The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-18
Today's Sport Parade
BY HENRY McLEAEoRE United Press Staff Correspondent

Los Angeles, Dec. 1e.-CUP)-There is something about owning Q race horse that affects a mans judgment to such an extent that 1t is doubtful if even a supreme court justice could own one and still retain his full powers of reasoning.
 Give justice sway-backed colt with bowed tendonS and the hic- coughs and the chances are he'd back it, at even money, against Challedon and go around telling his friends to just wait until next May and they'd see his silks come home in front in Louisville.
 If this isn't true, how in the world can you explain the nearly 100 nomi- nations that have been made for the next running of the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap in March? I was looking over the list of horses named for that race today Gin view of send ing Uncle Clabe a g winter book ticket on a 1000 to shot as al Christmas present( and you never saw such 8 collection of chaf and wheat, goats and sheep, buckshot and caviar in your life.
 Few Favorites
 For every horse entered who has a chance to win, there are ten fugi- tives from the blow, milk wagon, truck farm, and antique shop. You can understand an owner entering a horse just for the thrill of seeing his silks pass by in the parade to the post, but there are horses entered for the Handicap Uust as there are for all the rich stakes) whose only chance of getting to the post without breaking down would be for the jockeys to lead them and bait them along with carrots and lump sugar.
 Why are owners this way? Why do they throw away their money? It costs in the neighborhood of $1 900 to send 8 horse to the gate in the Handicap, and that's nice neigh borhood.
 Having never owned horse my self, and therefore being unable to answer my own question, turned to a couple of Hollywood turfmen for the answer Bling Crosby and Dave Butler.
 Crosby was practicing chip shots at the Lakeside Club when I queried him.
 "A mans pride in his own judgment is the answer, I believe" Bing said. 'The owner is the one responsible for the purchase of the horse and he just hates to admit that he was wrong. So he strings along with him even after everybody else knows the horse can't run 8 lick. Take me with High Strike and SabueSo. I stayed with them long after it was evident to everyone else that they couldn't beat a fat man out of the front door. And there's another angle that ac- counts for an owner hanging on when everybody else has given up. That's the natural liking for horse 8 fellow gets. When horse has been eating out of your hand for a year or two, and muzzling you when you enter his barn, well, he becomes a sort of friend and you don't quit on friends, do you?"
 Director Butler, who did the fine picture Kentucky and who knows as much about horseflesh as any one in these parts, wasn't at all surprised by my question.
 How It Happens
 Hell, you just own a horse once and see what happens" he said. "In the first place, the trainer gives you a line of talk that convinces you the horse has the possibilities of a Man O'War. If it takes him two minutes to run a mile the trainer says he is bringing him along slowly or that he will find himself in week or two, or that he can't hurry him in his work with 8 rich stake still two months of. Soon you begin to believe that your horse is a potential Santa Anita winner that needs only a little time and little luck to win a for tune. Then, there is the outside chance that all the good horses will drop out and that your horse will be dropped in there with his own class