Evening star., 1955-05-30
ATCHISON'S
ANGLE
If Horses Could Only Talk
By LEWIS +. ATcHIsoN
IF NASHUA and Swaps Wer,

if they heavyweight przefghters, for example,
trackmen, golfers couple of musclebound weight
Hfters the atmosphere would be thick today with demands
for emach to decide whether Swaps Kentucky Derby vic
tory huke the real thing. There honest differ
of opinion among their supporters after NaShaus bril-
liant Preakness triumph at Pimico.
Maybe Nashua could tell what happened to him in the
Derby and how he felt after being forced to track
record to beat Saratoga in the PreakneS One almost
imagine the Belar Stud husky saying
Listen, you been to Louisville Derby Day enough to
know what happen to fellow there Just get that bum
back for anytime anywhereand I'll show you who Is
the fastest Why at Louisville :"
And California, imagine Swaps giving Nashua
the horelaugh and saying Oh yeah? Let him get
thing if he thinks he's that good
JOCKEY EDDIE ARCARO didn't help clarity the situation
with hghcla brand of double undoubtedly unnten
tona in the dressing after told
writer he didn't think Nashua would have beaten Swaps
Saturday. though he did set track record for the mile
sxeenths Later he told others he couldn't
the question about SwapsNashua return meeting
intelligently because Nashua too unpredctable.
But also told this reporter that Nashua would
have beaten the pace-makng Saratoga by five lengths
had another horse ahead of them in the stretch
I'VE would have left him and after the other Eddie
said
couldn't be matched even California track, and Cafor
MIA tracks notorousy fast The only thing that could
have been in front of him, it, is one of those elec
trica rabbits at the dog tracks.
GOLDEN GATE FIELDS fastest of all those cardboard
California tracks, reported world Fleet Bird,
credting the Calumet with 523 mile and three
sixeenths in October 1853 Fleet Bird getting 24pound
weight concession in oday Suburban Before his accomplish
ment American held by good Chale
don and Lucky Draw each running the distance in the
time Nashua
Challedon did it at Keeneland and Lucky Draw
tied later when he beat Armed at Mar
raganse Park The thought here that Nashua could have
by five additional lengths Arcaro sad and Swaps
faster colt contend the Preakness could
Golden Gate Fields.
1t difficult to believe Swaps could have beaten Nashua
Saturday again his supporters point out that he
in front all the in the Derby, onesixteenth of mile
longer than the Pco and even Acaro said Nashua
tried and faledno but several timesto catch him.
The only thing about all this that the debate over their
relative will continue until they meet again, possibly
in Chiacog in the American Derby.
KENTUCKY DERBY victory, of course, is the dream
of every owner trainer and jockey 1t virtually makes
the racing and breeding fraternity But victory at
necessarily of greatness for horSemen
remember all too well numerous fuke wins in the Derby
example, the 1888 triumph of Brokers Tip who
another race That's the one In which Don Meade
OH the Fisher Head Play literally fought
it with their whips through the finish Then there was
Gaahadan's at 35 to in 1910 Bimelech, the
2to-5 favor the victories of Count Turf who
amounted much after that brief moment of glory.
The older heads want to more of Swaps in tough COM
petition and against Nashua again. The latter has shown
ability under all conditions at short and long dis
and bad tracks, and in strange and familiar
territory Whether Swaps stand up under similar cam
paigning is a question.
UNLIKE OTHER SPORTS, owners and trainers can't
up for couple of red hot box office attractions
like this pair They must look and wait for that suits
their distance and location and it makes
difference they 10 fans 10 Million their take Is
the prescribed in the stakes book
Nashua whatever you may say about him, is one OF
the most exciting horses along long while. In
they for him heartily they did for Babe
Ruth, Jack Dempsey other sports idol and the cheers
wholly financial The fans seem TO like the
way says Okay boys help yourself to the track and III
go get you"
said the Preakness different from any Of
To ride
There little "ham actor" in the Belar colt, desire
his picture taken at nish although he was i'm
patient skip postrace Preaknes ceremony he
champion in putting out just enough to whip the
field and Such ability the mark Of true greatness
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