The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-05-03
COLLYER RATES DERBY MOST OPEN
 RACE IN YEARS
Famous Turf Writer Dis= cusses l935 Classic. for
 Democrat Readers
BY BERT E. COLLYER (COpyright, 1885, by Collyer's News
 Bureau)

BY BERT E. COLLYER (COpyright, 1885, by Collyer's News
 Bureau)
 Louisville, May 3.-The 61st running of the historic Kentucky Derby, which began with the great little red horse" Aristides, away back in 1875, and one year ago was captured by the Brookmeade stables Big Train" Cavalcade, will be run and won tomorrow. Possibly 8O,000 persons-from all sections of these United States and elsewhere - will assemble at Churchill Downs; incidentally, es- new record for at- tendance on any race track in this country. The purse is $40,0O0 in added money, the distance one and one-quarter miles, seventeen po- tential starters are promised face Starter Hamil- ton, mad as if to climax such a Mutuels Supervisor Mclaughlin predicts handle" for the Derby of $350,000 with a gross total for the day of $1,25O,- 900.
 Cold Dope
 Stepping down and away from statistics, detouring superlatives worn bare by the scrivners-here by the score-to cover" the great spectacle, it would seem to our mind one of the most "open" races of recent years. True, today, carry ing the colors of C. V. Whitney, winner of the Wood memorial of one week ago, and rated by no less an authority than Tom" Healy as "one of the best horses he ever trained" would seem to have a shade. This opinion is also vouch- ed by Sonny" Workman who will ride the favorite after the colts victory at Havre de Grace, offer ed to wager any part fo $5,000- hore against horse-that the son of Whichone and Afternoon could beat any three-year-old in train- ing. Leaving sentiment aside, weighing all things carefully, tthere seems to be some slight question, in the minds of somey as to wheth- CT the Whitney colt is tight"
 LII EuSc
 Then we come to Common wealth, an overwhelming favorite for the rich Chesapeake at the Graw, but which finished second to Plat Eye and Sun Fairplay. How ever, to the keen eye of the ex- perts, it was apparent hat Work man, seeing his mount falter-as if short-gave him an easy ride at the end. In and about the Jeff ford's stable there is a decided air of confidence in both Common wealth and Preston" Burch-a trainer of the old scholo, one who it has often been remarked "has a bit of fox bred in him." Of one thing the writer is certain and the reader may rest assured, Com is ready to run the race of his life; incidentally he will be running over tired horses when the real issue begins. Omaha, which fills the eye and is by Gallant Fox. a Derby winner, is another that favors a route and which also has been given as careful a prepara- tion as any horse even sent after the winners portion of this his- toric event. Relative to his race in the Woods it is my personal opin- ion that it was bit better than cold dope might indicate. Plat Eye. winner of the Chesapeake, and the runner up in the Woods, possesses a splendid burst of speed. but, in the minds of those best privileged to know. is doubtful quantity over a Derby route.
 Bradley Special
 Then we come to Boxthorn, the pride of Kentucky and the idol of Col. E. R. Bradley of Idle Hour, who, by the way, has won more Derbies than any other is a worthy representative. Prepared, as usual, at the farm and brought to these races, to use the vernacular, finer than split silk," the some of Blue Larkspur will have no excuses. In a word he looks Derby material and I have the word of his owner never felt surer of winning Derby than ! do tonight" Roman Soldier, win- ner of the Texas Derby, St. Der n, I'd, Plat Eye, and Psychic Bid. all have their followers and of course all have their chance.
 However and true to tradition, the race is not without its spectacular -the dark horse." This time it's . filly-Nellie Flag, which will carry the colors of Warren the Chicago sportsman. Always rated first class racer she hlled out over winter and assumed of the stud rather than that f he gentler sex. In her race opening day she fairly revelled in the mud, running the seven fur- longs in 0.25 2-b. 0.46 4-5. l.i2 2.5 and 1.25 2-6 and worked out the mile and one.elghth in 1.63 2-b. without distress. Truly . splendid Against her chances. of course. is the well worn argu- ment "bnt one Ally ever won the Derby.-Regret."
 After careful analysis I expect Co see the finish Today, Common. wealth, Nellie Flag with omaha fourth.
 For driving b00.oo0 mlieu in i've Voara without nn accident, ninu