Horse with a Date

Jet Pilot had kept a year-old date with the Kentucky Derby.

Just one year ago, on Derby Day, he ran the first race of his career, and romped home nine lengths ahead. But only a few saw him do it. It was the first race of the day, run off at high noon, a time when most Derby fans are still at breakfast (annoying waitresses by calling them "honeychile" in phony Southern accents), being accosted by the "three-card monte" players near the stables, or having their first mint julep of the day at the Churchill Downs bar.

Even Jet Pilot's owner, Cosmetiqueen Elizabeth Arden, was almost too preoccupied to notice his debut. Her thoughts at the 1946 Derby were on her highly touted entry, Lord Boswell, Knockdown, Perfect Bahram, who were to carry her colors in the big race--but finished out of the pari-mutuel money. But some who saw Jet Pilot's debut said sagely: "There's the winner of next year's Derby."

Trainer Tom Smith thought so too. Last week, Silent Tom had only two words to say about Jet Pilot's chances: "We'll win." To Jockey Eric Guerin his instructions were: "Get on that Duffy [get the lead] and nurse him home."

Jockey Guerin did just that. Out in front from the start, Jet Pilot was tiring as he entered the stretch. Jockey Guerin resisted an urge to sting Jet Pilot's chestnut rump with the whip--he remembered that Jet Pilot didn't take kindly to whipping (and Owner Arden disapproves too). The result was the closest Derby finish in eleven years. From far behind, the 2-to-1 favorite, Phalanx, Eddie Arcaro up, came up strong and was only a head behind Jet Pilot at the end. Another head back was Faultless. California's big hope, On Trust, was a close fourth. The time, over an off track: 2:06 4/5.

Jet Pilot topped off his big day by doing what humans sometimes dream of but rarely try: he kicked an unwary policeman in the seat of the pants.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.