Evening star., 1933-05-06
FROM 4 TO I OF z
MAY Be SCRATCHED
Coe Entry Backed Down to
$4,000 to See Race
Despite Depression.
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

fortunes of the American
IL turf, pretty well battered by
the times, but struggling
bravely to make a comeback,
braced up today with flash OF
old time color and sporting spirit
for another chapter of the
romance closest to the Nations
racing heart-the Kentucky Derby.
Closely woven now for SO years with
the sports most glamorous and exciting
tradition, it's the one big race OF the
year. the outcome of which is awaited
as keenly along Broadway as 1t Is on
every Main street corner in the United
States.
Since 1875, when it was worth only
$2,85O to the first winner, Aristides, and
drew 10000 followers of the thorough
bred for what a contemporary described
as week of high old sport" 1t has
become a national institution. Its rich
award. still worth more than $4,000 to
the winner at time when retrench-
ments have sharply trimmed the value
of many other turf fixtures, has drawn
the entry Of % crack 3-year-olds from
.
ing farms.
TODAY, with many of the leaders OF
i State and Nation assembled for the
f1fty-ninth renewal at SpraWllng,
picturesque Churchill Downs, the Derby
became something more than tradl-
tional symbol 1t was hailed as the
banner bearer in mighty effort to res
cue the turfS sagging structure OF pub
lie support, the turning point for
racing new deal"
If the crowds, by sheer force OF cir
cumstances, were much less overWhelm-
ing for Louisville to handle than IN
PALMER days, they lacked nothing In
enthusiasm. Overnight the influx from
East. North and South seemed heavier
Touts buzzed like bees with fresh tips
on one Of the best-balanced heldS
brought together in years.
The sudden sale of the chief western
hope, Head Play, for $4,000 and per-
centage of the colts possible Derby win
nings, gave the incoming thousands
fresh food for speculation.
For weeks Head Play. owned by Mrs.
Willie Crump of Nashville, Tenn, wife
of the former jockey, has been built up
as the common peoples cholce.
BOuRNJ DIV trump 2OI Ollly oOoo oo a.
yearling, the chestnut son OF My Play
Red Head added romantic touch to
the picture and won following that
backed his odds down to to l, second
choice only to the w. r. Coc entry, fea-
turing the renowned Ladysman.
OUT Of a clear sky that spa-kled over
~ the Downs between showers yes
terday and last night, Crump sold
Head Play to the Warm Stable inter-
ests. an Eastern partnership OF Silas b
Mason and Arnold Hanger. The colt
runs today in the newly selected colors
of Mrs. Mason, but will be saddled by
Crump, who will collect $500 more II
Head Play wins the classic.
Kentucky sentiment and cash. de-
spite the shock of having its favorlte
bartered off on the very eve OF the
Derby, still retained substantial IN
terest in Head Play. Western turfmen
meanwhile turned for their hopes ana
wagery to Charles O., Florida Derby
winner, or speculated on the chances
that Col. Edward r. Bradley OF Ken
lucky, with three entries to draw from
might spring another of his surprises
with Brokers Tip.
Iadysman, storm center OF debate all
week and a mystery horse so far as
the Derby route is concerned, neVerthe-
less remained the East's chief standard
bearer and the outstanding public
choice. The Coe entry, with the dan
perous Pomponius as running mate. has
fuctuated in the betting. Prohibitively
priced in the Winter books, Ladysman
was backed down again today and stood
an 8-to-5 choice. On 2-year-old form,
hes the best of a fast field, but many
of the turf experts are from missouri.
Following the Coe entry. in order.
we're Head Play, 4 to l; Charley O.
to /; Bradley's entry, to l, and the
Catawba Farms Mr.. Khayyam, highly
regarded son of Omar khayyam. 10
to l. coupled with Coed Advice, Win
ner at the Downs on Thursday.
only once before in Derby history
~ have as many as % horses gone
to the pest That was in 1928,
the year Reign Count won, but this
record was not expected to be dupli-
Gated today. Depending on weather
and track conditions. at least four and
possibly seven entries figured to be
scratched before the time the big race
around $50 pm. Central standard
time).
The racing strip dried out rapidly
yesterday. but showers last night threat
ened TO make tle gong stiIl d plI iiea'!'
too much so for number OF colts as
well as the one flly entered. the Shan
don Farms At Top. Goes third horse,
Pompoleon, and Bradley's Boilermaker
and Fingal were among those expected
to be declared out.
With the promise of clear skies Tor
the afternoon. at least 10000 spectators
seemed certain to scramble for views
from the stands or along the rails
when a roaring They're off" sends
an equal number Of pulses soaring for