Evening star., 1938-04-21
EXPENSE MOUNTS
AS HORSE TRAINS
Some Turfmen Care Little
for Cash Prize, but Go
for Gold Trophy.
BY j. r. ANDERSON,
Associa ted Press SPORTS Writer.


LOUISVILLE, April 21.-After the
Kentucky Derby here May 7 somebody
in the grandstand Is likely to say of the
winning horses owner:
Isn't that tough-winning $50,000
(more or less) in two minutes COR
more). Gosh. I wish I was the owner,
what I wouldn't do with that much
dough-"
(The Derby prize is $5O,oO0 added.
II Is horses go to the post this year
first place will net the owner SAC, ,75O.
The Derby distance Of a mile and a
quarter never has been run In less
than 2:01+5)
To the grandstander the Derby gold
might seem like a slick way Of grab
bing q modest corner on coin in a
quick, easy fashion, but wait. let's
hear the other side OF the story.
Long, Tough Trail.
It's long, tough trail to a Derby
victory with many a disappointment
and plenty of purse-snapping, take ii
from little Roscoe Goose, veteran
trainer and former jockey.
What does it cost to prepare horse
for the Derby?
Horse racing is a tough racket
and it's plenty costly. You only hear
about the winners. But there are q
lot of losers.
There are 103 horses nominated fol-
this years Derby. Only one can win
The winning owner makes some
money, but think Of the many who
don't get a cent"
Just what does it cost to prepare 8
horse for the Derby?
Well" said the sharp-featured be-
spectacled Goose, who piloted Donerai
to victory in 1918, that's hare
question, but offhand I'd say ap.
proximately S2,500"
That figure, Goose said, includes 9
four-month period from January z tc
May 7.
Where Money Goes.
He broke down the estimate like this
Trainer at $500 a month, 200; ex-
ercise boy at 500 month, $3.50; rub
ber at $50 a month, S240; feed at 81
q day, $40. approximately; stall rent
at Churchill Downs at SO monthly
$12: drugs and veterinary care. ST a
month, s28; plates at SIS month, $40
1t costs S25 to nominate a thorough
bred for the Derby and $500 more to
start him. This brings the total tc
S2,4O5.
The owner likely would have several
other horses in his stable. This would
increase the running expense.
In addition, there are % the origi-
nal cost of the horse, if he was pur-
chased at an auction for several thou
sand dollars; 90 caring for him for
the two years before he starts prep
ping for the race; go travelling ex-
pense and "a equipment costs.
If the horse is successful as a Q
year-old he may earn his keep, maybe
more.
There Is Little Profit.
But, for example, if the horse had
not earned cent up to the Derby
and won, the owners profit would be
small. Out of the $4,000 he must pay
10 per cent bonus each to the trainer
and Jockey, in addition to money pres
ents to other members of the stable.
Also, the owner probably would have
paid retaining fee of approximately
$500 to engage a jockey.
Some winning owners, said Roscoe,
"would give it all away"
THE gold cup, too?"
Il should say not" answered Goose.
"That's what they spend thousands Of
dollars to win
Horse racing is an expensive game, :"
he reiterated. It's like owning a
yacht. If you have to ask the price,
you can't afford one.
Il guess that's why horse racing is
called the sport of kings"