Evening star., 1952-03-15

LIST ior May 3 Race
is Fourth Largest in
|7S-y Year History
By HE Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Mar. 15.-The
lure Of the Kentucky Derby's gold
and glory resulted today in the
nomination of 1877 three-year-olds
for the 1852 renewal.
Only three times before In Is
years of competition have more
horses been nominated. The rec
ord 1856 were named "a years ago
for the 1928 running. There were
I'll nominations In 1896 and ITO
| in 1898.
The big pot Of names. including
-four fillies. stirred speculation
that the biggest Of all Derby fields
will line up for the race May 8 at
Churchill Downs. The most pre-
viouSly was % in 1928, but purse
and prestige considerations are
different now. making the chal-
llenge more inviting. Last years
Derby attracted 20 starters and
there were As fewer nominations
than this year.
Winn Stuck to One Division.
Derby officials indicated they
would prefer to wait and see'
before answering the question:
Suppose there are more starters
than space in the starting gate?"
The late Col. Matt Winn, who
operated Churchill Downs for
nearly half century until his
death in 1949, often said an over
sized field would be lined up two
or three deep if necessary and
started without a gate. In no
|event, he said. would the Derby
be run in more than one division.
| Bill Corum. his successor. is
believed to follow that same rea-
Esoning.
The nominations include the
top 3-year-olds developed in
juvenile racing last year and in
early tests for 3-year-olds this
year.
But on that score, too. the
|standouts are many. giving added
rise to the outlook for a crowded
field.
Tom Fool. Hill Gail. Windy
City II and Blue Man are best
liked at present. but no fewer
than Is horses have shown
enough to be pointed for the test
of tests.
Tom Fool, owned by Greentree
Stable. won five of seven races as
Ia juvenile to become the years
two-year-old champion with VIM
nings of $155, $50. He has wintered
well lin South Carolina and looks
like a sure starter.
Calumet Farms Hill Gail gained
much stature when he won the
Santa Anita Derby. Windy City
II. the imported champion Of Ire
land, England and France, was
beaten four lengths in that race
by Hill Gail. but railbirds can't
forget the two times Windy City
III beat Hill Gail.
Boast of Calumet Farm.
There's talk, too, that Calumet
Farm has in Mark Ye Well 9
three -year-old that it rates along.
Eside Hill Gail.
Blue Man and Charlie McAdam
fare regarded tops among the colts
that campaigned in Florida.
And at Oaklawn Park recently
a new name bobbed into specula-
tion when Red Curtice set q track
record for 51a furlongs.
New Orleans is singing the
praise of Happy Go Lucky, winner
| in four out of five races.
j. J. Amiel, who surprised Derby
followers with Count Turf in the
winners circle last year, plans tc
hit back with another son oi
Count Fleet named Count Flame
These others remain very much
in consideration: Cousin, Colo
Command, Common Cause, Gush.
ing Oil, Indian Land. oh Leo ane
Sub Fleet.
The mile-and quarter Derby
once again will carry an added
purse. of $100. 900. and If enough
Eowners pay the 81 900 starting fes
lit not only will have the bigges,
field. but will carry the biggest
total payoff.