Evening star., 1945-06-09
Has Ideal Spot al Post;
Jeep and Poi O. Luck
Have Keen Support
BY CHARLES DUNKLEY,
Associated Press Sports Nritar.


LOUISVILLE, KY, June g.
Churchill Downs surrendered to-
day to the spirit of the list Ken
lucky Derby, perhaps the richest in
its history, and another wartime
crowd that may reach 10000, despite
a strong chance Of being drenched.
Showers began early today and were
expected to continue.
Men and women, young and old
rich and poor, began streaming
through the gates hours before the
race program began. Derby post
time is Sis pm. c. w. T.
The names Of three speeders from
the East, topped by F. w. Hooper's
Hoop Jr.. and rated as the classiest
OF sparkling field of 16 3-year -olds
were on the lips of almost everybody
as the probable winner of the pun
ishing ~ mile race.
The other two Fasteners were
Col. c. v. Whitney's Jeep and
Henry Lunger's Alexis.
Two Others Well Liked.
Also prominently considered were
Warren Wright's Pot O. Luck and
Darby Dieppe, entry of Mrs. w. G..
Lewis Of Evarts, KY, surprise win
ner Of the recent Blue Grass Stakes,
principal Kentucky preparatory test
for the Derby nominees.
If all 16 start, it will be the
richest Derby in history with a gross
value of $86,875, and with the owner
Of the winning thoroughbred draw
ing down $64,850.
Hoop Jr., a lean magnificent bay
colt, probably will 60 to the post a
5-to-2 favorite because of his victory
in one division of the Wood Me-
mortal and his most astonishing of
all pre-Derby workouts. He will be
ridden by the cagey, hard-riding
Eddie Arcaro, in quest of his third
Derby triumph. Hoop will break
from the outside stall in the 12-horse
main starting gate, q position re-
garded as choice because Of his
terrific early speed and Arcaro's
noted desire to get to the front as
quickly rs possible.
Pot O. Luck and Jeep probably
will 60 to the post as 4 to l second
choices. Jeep, like Hoop Jr., won a
division Of the Wood and will have
Arnold Kirkland in the pilot house.
Pot o. Luck's Condition Assured.
Pot O. Luck is trained by the noted
Missourian, Ben Jones. Race horse
fans know that anything Jones
trains must be ready, for he has won
trio or Derbies, first with Lawrin,
then Whirlaway and with Pensive
last year. Douglas Dodson will have
the mount on Wright's colt.
If the track remains muddy,
Darby Dieppe's chances are con-
sidered better, but track conditions
also will improve the chances of
Hoop Jr., Foreign Agent, Alexis,
Tiger Rebel, Bymeabond. Air Sailor
and Misweet, only filly in the race.
She will be the 9th fiuy to start
through the years of the race. Only
one, Regret, poked her nose down in
front and that was 80 years ago.
Only Burning Dream, the colt
Kentuckians are counting upon to
give the 85-year-old Col. E. R.
Bradley of Lexington his fifth
victory in the Derby, is considered
the only doubtful starter. Trainer
Jimmy Smith, said the Bradley racer
would be scratched If the track re-
mains muddy.
Sun Foresakes Kentucky.
The owners have until As minutes
before post time to withdraw.
When the massed bands start
playing 'Ihe Sun Shines Bright on
Ny Old Kentucky Home" as Mi
sweet, the filly, leads the exciting
parade Of thoroughbreds on the
track, Kentuckians can smile at
each other for the sun has shone
bright" only one day this month.
1t has remained hidden behind
heavy clouds which finally burst
to splash rain all over the
landscape. A total of 1:48 inches
has fallen since.
The size of the crowd is a striking
tribute to the popularity Ct the race
which the 83-year-old Col. Matt
Winn, managing director of Church.
ill Downs, built up to national
Despite the most rigid
adherence to rail transportation re-
the fans got here some
how. The Louisville Office of the
ODT announced that motorists with
B and c gasoline ration cards would
be permitted to the grounds. Last
year they were shooed away.