Evening star., 1960-04-25
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
Not What 1t Used to Be

ASA KENTUCKY DERBY barometer the Wood Memo
rial once upon time widely respected and was in fact
considered the first big sophomore in the East
Hardly this year Francis S. the winner and favore isn't
even nominated for the Louisville classic.
What happened to the Wood is puzzing Since its
inception in 1925 always supported ody by Eastern
racing establishments with the result that half dozen
Derby winners came off the Wood meaning Gallant Fox
Twenty Grand, Johnstown Hoop Jr, Count Fleet and
Assault.
Three of em-Count Fleet, Gallant Fox and Assault
also the Triple other good winners
who failed in the Derby-Native Dancer Nashua, Bold
Ruler Phaanx-came back to top the fields
in their years
No amount of pressure apparently sufficient to
save the Woods prestige this year. Sonny Whitney didn't
ship Tompon winter book favorite Greentree Stable an
Eastern standby sent its two Derby hopefHs Weathewse
and Ooweekin to Louisville. After mopping up in
Florida Bally Ache skipped New York and to
Vile Warfare of course hurt and of the picture So
1t developed today Weatherwise who has bruised heel
%%#
OVER THE WEEK END, however at least two horses
earned Kentucky trips One Never Give In second to
Francis s., and the other Noble Moor winner of the
California Derby Noble Noors owners Dr. and Mrs
j. r. Smith of San Luis Rey committed themselves before
the IF he wins he goes DR. Smith said But today
the learned his colt had been hurt Saturday and
can't at Louisville
The California Derby, like the Wood, was a mile and
a eighth and Noble Moor clocked in 1:49 a second
faster than Francis SIS time at Aqueduct but carried only
12O pounds the Derby weight 126 for
There might have been different ending for the
Wood Edward hadn't had the poor taste
to be suspended Arcaro usually rides Never Give In of
Maine Chance and does we'll the ylishybred colt But
with Arcaro grounded Bobby USSery rode,
Ussery no green hand-he is Baly Aches rider Incl
denallybut either Bobby the horse gave Willie Shoe
maker and Francis S. break the back stretch when
Never Give In bore out and left Shoemaker hole The
odds that Never Give In making only his third start
this year. is not precisely Schooed.
ALL WEEK Mr.. Robert Fulton Kelley, the loose -mbed
pubcst of the New York Racing Association had tried to
drum up interest in the Wood barking back to when
Assault Kelley, writing from his home base quoted
Jimmy Klroe. New Yorks racing secretary and recently
Cassidy.
Don't turn your back this yet" Kroe spoke
Remember 1946 and Assault guess you could call Assault
a sleeper. He the Wood and paid better than $l9
And you know he went from there"
Kroe and Kelley touting Never Give In, who is
by Robert Sterling ClarkS Never Say Die American
bred and owned winner of the 54 English Derby He is
of of Mrs Elizabeth Arden) GrahamS best Mares
the brilliant Myrtle Charm fily champion of 948
STILL it's hard to get excited colt lightly raced
this year that two sXfurlong events and the Wood in
which he lost the lead comprise all of his activity
IF THE FIRM of Kilroe and Kelley isn't any more
accurate about Never Give In than about the Hrsch-
trained Zenith then it is in bad shape Kroe singled
Zenith King Ranch colt finely bred by famous British
stallion Hyperion out Of Timed Max may have another
sleeper in the of Assault the preWood word
Zenith a sleeper, all right, last Saturday But he
forgot to wake up finishing dead last matter
Ay Vanderbts colt Idoater wound up in ninth position
This is the dark that people felt might pick
where AlfyS Native Dancer left off
Meanwhile, back at Bay Meadows in California the
betors were taking licking when " Lark got nowhere
They backed T. " Lark down to 35 avorite he fin
shed badly beaten fifth packing the weight as
Noble Moor.