The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-27
CReg. U. s. Pat. Off.) BY JACK GUENTHER

United Press Staff Correspondent
 En route to the Kentucky Derby, April 27-(UP)-The boy in the light gray suit sitting across from me in car 4l8 tapped a cigarette against the back of his hand and agreed that, yes, the Derby looked like wide open race. Then he struck g mach, puffed twice and, through the small cloud of smoke added-"but Alsab will win it, of course"
 He was a little fellow, this boy in the gray suit and he was quite young. He weighed only 10o pounds with his pockets full of silver and at 22 he has no more whiskers than a baby. But his hands are strong, his eyes are shrewd and his reputation is wide. As you may have guessed by now. he is jockey. He is an ex- ceptlonally successful jockey.
 His name is Basil James. If that isn't enough Identification, he is known around the tracks as a fire cracker with a delayed action fuse. That is because as a stretch rider he has few--if any--equals. He knows 6 horse when he sees one and he believed he has seen one. The horse Is Alsab, who hasn't won a race this year, but who Janies thinks will win the derby.
 Worth Seven Grand"
 He Is so strongly convinced that the slim son of Good Goods will be home first on Saturday afternoon that he is gambling $,70O0. He isn't betting that sum, but he is garnb- ling 1t just the same. You see, James asked for the mount on Alsab. If he wins he'll get 10 per cent of the $70,O00 purse. If he loses, he'll get just peanuts. e'I saw him run in the Widener in Florida a few months ago." Basil told me as the train clicked off the miles to Churchill Downs. He lost that, race by a couple of lengths but he is giving away weight to every horse. That was the clincher for me. I broke all records running to his trainer, Sarge Swenle, and asking if he had hired a Derby rider.
 Sarge said no" and when l asked for the job he said sokay.' Well, l rode Alsab in the Chesapeake few days ago and we lost--by a length, to Colchis--bu that was because the track was cuppy. It will be an entirely different story at the Downs on Saturday. You mark my words, this baby should be the fayorite be- cause he still is the best horse"
 For more than on hour the tiny man who ,boomed out of the half mile tracks in Washington seven years ago and took his place as one of the nations great riders explained to me why Alsab should win. Basil says the horse has proven his speed, has proven his gameness and last week proved that he will be at Q physical peak for the derby.
 He also has proven something else. s
 ''This derby will have a big field, :" James said. Tn big fields a horse who wins must make more than one run. Many horses can't do that. If they are pocketed or the bid isn't timed right then they are all through. But Alsab is Q different type of horse. He has three or four runs in him. If he gets in trouble on one or two occasions, he still has something left"
 Tn James opinion Alsab's tough est contender will be Requested, the Wood Memorial winner, and that is another reason he can sec only hls own hors as the victor In this 68tn derby. Requested. he claims. couldn't beat Alsab if he were equipped with an ,outhoard motor, roller skates and an electric fan. He never has and he never vii. He just isn't fast enough.
 Stretch Runner
 '.a@ has more early speed than Algab but he isn't the horse Atsan is in the stretch. I Ike Q stretch runner. ride best on horse who can turn it on down the straight- away. That is Wi1yNT liked Cravat a few years ago and Market Wise last year, And that is why l Ike Al sab this year There is no one 70 match him fa the last uuertef."
 Basil will give Alsab the once oyer, lightly at Louisville today ana reIlI. rille him tomorrow ill the dar- lnv friaI. sTsisc,, conass Saturday and the nls show. 1t will he Aisahas first but Jarde5 fourth. ne finished seT- sntt Nlsh Dalgpr isl A8SY qna sn Fae .54IS4.. + 3z EEl7T 4f