Evening star., 1955-05-05
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW > FRANCE, .,14uu
Mr.. Fitz and the Derbies

LOUISVILLE MAY 5-From a corner stall of barn 16
behind the backsretch Nashua pacdy watched Churchill
Downs awake The familiar fires boiling coffee
for the swpes and exercise boys off pungent odor
perfect Kentucky morning those handling the Derby
favorite were at peace with the world.
Nashua had already gaoped and then logged around the
track which surprise inasmuch the day before
he had worked mile in 1877 and change Hes all
horse" Bill -McCleary explained "Afer that mile you
what he did? Came back to the stall and slept solid four
hours, which is long sleep for horse"
McCeary is Nashuas exercise boy and groom. He
saddle soapng front the STALL swapping talk with
early rising and with Bart Sweeney and
John Ftzsimmons Nashuas assistant trainers The who
really the big horse Sunny Ftzsmmons is home
in New York and is literally push-button trainer
JOHN FITZsINIMONs of the of the soon-to-be
trainer sadded three Derby winners in Gallant
1880. Omaha 1935) and Johnsown l93s) telling
why Mr. Fz would not be on hand Saturday for the Slst
Derby.
had virus" John explained "and his doctor
advised against making the trip We talk the phone at
Sweeney. amable Irishman with a brogue, said
John Mr. Fitz by elevision set Saturday as for
he will be- he'll be seeing his first Derby winner, maybe
Ftzsmmons face lighted BY gosh that's right" he
said Dads of his horses run IN Derby
You're joking "a reporter accused
mo-" John said Im not joking. Let me tell you ABOUT
Dad and his Derby horses"
IN GALLANT Foxs year Mr. Fitz saddled his colt and
recalled dad tried to get into the winners circle
cop horseback didn't recognize the old gentleman and sad
where do you think you're going?"
"'Wel, Dad said, I just thought I'd the winner
"'Get away ordered the policeman, and Dad, being the
sort of person he is obeyed
didn't Omaha win either but in Johnstowns year
they provided him with box seat He could fine until
field left the gate Then everybody in front of him stood
up or climbed chairs didn't Johnstown any
more than he did Gallant Fox and Omaha"
How about his horses that did not win the Derby?"
asked John.
Same story 36 saddled Granville stood in the
nfed Negro who had climbed on top platform
Tho He Dad was
disappointing experience This boy kept yelling Fitz is
on top Fitz still in the lead. Fitz wins by head
thought he had winner. Later he found out that
his ride Jimmy Stout coming out of the
gate and that he was running by himself"
JOHN GRINNED wryy at the memory then said:
But it made any difference to the old boy He
always sweated and planned to get horse into shape and
when the put the jockey boosted aboard
Dad always said
"Well there's nothing I do now That's why
think he'll get bang out of watching Nashua televon
from York. Provided, of course, he wins"
do you think your horse will win?"
why don't you let somebody else answer that question:
John parried, amiably.
He'll win" McCeary said You may be able to throw
blanket Summer Tan and Swaps but this ones
nose will be in front" exercise ridergroom tipped
thumb his shoulder pointing to the bay colt
That's the way you pick em-l-2-3?" newsman asked
That's right" McCleary said. After those three .
WELL herel different horse races ThereH be Nashua
Summer Tan Swaps and the others in prac-
tcaly another race"
SWEENEY LAUGHED. "You ought to know about two
different races he gently needed McCleay Te about the
time YOU rode in the Derby. in 1925, wasn't it?"
McCleary laughed. That's right. Gussie Busch, the
brewer had thing called Chief Uncas and was up He was
- See WIN LqSE OR DRAW Page c.