The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-08
FAST TRACK AT CHURCHILL FOR
 GREATEST RACE
War Admiral Holds Best Post Position and Pub-
 lie Favor
By HENRY McLEMoRE


 United Press StaM COrrespOndent)
 Churchill Downs, Louisville, May 6-UP)-Money talks and today half a million dollars was ready to talk in no uncertain terms on the 63rd running of the Kentucky Derby.
 Fully half of that--$250,00 in cold cash-went for but one name war admiral"
 The little son of old Man O War himself was the favorite that charmed the crowd of 10000 that began gathering at the Downs this morning not long after sunrise.
 He was the No. 1 hoss in the post positions-the No. hoss in the Derby betting. He had only to break away from all trouble, hit his stride, run his race, and pick up his dough. Or 50 a majority of the experts decreed.
 But there were 19 other horses in the field whose packers were convinced that War Admiral would not get all of these breaks in his favor.
 There were many who believed that Mrs. Ethel Mars, who makes candy bars with her right hand and thumbs winners to the post with her left, had the winning combina- ton in the powerful entry of Reap ing Reward and Military.
 Reaping Reward can run fast Military can run far. Between them they may hold the magic combina- ton that will whipsaw Little War Admiral into defeat. Reaping Re- ward is tabbed as the Derby winner by the Mars stable, but the turf critics believe that over a distance the Soldier can carry 8 knapsack of 126 pounds better and faster than his more famed stable mate.
 Military is the Derby dark horse, the truest router in the biggest field since Reign Counts Derby in 1928. Twenty-two went to the post then. Even with unexpected scrat- ches, the field will number no worse than IT when the bugle blows at 5 D. m. (CST) this afternoon.
 An amazing angle to this 63rd Derby is the almost total absence of Bradley Ballyhoo. In any Derby, any year, there is always the cry of Bradley. Whatever he runs, 1t draws play on the mere Bradley luck that has won four previous Derbys for the old Colonel. This time, however, he has only one horse, not well regarded one, in Billionaire. A heluva name, but much horse.
 And yet Col Bradley always must be watched in Kentucky Derby He is a gambler and he did not pay the $500 starting fee for nothing Never does the Colonel play loser knowingly. No gambler does.
 So Bradley will be there, too, along with Pompoon, the early winter book favorite, which hunked out in the Wood Memorial, but which has heartened his packers by sensational dawn workouts. Pom poon is not out of the Derby by any means. He had a bad day in the wood; one of his good days today would snatch the $50,000 race like nobody's business.
 Take Your Pick
 That also is true of almost every other horse in the race. The thing is wide open as wide open as Marselles when the fleet is in. Mo- body will be surprised at whatever wins the Derby. Fairy Hill, victory in the $50,000 Santa Anita Derby last winter, needs only to run back to that race. Melodist could do 1t with repetition of his performance in the wood. Dellor, best longshot in the race, could upset all with another run like his victory in last Tuesdays Derby trial. Even Earl Sande, with his cast-offs, Scene shifter and Fencing, might bring home winner if either of the two raced like they did at Keeneland.
 Your life is in your hands when you lay 1t on the line in this Derby. Poor little War Admiral. at 2 to 1. is on the spot with that heavy, heavy dough on his shoulders and that heavy. heavy boy on his back.
 Even the weatherman isn't true. He thinks 1t will be clear, warm and fast, but won't bet dime that 1t won't come up mud.
 If 1t does. climb up in the laps of the Gods and let them slip your dough through the mutuel windows. Better still, take the two bucks and buy the wife corset cover.
 Louisville, May 8-(UP) - Clear skies at a. m. q a. m. EDT) to- day promised a fast track for the Kentucky Derby. The temperature was 50 degrees.