The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-31
Registered U. S. Patent Office)
By JACK CUDDY Limited Press Staff CorreSpondentl

By JACh CUDDI
 United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, May 31 - U.PD - Racing luck is something like love, Regardless of your wealth, you have it when you need it--or you don't as three very wealthy men found out over the holiday.
 Bill Helis, the Greek oil magnate whose income is estimated at ST. 900 a day, heard the roar of 64,537 voices at Jamaica as his two suryiv- ing Derby eligibles Greek War rior and Adonis - bit the dust.
 But Fred w. Hooper, the big bronzed southern contractor and cattleman who never had a thor oughbred on track until last year listened to the Jamaica roar as his Hoop Jr., turned in a winning upset in the second section of the Wood Memorial, thereby qualifying TO- bustly for the Kentucky Derby on June g.
 In similar fashion, the wealthy and quite social Colonel c. V. Whit ney saw his Jeep qualify for the run of roses by winning the first section of the Wood Memorial - a happy interlude after Whitney's bitter disappointment last year when highly-touted Pukka Gin broke down before the Derby.
 Fred Hooper of Miami and Birm- ingham, Ala. who contracts for buildings, bridges, highways, air. INnrtc at ;te I, l. of the luckiest guys ever to have a strong Derby contender. He is con- fident that Hoop Jr. will win the Kentucky classic because the colt has been lucky and because it has done everything we have asked"
 Hooper, tall, middle-aged man with a soft southern drawl admits that he is mixed up in big time rac- ing merely by accident. He owns large cattle ranches at Bunell, Fla. and near Montgomery, Ala. About nine years ago he picked up a quar- ter-bred COW horse, named "Roya. Prince" Because of the Princes un- usual speed he began racing him ir the gypsy meets of the South - state fairs, etc. Although Roya. Prince was no thoroughbred, he wor 49 of 56 races. His triumphs inter- ested Hooper in big-time racing.
 So - Hooper turned to the thor oughbreds, and invested more than $250,000 in building up a stable. He did most of his buying two years ago at yearling sales. He was out bid for some choice yearlings by HeliS, Elizabeth Arden, etc. But he coughed up $10,20O at Lexington Ky, for colt that attracted both him and his trainer Ivan Par!se. The colt was Hoop Jr. - bay son of Sir Gallahad-One Hour. They liked him because of his profile, his behavior and his breeding. Hooper bought 2l other yearlings, 12 mares and the stallion Hollywood, but Hoop, Jr., was the apple of his eye.
 Hoop Jr., had good record as a tWo-year-old last year, winning two and placing three times in five starts. He worked well this spring; but made poor showing in a six furlong event on May 2. This made him comparatively lightly regarded for his section of the wood yester- day. But he took the lead and never was headed, finishing the mile and l-l6 in 1:45-four-f1fths of a second faster than Whitney's Jeep. He beat out the Christiana Stables favored Alexis, one of the top juveniles of A and winner of two straight this spring at Pimlico. Hoop Jr., will be shipped to Louisville for the Derby today.
 Colonel Whitney's Jeep will be shipped next Tuesday or Wednes- day.
 But what of the Helis horses the stable that was expected to have corner on the Derby this year?
 Before the first section of the