Evening star., 1961-04-03
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV By FRANCIS STANN
The Clock Moved Backward


HALLANDALE, Fla, April 3-"One thing I'll say for
the horse Johnny Sellers said lis that stronger
the finish than he after any rode him How
can help but like him to win the Kentucky Derby?"
This in the Hospitality Suite of the Diplomat East
the night after the $115OO Florida Derby Sellers
icate, uncommonly tall young man for a Jockey was
speaking of Carry Back, the winner
Sellers had dropped up the Hospitality Suite fancy
tag for pressroo after his mounts stirring head victory
over Crozer in Gufsream Parks 10th classic With Johnny
were Mr. and Mrs Jack Price, the of the Florida
bred colt
Your horse must have an unusually long neck OF
head, racing writer commented lightly to Price What
he did to Crozer in the Famngo Derby fantastic"
You know, never noticed If his neck any longer
than the average horSe Price deadpanned He turned
man from of the turf sheets. Would there be any
statistics something like thatP"
The other looked surprised. He couldn't be sure If
Price, relative newcomer to racing, kidding NO"
he replied I'VE don't that far. But maybe should"
THOSE WHO COVER the racing beat had the eerie
sensation Saturday of watching time being moved back
ward. Few, If any, times in history have two
involving the same two horses been alike Haeahs
Flamingo Stakes and GufStreams Florida Derby. 1t
as II time machine had turned back calendar and clock
to February 25 Or if the Famngo had been
Video tape
In the Flamingo Fred w. Hooper's Crozer took the
lead at the top of the stretch-both mile
and an eighth-and Carry Back ranging behind and
moving Then, yards from the wire, Garry Back caught
Crozier and won by head.
In the Gulfstream the circumstances were almost
identical The only difference that Garry Back, in
stead of being second had Beau Prince pass
he did and he beat Crozier again by head.
"He could have gone another eighth easily" Sellers
said at the hotel The Kentucky Derby distance calls for
one more furlong I'VE would have opened daylight in
another eighth"
do you share this opinion?" man asked Price.
"Who should know better than Sellers?" countered
Price HE rides the horse I'm the guy who waits for the
check"
SOMEBODY IN THE room thought he noticed that
Carry Back moved his left foreleg sify he to
the winners circle "If he hurt himself" Price said IT
didn't notice it, He's the kind of horse that would
with hurt leg anyway"
Mrs Price took the empty highban glass from her
husbands fist and set it cocktail table. Jack" she
urged quietly I'VE have guests waiting us outside our
room and forgot my key"
Il have mine" Price said extending it, "Il be along
shortly"
Together" said Mrs. Price small blond woman with
orchid pinned to her shoulder.
Gall right" Price said But about my horse being
hurt it took three to hot walk him in the barn.
They took 1Omnute turns. That's how strong he felt
Hurt horses don't do that, do they?"
The other said he doubted it,
"You never really know how horse comes out until
the next day. anyway added Price who also listed
Carry Backs trainer
PROVIDED THE small plain looking colt with the long
tail acts fresh Price intends ship him to York for
the Wood Memorial April o. IF he tired I'll send
him to Pmlico for the Preakness and skip the Wood he
said Carry Back like Crozier and Beau Prince is nomi
mated for the Kentucky Derby Preakness and Belmont
Stakes.
This guy sounds like man who is trying to pick up
every dollar he possible" whispered Of
the group He only spent $7OO to get Garry Back
over $475000 already"
well, what would you do if he we're your horse?"
somebody whispered back Then aloud: Mr. Price what
about your rider in the coming up? Will he still
be Sellers?"
The 53year-old retired machinery manufacturer from
Cleveland now South Mamian looked the room
to where Sellers had drifted. Thats good question: he
replied II don't have anything in writing with Sellers.
AS matter of fact told Johnny he could ride for
Calumet in the Florida Derby, being he's been on
many of their horses
told him, If you find horse you think is better
than Carry Back, just right ahead all want is
weeks notice"
Jack" reminded Mrs. Price we've got to 60"
AT THE DOOR Price plucked at the Jockeys coat
sleeve You want to stay with the horse Sellers? You
could have ridden Beau Prince instead Arcao you
Is there another one you'd prefer?"
Sellers turned thin, solemn face toward the owner
See WIN, LOSE OR DRAW, Page Ala