Imperial Valley press., 1924-05-16
BLACK GOLD is
CHOSEN BY MANY
AS THE WINNER
$4,000 Cash Prize, $4,000
Cup, Other Trophies
For Victor
By United Press Leased Wire

CHURCHILL DOWNS, LOUIS
VILE, KY, May 16.-Hoarsc
throated thousands at Kentucky's IS
historic downs course tomorrow will
see thoroughbred follow the lead
of the 'little red horse" to gold
and glory.
Out of the ruck of field of 16
starters, one of the wonder horses
of 1924 will flash to victory in the
golden jubilee of the Kentucky
Derby.
1t was in 1875 that "the little red
horse - Aristides, captured the first
derby, which has been contested an
nually since that date at Churchill
Downs. His prize was few thou
sand dollars. But the winner of the
tiftieth derby Saturday will bring a
small fortune to his stable. The
stake tomorrow will be worth about
$53 5000, the owner of the, winning
colt or filly will receive a cup valu-
ed at $4,000; the winning jockey
will be given gold spurs and split
second watch will be presented to
the trainer who saddles the winning
mount. aff.t
1t is now certain ut least 16 and
possibly mere will face the barrier
for the riost cherished turf event OF
America.
Three choices for the derby-Wise
Counsellor, Sarazcn and st. James
will not start, but the field that
will 90, after the rich prize is
worthy of stake so rich IN sentl-
mcnt.
Here Are Starters
The probable eastern starters are:
Thorndale, Revenue Agent, Nauti-
cal, Mr.. Mutt, Diogenes, Bracadale,
Mad Play, Transmute, klondyke,
Wild Aster and Senator Norris.
The west will enter Beau. Butler,
Battling Bob Tail, King Gorin II,
Chilhowec, Altawood, Black Gold,
Polo Grounds, Glide, Cloistcr, Mod
est and Cannon Shot.
Polo Grounds, Glide, Bob Tail and
Cloister are doubtful starters.
Kentucky turfmen believe Black
Gold will win the event. This colt
won the Louisiana derby March II
at New Orleans: ran mile tins
week in less than :38 at Churchhlll
Downs over track that was sec
ond slow and is further advanced,
it is believed, than any other derby
candidate.
The east likes best the chances
of Mad PLAY and Bracadalc, entry
of the RancOcaS stable.
{ TULSA, Okla. May l6-Mrs. Rosa
Hoots has packed her dufflc and
headed toward Louisville, where her
horse, Black Gold, will go to the
most in the kentucky Derby Satur-
dav carrying all of the hopes and
most of the money of the southwest.
Grace horses are like oil-doubt
full Mrs. IIoots told friends tetore
leaving
But the southwest wildcatted i'll
oil and got there and is now taking
another chance on Black Coda
name garnered from petroleum.
Mrs. Hoots is a wealthy and at
tractive Indian widow. Her husband
died five years ago bequeathing his
estate, including Broad Acres Ranch
and a racing stable, to his widow.
She made money in cattle, lost some
in oil and kept up the stable IN
memory of her husband, although
she personally had little interest i'll
the racing game.
Only a short time ago she sald
"What do | care about Black
Gold. don t now much about rae
ing and | don It like to loaf around
the stable or the track.
But tomorrow she will be in Louis
vile, while in Oklahoma, Kansas
and Texas connoiscurs of oil and
horses will await the outcome of
another .'wild eat venture IN
which they have sunk the bank roll.