The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-04
Dit, BELMONT
winner 6 TO |
SECOND CHOICE
Midland 1911 as Kentucky
Derby Is Set for 6:2O
(EDT) Tonight
BY JACK GUENTHER
United Press Racing Editor


Churchill Downs, KY May A.
tUP)--An old mans dream OF win
ming Americas most treasured turf
prize once more before he dies rides
In the Kentucky Derby today on the
black shoulders OF Bimelech "a
Bible-named colt hailed rs tho
greatest running horse since Man
o. War.
Upwards Of $4,000 people thronaed
the long rows OF white grandstand
under the spires and parapets Of
Churchill Downs track to watch
this mighty young thoroughbred
carry his Wanted speed against
eight rivals In the seth run for
the roses and $4,000 purse, but
the 80 year old man 10 whom the
race meant much wasn't among
them.
For today, with his NTH derby
victory considered certainty, Col
Edward Riley Bradley was 30 milea
away from the brown loan strip
over which Behave Yourself, Bub-
bling Over, King and Brokers Tip
flashed his green and white hoops
TO triumph In other years,
Sick, weak and tired, old one-tWd
Ed was forced 10 stay at his Idle
Hour farm. He gathered few
friends and oil his hands about him
10 walt by n radio for the news OF
q Victory that he has been planning
for, hoping for and scheming for
since Bimelech was foaled-and
which would put his derby record
out OF the reach Of other owners
for decades.
But the colonel's private box,
hard by the finish line was the only
one empty as the newest king OF tho
Bradley BIS went out seeking his
ninth straight victory and one that
would send his winnings over $780,
900. Every scat on the track was
filled and additional thousands OF
excited visitors stood In line for
hours before tho green gates 10 pay
their money for Watching n two-
minute race that they believed only
one horse would win,
That horse was Bimelech, two
year old champion OF 1899, Although
he was going against the best horses
the east and the west could find to
oppose him, the undefeated son OF
Black Toney was O as favorite Oh
the morning line,
Against che Field
Carrying equal weight OF 1876
pounds, with Jockey Fred A, Smith
on his back, and breaking from the
second stall In the open gate, hero
Is what the Idle Hour beauty had
to beat In the mile and q quarter
run that has been held here without
interruption every year since 1875:
Mioland.--C. 8. Towards Oregon
bred giant. A finishing, dis.
lance horse, Midland was l0--l
early bet. Lester Balaseki was his
Jockey. His position was No. 3.
Dit-The casts standard bearer,
owned by Arnold Hanger Winner
Of the Wood Memorial In New York
last week, he was 81, the second
choice, was ridden by Buddy Haas,
and drew No. Z.
Pictor-Maryland's hope for It's
first derby triumph In 20 years, A
mud-loving colt, the W. l.. Brann
contender came IN around al with
George CThe Iceman) Woolf up IN
stall nine.
Roman--J. e. Wielener's Kentuck-
Ian and second choice OF the hard
boot clan. Already beaten by Bime-
lech. Roman was held around 20---l.
Ken McCombs rode him, position,
No. 5.
Gallahadion, Milky Way farms con-
tender. Carroll Bierman was the
Jockey, No. I the stall and Isl the
price. Only Trainer Roy Waldren
gave this one a chance.
The other three we're long shots
of the longest variety. They were
Tower Stables Royal Man, 25-1;
Dixiana farms Sirocco. 40-l: and
M. J. Schmitt's True Star. COL. the
latter a starter only II last minute
rains muddied the track.
Slow Track
This morning the footing was
slow and storm clouds still carried
the threat Of down pour. There
was q little chance the track would
be fast. The official forecast called
for continued cloudy conditions and
possible showers. The weather was
unseasonably cold. And instead Of
thin suits and print dresses the spec
tators were arrayed in fur wraps
and top coats.
The procession from Louisville
started down Fourth street early.
Automobiles and street cars
coupled together In groups of four
were lined bumper-to-bumper for
miles. The chill weather held dowr
the crowd slightly. but at least $4,000
and perhaps 10000 wree anticipated
by Matt VIM. the pink checked old
ster who directs the race.
With nine starters, first money
totaled CSC. $50 with 5000 to second,
5000 to third and 81 900 TO fourth.
A pari-mutuel handle OF around
$l,700.O00 was anticipated, although
Bimelech's stand-out supremacy re-
duced betting interest In the derby.
Since Kentucky law provides the
track must pay at least 10 cents
profit on every winning bet, there
was a possibility the management
might lose money on the show pool
In the third-place wagering on
Bimelech provided It was as heavy
as expected.
The derby was the seventh race
on q nine-race card. with Q post
time OF 4:20 p. m. (6:20 p. m. EST.
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