inclined to write off this ringing accolade as an expression of affection and respect by one life-time friend for another But when you hear basically the same sentiments from knowledgeable horsemen of vast experience at racing centers throughout the country, Ben Jones tremendous stature in~the sport takes on real meaning and significance. And now, in the final, dramatic hours before the world-famous Run for the Roses, as the 75-year-old Benjamin Allyn, Jones, in his capacity as general manager of the Calumet racing stable, helps his son Jimmy prepare Tim Tam for the most crucial engagement of the colts career, what is more appropriate that we salute this giant df the industry, whose celebrated deeds in this same Kentucky Derby may uejrer be equalled, certainly never to be forgotten. Beat Dick Thompsons Record For Plain Ben Jones, the man from Missouri, still ramrod straight in the saddle at an age when most men have long since retired to the comfort of the rocking chair, holds a record that is at once the envy of his colleagues and one of the brightest chapters in the colorful history of Americas greatest race. In 10 attempts at the glory and the gold of the Kentucky Derby, Jones has been successful six times, "two more than the old standard held by the late "Derby Dick" Thompson, three more than such distinguished veterans as Max Hirsch and Sunny Jim.Fitzsimmons. With Lawrin in 1938 for the Kansas City clothier Herbert Woolf and with Vhirl-away in 1941, Pensive in 1944, Citation in 1948, Ponder in 1949 and Hill Gail in 1952 — all for Calumet Farm — Jones knew the indescribable thrill of leading a horse he had trained into the piece of ground that is the special Derby winners circle at historic Churchill Downs. B. A. has a host of other notable victories on the turf to his credit, but he js proudest of. his Derby record, and why not. The fabulous story of Ben A. Jones traces back to the early 1900s,- when he wag matching quarter-horses against neighboring Indians around the family farm at Parnell, Mo. His father sent B. A. to the State Agricultural College of Colorado, but the boys first love was racing, and he soon made it a career. His experience with thoroughbreds began around 1910, when he campaigned the 13-year-old Einstein at Midwestern "bush tracks. Ben also became interested in breeding and eventually stood a horse called Seth, by Adam frpm Purity by Deceiver, who had raced for another great Missouri horseman, Sam Hildreth. Seths Were Speed Horses The Seths were speed horses, and their remarkable success made Jones famous throughout the Hinterlands. Captain Seth. for instance, foaled in 1921, won 13 out of his 19 starts as a two-year-old, and was never out of the money. In all, mere than 200 winners of races at recognized tracks were produced by the Jones Stock Farm. Plain Ben is one of the few men who have ever-made a go of breeding, owning and training their own stock. In 1932, after years of campaigning cheap horses for himself, and for Tom Worden, Jones took over" the. powerful Woolford Farm string df Kansas City clothier, Herbert Woolf. Almost immediately he proved to the major turf circles what bush horsemen knew for years— that he was a "pro" when it came to conditioning and winning with thoroughbreds. For Woolford he developed such grand stakes-winners as Joe Schenck, Technician, Inscoelda, Insco Lassie, and his first Derby winner, Lawrin. One year after Lawrin got the roses. Warren Wright offered him. the job at Calumet. His amazing deeds for the devils red and blue are too familiar to be recounted here. Suffice it to say he built the stable into one of if not the most powerful the American turf has ever known. In 1947, Jones relinquished the reins to his son Jimmy,- but even now, in the twilight or his career, he is still active, his wise coun- • sel and invaluable experience a pillar of strength at critical times. Each spring, as Derby time draws near. Ben: Jones still climbs »inta the saddle with BEN A. JONES. Jimmy to take the "big colt" to the track for their training. The Derby is Ben Jones race more than any other mans, and hell continue to be a part of it until the Judge above hangs up the final number. Strength to -Jiim. "We do not see his. kind often. * •
