1957 Pre-Derby Tom

Transcript (Download)

I'll be around here tomorrow.

I'll talk to you later.

Fitt, how does it feel to be back here at Churchill Downs after being away for so many years? Well, it feels very nice to be back here, especially with the prospect of winning the Kentucky Derby.

Do you think there was a prospect of your horse, Bo Reuler, winning the Triple Crown as the Galantocks in Omaha, which you have trained? Yes, I do think so.

I think he's got a really good chance.

I believe he might win the Derby tomorrow, and if he does, then we'll go from there to the Preakness and then the Ballerone.

But we always got to hope for that.

Fitt, in your opinion, who is the greatest horse that you have ever trained? Well, I believe Narsha was.

I did think Galantocks wasn't until Narsha came along, but Narsha was the best three -year -old of the year, and Galantocks wasn't.

And then he was the best three -year -old, and so was Galantocks.

But Galantocks didn't race after three -year -old.

So I would have to say that I think Narsha was the best of the two.

He was the best one I've had.

Fitt, and good luck with Ballerone.

Thank you, sir.

That's the way up in the corner there.

Johnny Neward, after Galant Man's brilliant performance in the Wood Memorial...

Johnny Neward, after Galant Man's brilliant performance in the Wood Memorial, what do you think his chances are in the Derby? Well, if he runs that race back, he certainly has a chance.

Ballerone would beat him in that race, but of course we all have excuses.

That was Galant Man's first time over distance to ground, and it should help him.

We have no alibi.

You got a puppet? Okay, one more here.

This is your first horse that you've trained so far in the Derby, isn't it? Johnny, this is the first horse you've trained for the Derby.

What do you think his chances are? Well, it's the first time I've fortunate enough to have a horse like this to train.

We hope he has a good chance.

It's often a tough race, but we're going to do the best we can, hope for the best.

Thank you, Johnny, and good luck.

Identifier

F.2012-03-0607

Date Of Production

May 3 1957

Abstract

This film shows Thomas Koza interviewing trainers before the 1957 Kentucky Derby.

Description

The film begins with an interview with James E. Fitzsimmons (Mr. Fitz), Hall of Fame trainer, discussing his previous Derby winners and the chances of his horse, Bold Ruler (a Racing Hall of Fame horse), in "tomorrow's" race (May 4, 1957). Mr. Fitz was the trainer of 13 Horse Racing Triple Crown winners during his career. The next scene includes an interview with John A. Nerud, Hall of Fame trainer, discussing the chances of his horse, Gallant Man (a Racing Hall of Fame horse). This was John Nerud's first Kentucky Derby. Gallant Man finished second when its jockey, Bill Shoemaker, misjudged the finish and stood up in the stirrups prematurely. The owner of Gallant Man was Ralph Lowe, evidenced by the blanket worn by Gallant Man. The film concludes with shots of horses exercising on the track, Churchill Downs betting windows, and cleanup of the grounds in preparation for race day.

Run Time

0:08:03

Format

16mm

Extent

291 feet

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Negatives

Genre

Sports
Journalism

Form

Interviews

Subject

Horses
Racing
Sports

Related Collections

SUBSERIES II: Sports

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Kentucky

Distributor

Illinois Bell Telephone Company

Main Credits

Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

Participants And Performers

Fitzsimmons, James E. (is interviewee)

Nerud, John A. (is interviewee)

Koza, Thomas (is interviewer)

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