Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-12

Possibly because Of the constant
| strain of keeping their weight down
not to Derby weight, but to point
! where they can get mounts regularly
both Sande and johnson were mark
edly nervous while waiting for a big
race. Johnson used to get fairly blue
| around the lips.
i incidentally. jockeys are not alone in
feeling the nervous strain Of the Derby.
| When Whiskery won two years ago Mr..
Harry Payne Whitney, who was not in
the best of health at the time, made a
Decline for his private car on the rail-
| way siding and ducked the ordeal of
| having to listen to the governors speech
| and receive the trophy that goes to the
winner. Not particularly partial to big
| crowds, Mr.. Whitney delegated that
ceremonial to his trainer, James Rowe.
Strange as 1t may appear, the sound
| of the bugle signals the disappearance
OF the nervous strain and restores the
! jockey to his normal self. The last
vestige Of it vanishes as the riders
knees grip the saddle and he ties the
knot in his reinS as the horses muster
for the parade to the starting point.
To win the Derby a jockey must get
off, if not in front, at least among the
| leaders. The start for the big race at
Churchill Downs is made from a chute
at the head of the stretch, and that
gives run of only 2 furlongs to the
| judges stand, which is very close to
the first turn. That makes it ALL
important to be among the leaders and
escape interference.
Every rider realizes this, and when
Sande rode Bracadale in the Derby won
by Black Gold he repeatedly broke
through the barrier in his anxiety to be
| first away. He finally got away flying
and finished third in the race. For this
he was set down for the rest of the
meeting by the starter. and it was addi-
tional punishment when the Judges,
owing to the similarity of colors of the
Rancocas Stable and those of E. R.
Bradley, save third place to the lat
ter's colt, Beau Butler, instead of
Bracadale.
There is always some delay at the
start for the Derby. but sooner or later
the starter springs the barrier and
yells. Come on!"
THE race is on.
Hands and heels spring into ac-
ton. Whips rise and fall, and the silks
flatten on the Jockeys chests in the
mad rush to get well round that first
turn. It's a case of every one for him.
self and the devil take the hindmoSt.
Will IlO alCcT YOU, my UedT AIpIlOIlSS
business. 1t is rough work, sometimes,
rounding that first turn when, deaf to
the laundering roar from the vast null
titude. all the rider hears is the shrill
cries of Lay off me there. will you?"
you'll have me down." Keep out, keep
out" and other squawkS in language
that cannot be printed. None of us
was ever very regular at Sunday school.
The back stretch seems all too short
as the rider, with head bent 10 avoid
the Jumps of dirt flying by his ears,
drives his horse with hands and heels
to catch the flying leaders. One by
one they drop back of him as, lodging
a pocket and luckily getting through
on the inside. he finds himself within
striking distance of those in front
Then the rider is able to give his mount
a nomentary breathing spell while
rounding the turn for home and before
making the final call on him to prove
his speed and stamina.
The winning post, less than fur
longs away. looks miles distant as
the horse. weakening from his previous
exertions. starts to shorten his stride.
Will he get there? Inch by inch his
opponent creeps nearer and nearer.
It's nip-8.ld-tuck in the last hundred
yards. with the leaders answering
gamely to the repeated calls. One
1orges slightly to the front as they ~