The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-09
COLONEL MATT
 WYNN EXPECTS 100000 IN 1S42
Record Field Probable e This Year With IS
 Solid" Horses Set
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, April 9-(UP)-"It's F o'clock noon, gentlemen, what'll you have?" asked the ruddy-faced, portly man from the bluegrass country.
 No gentlemen down our way drinks before 12 o'clock but after that it's every man for himself. see it's high noon SO I think I'll take a little bourbon. What's your pleaSure?"
 It was Col. Matt Vim, head man of Churchill Downs, speaking to reporters in his hotel suite high above Manhattan's roaring traffic The Colonel, with the sparkle of youth in his blue eyes despite his 76 years and glass of bourbon in the palm of his freckled hand. set tied down to talk about the Ken lucky Derby.
 Its pronounced derby like one of those things you wear on your head" replied Col. Vim to querry. Not darby as in England. Two of the quickest ways to insult Ken tuckian are to call the derby the darby or to put rye wiskey in a mint julep.
 Saw Every Derby
 Col. Winn, who saw Artistides, the little red horse, win the first derby ill 1875 from the back-end of his fathers grocery wagon, has seen every one of the 62 derbies. He's seen the derby grow until it's the most spectacular horse race on this side of the pond. z..
 And it hasn't reached it's peak yet" said Col Vim. "This years derby will attract a crowd of close to 90,000. Last year we had 80,000 to see Bold Venture, a 20-1 shot, beat Brevity, the favorite ill hair raising stretch duel. Five years from now I wouldn't be surprised to see nearly 100000 persons at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. We are al- ready making preliminary plans to accommodate such a throng.
 By that time the added value of the race bay be increased from $50,00O to $100,000. But the monetary value of the derby is only a small consideration. It's the honor that most of the owners seek. Some of them would give double the prize money just to win the race,
 How does this years derby look to you. Colonel?"
 The genial Kentuckian who looks like he had stepped out of one of Irwin s. Cobb's stories took a swallow from his plass of bourbon and said:
 Its wide open. I wouldn't be surprised if we had. the largest starting field in history, breaking the record of 9 starters in 1928 when Reigh Count won. We have between 30 and 40 eligibles training at Churchill Downs now and every horSeman, trainer and SWipe is talking derby.
 Open Race
 There are about IS solid horses that I know of now with chance to win. There are undoubtedly others maybe even the winner is a horse no one regards highly now. Some of the leading contenders I'd say are Bradley's two horses, Brooklyn and Millionaire, Mrs. Mars Reaping Re- ward, and Case Ace, Pompoon, War Admiral, Ptolemy, Heelfly, Pri- vileged, Galsun, Maedic, No Sir, Count Scandal, and Flying Cross. "
 A girl reporter asked Col Winn who he was betting on to win the derby. The sparse grey hair on his round dome bristled, and he re- piled in all his dignity:
 My dear young lady, do not bet on horse races. I haven't placed a wager since I took over the man. agement of Churchill Downs in 1901"
 And then the Colonel beamed, But there was a time. I remember back in 1889 I bet $1O0 on Spokane at 100-1 in the future and then put down all had at the track. I even bet $10 for my wife, and it was the first time she had ever seen a race. She almost fell out of the stands when Spokane beat Proctor Knott, the heavy favorite."
 And then Col. Winn hoisted his glass and said.
 Drink up boys"