Evening star., 1955-05-09
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW BY FRANCE, ,7.uu
The Mornind After

Derby and in the barn behind bacstretch hosemen
were looking their colts making plans ship them
elsewhere In Swaps stall the racing writers and
photographers gathered III tribute to the Calfornians
Importance and sound out Owner Rex Ellsworth and
Trainer Meshach Tenney.
Ellsworth and Tenney born day apart At years ago
and friends since they Old getting
pitches to remain in the East instead of taking Swaps back
10 California Ellsworth. lean, impaSsve who talks
like Jimmy Stewart, the movie actor being button
holed by Lou Pondheld general manager of Pimlico.
How about shipping for the Preakness?" Pondfed
pleaded. You've still got time to It's purse
and at your mercy. You'll have the
Look I've even got entry blank. All you've got to do
is sign it,"
We'll" Ellsworth drawled I'VE didn't plan on it, We're
shipping to California tonight"
It's shame" Pondhed argued mot to show your good
horse in the East Determine prestige year
winning the skipped the Preakness and Belmont
and didn't get near the credit he deserved"
Determine didn't beat horse like colt beat" Ellis
Road
PONDFlELD SHRUGGED hopeessly. IF you change
your mind. " His voice traied off,
I'll tell you" Ellsworth said, after deliberation, IF
Swaps could in both the Preaknes and the Belmont
ship East. we had been as sure when it came time
to nominate for the Belmont that had this good colt
we'd have planned differently.
AS it is" he added got other horses back home
to look after we'd negecting them for this one"
How many horses?" asked a reporter.
In trainng?" Ellsworth queried. I'D guess maybe SO
Mesh tell you"
Tenney had just emerged from dusty gray Ford The
trainer the tight-ttng jeans hghheeled boots and
big hat, which by now had become familiar costume.
I'VE had 81 horses in training when left California
with this colt he said to Ellsworth.
lhatS approximate his partner agreed. Althoush'
he added speaking to Tenney have thnned out
little you left
TENNEY, WHO HAD BEEN sleeping in the stall with his
horse all during Derby Week slept in his Ford after the
Derby Fingered Swaps earned the stall to himself he
said so just parked my heap in front of the horse and
took my snooze"
Don't you hotel room?"
"Wel" Tenney said sit don't pay get too comfortable
Then you don't get things done Shucks, mans tired
enough, he sleeps anywhere"
reporter asked Ellsworth:
whats so special about those California
that demands attention and keeps you from the
Preakness?"
worth full brother of Swaps He looks better
right than Derby colt at the same stage. Maybe
read good but those three-eghh
at Santa Anita don't tell story He's big rangy
don't let whip young horses OUT
there he hasn't really been awakened yet"
AS THE KNOT OF REPORTERS talked to Ellsworth and
Tenney, blue automobile stopped and the lone occupant
said Say fellows looking for Nashua and Summer
Tan, they're in the next barn"
Sheriff. Ward, it wearing bemused look. Ward is
Summer Tan trainer and Nashua handlers he had
been the most interviewed horseman durg Derby Week
There goes swell guy" Tenney said Sheriff. drove
Hear his colt developed more heat in one ankle
Maybe can't go in the Preakness"
1t had been generally known that Summer Tan who
finished third had hot ankle prior to the Derby
Rex reporter asked Ellsworth, did Swaps run the
Derby according to plan?"
I'm sense Ellsworth said 1--WE hadn't planned to
lead from wire to wire but the wasn't fast at the
start Willie Shoemaker almost had to in front We
talked to Willie about this possibility and so it was up to
him. Did hear somebody that it was the fastest last
half in Derby hiStory?"
YES" racing writer. 1--WE understand the fastest
until Swaps ran was 494. Your colt did it in 492"
I'VE RAN NASHUA'S race" Ellsworth mused. He was
well placed just he likes to be. Ike my horse for
beating Nashua at his race
AT Nasnuas John Fitzsimmons, son OF the famed
Sunny Jim and Bart Sweeney accepted defeat cheerfuy
as humans do when length and half meant the dill
ference $25O second money and first prize OF
$lOS4OO
Il talked to Dad in New York after the race" John
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