Evening star., 1928-05-20

were forced to stand out tle-e IN tne
open and take 1t. ,.ri,,ronb
The race was as much OF a eAi1ii!pn e.lil,a
for Chick Lang one OF Amerlca7s ti"tie ~
aces. as 1t was for Reign Co m I. n!S
,,o,,nt champion 2-year-oId OF 1927
lang rode a mastery race. He :LIGWeo
Blackwood, Misstep and Marty FNnn
to set the early pace and then, cohi
ing from behind, caught Misstep IN
stretch and raced shoulder to SitouI-
der. nose to nose, as If the two morse
were locked together.
When the barrier shot up a f0i
minutes after 5 o'clock, the yeilS OF n
| Jockeys could be heard above the
| deatflly silence urging their mounts
forward as they attempted to get the
advantage of the break. MiSstep with
| Jockey Willie Garner on his back got
away In front with Distraction second
and Reigh Count breaking third.
B!ackwoOd in Lead.
In twinkiing the onrushing mass of
horses was laundering down the track
past the grandstand and headed for the
first turn. The pounding of % sets of
hoofS became a roar of distant thunder
which was gradually drowned out by
the yells of thousands in the stands.
AS the % thoroughbreds swept past
the stands for the first time BlackwOod
was leading by two lengths, with Mis-
step second and Marty Flynn third. In
the back stretch Reign Count came out
| from behind the pack, and with Jockey
Lang vigorously applying the whip
began to close IN on the leaders.
Lang was cro1ched low on his mount
and seemed to be talking to him. urging
him to greater effort. Seemingly Mrs
, Hertz entry responded for. as he passed
around the turn and into the stretch. he
was running strongly and gaining inch
by inch on MiSstep.
Mud splattered from the heels of the
thoroughbreds onto those behind them
| and onto frantic spectators huggins
| the inside rail. As the horses came
near to the finish Lang on Reign Count
/ and Garner on MiSStep began applying
| the whip. In the stretch MiSStep was
ON the inside. with Reign Count on the
| outside Misstep hung on for a Sec
ond as they raced shoulder to shoulder
| and then Reign Count moved into the
| lead under Lang's urgings. Toro came
on like streak. making gallant
| finish.
Increases Lead Near End.
The last hush Of the crowd was sud-
/ den as the horses made the drive for
the wire. Reigh Count. carrying the
bulk Of the pubIic'S money. was making
his final. determined bid for victory
The thrilled spectators held their
tTeath in fearful wonder as Reign
Count began to make good his reDuta-
ticu as champion 2-yoar-oId of 1927.
Lang. applying the whip, began tC
hfc 1anA eySkh firm rS~
Then the sighs Of the crowd gave way
to a deepening roar IS Reign Count
his dsanks bespattered with mud, cross
cd the line winner Of the derby.
Mrs. Hertz owner Of the triumphant
horse, was shaking. unable to speak
when she was called to the judges
stand to receive the floral tribute and
the congratulations. AL she could
say was Just 10 words:
Il thank you on behalf Of Mr.. Hert'
and myself"
Tears were IN her eyes.
Chick Lang, the triumphant jockey
was happy. So was MFR. Hertz who
followed his wife into the judges stand
"Happy-weil III say I am" said
Larsg
The sandy-haired, brOwn-eyed youth,
whose face was covered with mud
these words.
He had lust shaken hands with Gov
Flem ID. Sampson of Kentucky. re-
ceived q friendly Dat from Mrs. Hertz,
received the plaudits Of the crowd. In
getting from the judges stand to the
Jockeys home. he ran most Of the way.
Is Resident of Maryland.
Asked why he ran. Chick said: Il
was just so happy that I could not do
anything but run
7 have achieved my life's ambi-
tion,- the 23-year-old Lad, who is now
resident of Maryland. said.
IT have always wanted TO win the
Derby and 7 believed would this year
when was given Reign Count to ride.
While many doubted the little red
colts ability to run in the mud I be-
came more and more conAdent, and
when We went out ON the track felt
sure that my life ambition was to be
realized"
Chick is married. having married a
Maryland girl, Virginia Mayberry.
And VIII she be happy-well, guess
she will." Chick said smiling
His wife did not set to see him lead
the Hertz colt to the tape.
It Is understood he Is 10 get $4,000
automobile and $4,000 from Mrs. Hertz
for winning the race.
Mr.. Hertz said he thought Reigh
Count was the greatest 3-year-old in
America today and one Of the greatest
in a good many years.
MY trainer. Mr. Mitchell. also thinks
so" he said. Reign Count win not be
raced TO death. but will fil limited
number of engagements in which We
hope he viii meet any of the leading s.
a d. lar.
to ship him to Belmont Park next week
if we and that he came out of the