Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-02
WIN, LOSE OR
DKAW By FRANCIS srAAA
The Trial and TribuIotion

smell
the cologne of the barn behind the backStretch
Churchill Downs The crude fires licked under coffee pots
and warmed the hands of trainers Jockeys exercise boys and
grooms in the cold of the early morning.
Under the roof of Barn No. TO- where Nashua and his
conqueror Swaps housed year ago, Trainer Hugh
Fontane led out the socaed big The colt Needles
dark bay, clean and trim He sufficiently handsome
2yearod to be judged the best colt in the Florida
Breeders show in January, 1855.
Fonaine is gnarled of 81 who thick glasses
and flew wing Eddie Rckenbacker in World War Needles
is the first starter he will have saddled in Kentucky Derby
Prior to 1880 he concentrated polo ponies and jumpers
"Okay Dave?" he called out Dave Erb, Needles regular
rider nodded and got boosted into the saddle Slowly Fon
tame led the way his pony headed for the track
81 that colt work three days ago." byStander said
"Took 'em half an hour to make him break"
THIS MORNING NEEDLES was on his good behavior He
galloped approximately mile and half Later, back
the barn. Erb said:
This strange colt He's got a mind that's almost
human Not today of but most Of the time you've
got to prod him to start work."
What about when he comes out of the box in a real
racer" man asked.
"Oh for you" Dave said st wouldn't say he is
mean colt but he's got mind of his own"
AS Needles walked with odd reluctance onto the main
track he passed the Calumet encourage led by Jones
his pony Plain Ben from Parne Mo-, winner of half
dozen Derbys had just exercised his Pntor Waiting for
Needles to stretch his legs group OF visitors converged
upon Jones and his son, Jimmy in Barn No. 49,
"IT WAS GOOD WORK." the elder Jones conceded.
eighths in 1O jimmy here doing most of the training
Ask him."
Jimmy said, Zone more work and if he pulls up okay
again Pintor will run"
when will you know definitely" Jimmy was asked
well, it might take the whole week., he said. Dad" he
called, wouldn't you say SOP"
Probably take the whole week." Ben drawled
1t considered important by the pulse-feeers that
Pntor Lea be At If Calumet would have entry
Lea and Fabius that might threaten the favorsm
Needles and of the Whitney entry of Career Boy and
Head Man.
Ben" visitor asked "if Fabus has to go his own
do you like his chanceS?"
"In the Derby or the Trial?" Jones said.
well, both"
81 have good hopes for him." the cautious reply
IT to split Pintor Lea and Fabus Shucks while
Fabus hasn't any great distance he's by Citation
had horse that distance better than Citation"
IN BARN NO. Is Trainer Syl Veitch talking about
work by Career Boy, rangy, almost black colt who
rated at least the equal of Needles 2year odd While
groom washed Career Boys right hind foot Vetch sad
-Four days ago I'd have said there wasn't
for him in the Derby don't know how he got Maybe
1t was piece of gravel that got stuck in his hoof and got
infected.
I'VE lucky" Vetch added 1--WE didn't know Just
where he hurt But had to cut into the
hit l00to- shot The cut just right An inch to
side the other and we'd have to cut again maybe keep
cutting quite few times Happens the first cut
tunate guess The hoof is little soft pouces
but it'll harden by Saturday"
Nearly everybody" man said seems confident You
Ben Jones Hugh Fontaine."
That's the only way to feel" Veitch replied q" you
going to keep your mind in this business"
NOW 1T WAS NEARLY nine hours later and the field
for the Derby Trial minced onto the track Missing
Needles and Pntor Lea Boy and Terrang and
few Others but nonethees 1t considered race to watch
Dark Star used springboard to the Derby SO and
Hill Gail in 81 And before those two Citation in 49,
The winner has just flashed under the wire It's Fabus
by length Countermand with Head Man third and
obviously Ben Jones has live to for the
Saturday Pretty good time too considering that the track
was only rated good" Fabius 1868 only second
and short change slower than Hasy Roads record
Al 1t showed me-" muttered a press box observer sis
that Career Boy will have to the Derby Head Man
isn't the horse As matter Of fact considering that he was
almost left at the post liked Countermand better"
There was thing called Black Emperor that went OF
At II to and Just missed closing to beat Head Man He
Just might be worth considering for price the Derby
This is what the Trial makes one say