Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-10
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
A Thouqht to Ponder

IN CALIFORNIA TOMORROW Silky Sullivan gets his
last test before shipping to Kentucky and the Derby
May Silky will be running in the Golden Gate but it
may not be precisely meaningful naSmuch as it's mile
race and the equine publicity hound, with a penchant
for oang half that distance may not get up in time.
It's happened.
the Louisville extravaganza 1t appropriate to pass
along some research nstgated by Mr. Brownie Leach of
Churchill Downs Since 1t is highly likely that Silky
Sullivan will be galloping dead last in the Derby field
until he decides to run. Mr. Leach felt it pertinent to
learn just how often this has been done by winner
this big social and sporting event.
Just in the last 81 runnings it develops and by
Calumet Farms Ponder in 1919 If it happened prior
to Ponder year only misty memories vouch for the
feat because only since 1908 complete charts show
Ing the positions of all Derby starters at each quarter
pole. kept
The odds much better for front-runners because
II horses have made every post winning one, Maine
Chance Farms Jet Pilot being the last in 1947 II Silky
runs his typical race, and If he wins, CALIFORNIA; darling
will be doing it the hard way.
THERE WERE IA STARTERS in the 40 Derby and
Ponder who the teSt but not considered the best
3-yearod in the Calumet barn. last Of the gate
Ponder still length behind the 18th horse the end
Of a half mile and 16 lengths back of the leader.
Even at threequarters Of mile Ponder had only two
horses beaten and running eight lengths behind the
front colt. 1t wasn't until the within the last
eighth Of mile that Ponder caught the leaders
When he did, however, he pulled away with to
win by three lengths.
pretty good horse called Bold Venture almost
matched Ponders feat back in 1896 when he out Of
the gate 18TH in front of only Gold Seeker But Bold
Venture moved up much more quickly than Ponder. At
the half mile b " only trailing other horses
He beat Brevity by head.
Ponders son. Needles only Florida bred to win the
Kentucky Derby his supporters few thrills for
their money in the 1856 running Needles in field Of
II horses and he ahead of only five at the start
BIG-BETTING FLORIDA crowd, mostly from Miami,
accustomed to Needles from behind technique
but the Gold Coasters had their doubts when after
half mile racing every the field except High
King had passed him.
Like Ponder the pride of Florida called in
front in the chart until he skinned under the finish wire
call that late has happened more than a couple Of
times Cavacade in 1884 got away 18th in field Of Is
and although he moved up rapidly he also didn't get
top call except at the WIRE
Cavacade's win almost identical to the 1893 race,
which by Brokers Tip. Here again. the eventual
winner broke 18th in 13horse field and ahead only
the last call.
That was memorable year-l933-in many respects.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt inaugurated the 3lst
President the airshp Akron fell into the of New
Jersey and killed 70 prohibition came to end and
Brokers Tip paid $l986 after of the widest stretch
battles in American racing history.
BROKERS TIP AND HEAD PLAY were the class Of
the field that afternoon and entering the stretch 1t was
Head Play by head Brokers Tip ranged alongside, and
down of the gandstand the two horses charged
Don Meade Brokers Tip and Herb Fisher on
Head Play who was bought by Mrs silas B. Mason for
$4,000 than 40 hours before the The two jockeys
wanted to win badly they swung their bats at each
other tugged at each others saddle cloths and bumped
mounts repeatedly.
At the end pandemonium reigned. So did Brokers
Tip, by head.
1t was the FIRST race Brokers Tip ever won. Also
the last.