Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-15
Nominations Of 1877
For Derby Far Below
Record 1876 in 1923
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
LOUISVILLE. KY, Mar. IA
Ninety-one horse owners, dream
ing of the thrill that goes with
a Kentucky Derby victory, today
nominated 1877 hopefuls for the
1853 race.
Their initial investment was
$50 for each horse, which auto
matically added $6,850 to the
100000 Churchill Downs puts
up in prize money for the May 2
classic.
Disappointments will come
early for some, but the dozen,
more or less, owners who watch
their sleek thoroughbreds de-
velop into real Derby threats,
will plant down another $3.50 to
enter them Derby eve.
Then, Barring an overnight
change of heart, they will have
to dig for another $3.50 to start
in the big race.
Purse of $4,000 Likely.
This usually adds up to a total
purse of around $4,000. most
of which goes to the owner of
the first horse to finish the
rugged mile Granddaughter test
for three-year-o Odds.
The 1877 nominations were con-
siderably below the record 1913
subscriptions received in 1923
or the 167 last year but some
what above the smaller lists
named during the Derby's pre-
vious Is years.
At this early date, the names
of Native Dancer, Chanlea and
Straight Face stand out. They
have been winning the bigger
races that usually produce Derby
kings.
But quite conspicuous by their
presence are the unknowns, the
little horses tagged by their
breeding or other considerations
for claiming races. which none
theless are showing strong hearts
and good legs.
Nicholas a Possibility.
Among these are Nicholas. a
brown gelding that has been
burning up the Downs strip in
training but hasn't started a
race and hasn't mastered the art
of breaking from a starting gate.
Nicholas owner, r. j. Winter
gerst of Louisville. won't tell how
much he has invested In the
horse but indicates with broad
grin that it isn't very Much And
he admits he has refused as
much as $4,000 from would-be
buyers.
The Native Dancer-Chanlea-
Straight Face race for favorite's
role may not be settled before
Derby Day since their paths
won't cross under present plans
of their owners.
Native Dancer is last years
king of juvenile runners. Chan
lea won the recent 100000 Santa
Anita Derby. Straight Face
jumped straight into the Derby
picture with his victory in the
Flamingo.
Others Developing.
Other sophomores developing
on schedule include Royal Bay
Gem, a strong second in the
Flamingo, and Merryman and
Correspondent, second and third,
respectively, in the Santa Anita
Derby.
Calumet Farm will point for
an unprecedented six derby vic
tories with five horses, including
Chanlea, and probably will have
the services of Jockey Eddie Ar
caro-, also going after an unprec-
edented sixth Derby victory.
Calumet has won previously with
Whirlaway, Pensive, Citation,
Ponder and Hill Gail. Arcaro
rode Whirlaway, Citation and
Hill Gail and also was aboard
Lawrin and Hoop, jr., for other
owners.
Native Dancer. owned by AL
fred G. Vanderbilt, will be back
stopped by Social Outcast. an
other stakes winner from the
same stable.
Greentree Has Extra Nominees.
Greertree Stable, which NOM
mated Straight Face, also
dropped in the names of Lotus
Eater and Powhatan as "insur-
ance" nominees.
Darby Dan Farm of Ohio and
Joe w. Brown of Louisiana nom
mated four horses each. In adj
dition to Greentree, these own
ers nominated three: c. v. Whit
ney, Sam E. Wilson, jr., Mrs.
Emil Denemark, King Ranch.
Loray Stable, Mrs. Ada L. Rice,
Rokeby Stable and Brookmeade
Stable
Just three f1llies were nomin-
ated to defy the odds that show
just one of the sex-Regret in
1915-haS won the Derby. The
rase is considered too rugged for
some strong colts so early in
their careers.
Calumet nominated Bubbley,
top-Weighted filly in the Expert
mental Free Handicap. Mrs. Ben
F. Whitaker entered the name of
Grecian Queen and Mrs. Ada L.
Rice listed Cerise Refine.