view raw text
► 4 REGGIE CORNELL 4 Silkys Trainer Back For Another Try Cornell Says Royal Orbit Has Sounder Credentials Than Last Years Charge CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 1. — Reggie Cornell, who will saddle Mrs. Jacques Brausteins Royal Orbit in the Kentucky Derby, made his first appearance at Churchill Downs as a trainer here last year with one of the most publicized thoroughbreds in the classics history — Silky Sullivan. Royal Orbit is not as spectacular a performer as Silky, but Cornell, a rotund, jovial, 37-year-old native of Canada, is certain that his Derby charge this year presents sounder credentials. Cornells first job at a race track was as a groom. He started his training career by purchasing a cheap horse for his own account, then went ahead and made a success of his one-horse stable. He later became associated as a stable foreman and trainer of a second division string for Horatio Luro. Eleven year ago Cornell left Canada for California, where he immediately established a public stable. His clients came slowly at first, but he steadily built a reputation for success and during the last six years he has had all the charges he could accommodate. Passed Polygraph Test Cornell made turf history in 1957 when, after one of his charges, Drifting Abbey, was found to be stimulated following a winning effort, he volunteered for and was given a polygraph test by the Pasadena police department. Cornell passed the test and his suspension was revoked shortly thereafter. Cornell has done much to popularize Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County as a training center for thoroughbreds. He usually keeps 12 to 15 head at the beach which, he insists, is ideal for long workouts — the salt water being soothing to horses legs and tendons. In addition, the beach training strip offers Cornell an opportunity to time workouts accurately under somewhat unusual conditions. There is a road near the beach which enables Cornell, in a car, to keep his charge under close observation throughout the trial. Cornell, incidentally, refuses to learn to drive an automobile. Trainers throughout the nation were surprised two years ago when Cornell was quoted as saying he believes it is easier to train a horse for distance events than for sprints. Cornells training methods are based less upon speed drills than are most trainers. He places greater emphasis on seemingly endless walks and long, but slow, 1 gallops.
