Evening star., 1953-11-06

would win, just did But she didn't want to
either of those horses beaten lot OF people felt the
way think"
A MAN ASKED "You think a good deal of Tom Fool
don't you?"
eyes," Ted answered. "I think more of him than any
horse rode He the perfect horse Even his little
mannerisms different like the way he'd cock his head
at the grandstand during post parade Seemed like he was
counting the house"
"Is he the best you ever rode, too?" asked
"Best rode saw" Ted said, simply.
"What the three best you rode?"
"Tom Fool Capot and Devil Diver The soundeS of the
bunch was Tom Fool and he was sick all the he
3-yearold Most people don't know it, but Capo and Devil
Diver unsound most of the time Still, they
But Tom Fool" he added, wistfuIy. 81 think he
the gentleman I've known Later when he addressed
the luncheon group those his opening words.
RACING IS NOT UTTERLY without sentiment. Atkn-
and other veteran jockeys have ridden thousands of
years. almost every rider has favorte
that close to him dog close to and beloved
by child
ing handicap champion of 1953 another handy in
the saddle srolled into the Here's fellow, re-
who talking to Atkinson who had favore
too. Tell Ted about your horse, Sonny"
Sonny Workman long ago retired to count his
grnned Equipoise he began, and just at that
point voice from behind Workman said, He was my horse
too, Sonny"
workman's face lighted up like 15O-watt bulb. Hello
Whitney" Sonny greeted "Gee it's been is years ="
guess has, that" Whitney agreed c. V. Whitney
confused with his first cousin John Hay Whitney,
who owns Tom Fool) owned EquipoSe.
"The first ever saw as owner OF StaDIe nVoVeo
Equpoise and Sonny he explained They got left at the
post gave lengths away Twenty Grand and Mate two
great horses. And yet Equpoise won"
wonderful horse" Workman sighed
"He have been," Atkinson agreed.
A MAN SAID "Ted when did you know Fool
going to be a great one?" And Atkinson replied:
when rode him in his first race 2-year-od did
something I'd bought leather Photographic
album really beautiful book and had his stamped on
the in gold I knew going to ride him and
wanted to keep record
Ted grinned ruefully did later in his talk "It
the hex to end all hexe he said Tom Fool got to coughing
in the spring as S-year-od didn't know if he'd
But he did in the fall of 50 and well, you
know the rest of the story"
you'll Fool won't you, Ted?" asked listener
Like I'd miss my right arm" Atkinson said "but don't
blame retiring him. He had worlds to con-
quer it ALL If he kept racing he might nave
been in an accident might have gotten beat Even
the great ones go fiat you.
tom. Fools quitting high note. That's the wayit
should be-"
LISTENING TO ATKINSON talking of Tom Fool, and
Workman and Whitney talking of Equpose wondered
how they'd Probably it would have been
beau thinking this led to another question:
would you regard Tom Fool savage horse? Atkn-
asked N Whitneys Equipose was regarded that
used that when another horse challenged
him at close quarters he would bite him.
"Tom Fool didn't bite any horses" Ted Sad "but he
didn't like to lose"
"Equipoise" Whitney admitted twas called savage
horse number taken down (disquaif1ed) on
couple of OCCASIONS didn't we, Sonny?"
Believe me-" Workman said "Equpoise never bit an
other horse in race in his life"
"Equipose took the rap kdded friend of the
WaShngtonb jockey "but really Workman who did
all the biting in those stretch dueS"
"AI right" conceded, "I did the biting Just
don't blame it on Equipose" Incidentally racing records
indicate rauggng Ekkys oense in each OF his
three diSquaifcatonS