Evening star., 1944-05-05
Condition Of Strip No
Concern 10 Stir Up,
Trainer Asserts
BY CHARLES DUNKLEY,
Associated Press Sports Writer.


Associated Press Sports Writer.
LOUISVILLE, KY, May 5.--A
breath-taking two minutes will tick
of the 10th running of the Ken
lucky Derby tomorrow, but owners
of the prospective starters were
talking in short breaths today over
the prospects of the first muddy
track for the event since Clyde Van
Dusen wallowed home to victory Is
years ago.
The names of Is thoroughbreds
were dropped into the entry box
before the deadline arrived at 1890
O'Clock this morning. How many of
the owners viii risk paying the final
$500 to start viii depend upon the
condition OF the track As minutes
before post time tomorrow.
A 14-hour rain that quit for a
while and then resumed again last
night left the Churchill Downs rae
ing strip a sloppy mess, fetlock deep
In water. Unless more rain falls to-
day, or tonight, however, the track
may drain off, making it at least
slow, If not muddy. The track is
noted for its speedy drying qualities.
Two Trainers DisconsoIate.
Only two of the Is trainers who
hope to saddle their priced 3-year-
olds in tomorrow's 1A-mile race
over traditional-hallowed Churchill
Downs looked upon track conditions
with encouragement. B. r. Patton,
owner OF Valley Flares, said his
horse would not start If conditions
were unfavorable. A. j. Whitley
Abel, the self -professed poor mans
owner Of Cramps Image, said his
thoroughbred did not care too much
Tor mud, but would start regardless
John Gaver, trainer OF Mrs. Payne
Whitney's favored Stir Up, said rain
or mud would make no difference.
ut can come down In buckets
up to Derby time so far as / am
concerned" Gaver said. Stir Up
will be at home in any kind OF
going"
Ben Jones, trainer of the Calumet
Farms Pensive also said he didn't
care about the conditions.
"Pensive is a game and honest
little horse and can run over any
kind OF track" said Jones. PEN
sive probably should be a 10-to-l
shot, but I think he has an excel
lent chance. I am not too worried
about Stir Up and Arcaro."
Jones Seeks Third Triumph.
Jones viii be aiming for his third
Derby winner. He saddled Lawrin ir
1888 and Whirlaway. holder OF the
Derby record, In 1941. Eddie Arcaro
incidentally, was the jockey wfe
rode both of Jones' Derby winners
If Eddie can make it three tomor.
row on Stir Up, he'll be the thirc
in Derby history to accomplish thu
feat. The others were the mos,
famous of all Negro jockeys. Isaac
Murphy, and Earl Sande.
Although horse lovers and betting
men alike are all stirred up over the
prospects of standout triumph by
Stir Up, there is plenty OF interest
in Challenge Me, Skytracer, Broad
cloth, Autocrat, Alorter, Bell Buzzer
Gay Bit and others, all good
mudders.
II 16 60 to the post, the winning
owner will collect the largest purse
in the history Of the race, $64, ,675
Hitherto the largest purse was
$64, ,225, hauled down by Shut Out in
his 1912 triumph.
Woolf Rides Broadcl0th.
The jockey situation was Just
about complete with the signing OF
George Woolf, the famed "iceman, >
to ride Broadcloth. Woolf, who had
ridden in eight Derpys and never
came closer than second, arrives to-
day from New York. Jockey Jimmy
Layton will be aboard Comenow.
With the prospects OF a 10000 at
tendance, the size of tomorrow's
crowd will be a striking tribute to
the popularity of the event, which
Col. Matt Winn, the 83-year- -old
guiding genius of the Derby, has
built up to a national institution
Despite transportation restrictions
the fans are arriving. Local motor
lists with gasoline rationing "a
cards will be admitted to the park
ing lot, but no others. Taxicabs are
forbidden to carry race fans to the
track. They must rattle to Churchill
Downs in the rickety Fourth avenue
street cars, which require 20 to Is