Evening star., 1960-05-07
Muddy Track May Boost
BaIIy Aches Derby Bid
Field Cut to Is
As HiIIsborouqh
Is Scratched

LOUISVILLE, May 7 CAP)
The field was trimmed to 13,
the track was muddy and the
weather chilly, damp and
dreary as the expected crowd of
100000 began strolling into
Churchill Downs today for the
86th running of the Kentucky
Derby.
The owners and hackers of
Bally Ache. a big strong horse
that has been second choice in
the early lines, were outright
IJubilant about the track condi-
tions. The horse has done well
in poor weather.
Backers of favored Tompion
were less than enthusiastic
about the overnight weather
change. Tompion forces all
along have hoped for a speedy
racing strip.
The field was cut by one
early this morning when
Trainer Jimmy Jones scratched
HillSborough, Calumet Farms
hope for an eighth Derby win
ner.
Il want no part of that
going" said Jones. I'VE might
have started had the track re-
mained dry. but in that mud,
nothing doing"
A heavy overnight rain made
the track muddy although
trainers reported after gallop-
ing their horses that the strip
had firm bottom.
Race on TeIevision
The forecast was for clearing
skies by post time for the big
race, $50 pm. But the tenn
perature was not expected to
go much past so. A slow
track-at the best-was the
prediction.
The race will be televised
and broadcast nationally
(CBS) with TV set for 5:l5-
5:45 pm. and radio for
i 5:30-5:45 (WTOP-9 and
WTOP in Washington.
Bally Ache has shown that
he improves on a muddy track.
He could well go off as the CO.
tavorite, especially since this
front-running son of Ballydam
gets under way from the ia
vorable No. 3 post position.
Bob Wheeler, trainer of c. v.
Whitney's Tompion, was not
quite so happy, but said philos-
ophically:
I'VE came here to run. and
run we will. Tompion has per-
formed we'll on an off track,
! but we would have preferred
dry going"
A question as to whether
ailing Henrijan would start
: brought this comment from
Trainer Farrell Jones:
Had Fever Yesterday
They will start the horse"
His they" referred to the
youthful owners, Mr.. and Mrs.
r Henry Elmore of Canoga Park,
Calf.
! Henrijan, who had been
5 running a fever and still has a
| protective bandage around his
neck, took a short gallop this
morning. He appeared i'm
proved over yesterday. Jones
said he would prefer not to
start the California Derby run
nerup for fear of permanent
injury but appeared to have
been overruled.
With 13 starters, the Derby
has a gross value of Sl58,85O
and a net to the winner of
Sll4,850. For any scratch, sub
tract the Sl,25O starting fee.
Four Jockeys Rode Winners
Only four of the jockeys ever
have been up on a Derby win
!. ner. Willie Shoemaker, who'll
ride Tompion. won last year
with Tony Lee and in 1854 with
/ Determine. Bill Hartack will
seek his second aboard Isaac
Blumberg's Venetian Way. Har-
tack won in 1857 with Iron
Liege.
ISmael Valenzuela scored
with Tim Tam two years ago.
He'll handle the reinS of Liam
gollen Farms Divine Comedy.
Steve Brooks goes after No. 2
on Lurullah. His winner was
Ponder in 1949.
For Bob Ussery, his ride
aboard Bally Ache will be his
first in a Derby.
But outside of Tompion,
Bally Ache, Venetian Way and
E. P. Taylor'S Canadian-owned
Victoria Park, there isn't much
class in the field.