Evening star., 1955-05-07
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV BY FRANCIS STANN


LOUISVILLE, MAY by the dawn's early light man,
not horse emerged from stall in Barn 10 at Churchill
Downs Meshach Adams Tenney brushed some wisps of
straw from his tightfttng trousers held by lavshy
svered belt adjusted his cowpoke
himself ready for what the 8st Kentucky Derby may bring
Tenney whose imposing handle usually is shortened to
Mickey, is one-third of the highyregarded Cali
forna colt Swaps although in fat authentic Western
tWang he asserts preference for merely being called the
trainer Tenney and Mr.. and Mrs Ellsworth own
third of Swaps winner of the Anita Derby and
possible third choice today behind Nashua and
Swaps, by the imported Khaed the only Derby entry
with human roommate. II could sleep in of them
fancy hotels downtown Tenney comedies the
tackroom here But like to be close my horse any
thing happens to him. it's going happen my dead
body" *#@5.
SWAPS STABLE is perhaps the most colorful on the
premises The colt himself is chestnut winner of six of
eight and soo5o but the unusual to be found in
his owners
Tenney and Ellsworth rode the ranges together as young
cowboys and finally atched onto couple of California
ranches. in Ontario and the other at Chino This is
their first Derby starter although Ellsworth bred Correspond
ent who finished fifth in 1858. Because of their
to big time racing at least in this section of the country
they have been getting an inaccurate press.
Tenneys first for instance appears in the Derby
brochure as Micaah THAT mimeographing machine shore
must have gone when it wrote that name Meshach
drawls 1t also is reported that Ellsworth paid 100000 for
the sire Khaled.
grns. That's what Khaed cost-s16O,0OO But don't
have any serious complaints Z
x ~
TENNEY AND ELLSWORTH moneyed these
days but they operate ugay Tenney all the plating
of the horses at the tracks and Ellsworth all the shoeng
of the horses thoroughbred and otherwise the ranches
This Tenneys first visit to Louisville but he knows
Churchill Downs few Others So does Swaps Whereas
the trainer takes Derby candidate out of the barn
only to work the track to Tenney has taken
Swaps the de luxe tour.
"It just that think horse ought to know where he's
operating" Tenney explains $50 walk. We visit the
stable and the track and this week took him to
watch Nashua work. ggerg Swaps might well what
he's got running against him"
How about crowds?"
II show the crowds to Swaps" Tenney says I walk him
In front of lot of people the grandstand he sort
of WELL get used to Easterners you might say"
IF SWAPS GETS PART of the Derby money he will in
all probability be cut up other horse in First
he's got three Then the traditional 10 cent to his
rider, Willie Shoemaker And finally the title.
Ellsworth and Tenney are practcng MormonS, members
of the Church Christ of the Latter-Day Saints
Ten per cent anything they goes the church AS
faithful Mormons they both have given than two
years of their lives to missionary work.
. Ellsworth spent nearly three years in South Africa
spreading the word Tenney devoted than two in
the Western States They had Mormon jockey named
Johnny Barton, but he wasn't to ride today.
johnny" Tenney says Hes on mission now himself
Out OF the country I'm pretty Meanwhile we've got
Shoemaker to ride. He may not be Mormon but he's
plenty of jockey
And the horSe?"
"Wiles got lot of horse. We think so, anyhow"