The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-05-16

night to go, to the post. but the scratches were expected to reduce the field to twelve and possibly ten or eleven. At all events it was cer- tain to be the smallest derby held since 1922, when only ten went to the post in the race won by Morvicn. The doubtful starters were up, Don Leon, the Mongo1, Anchors Aweigh and Prince D'Amour.
 For the first time in five years fair day and fast track seemed as- sured for the derby. Unless the weather forecast goes awry. Clear skies and a dry track will bring back some of the splendor and pageantry of derby day after five years of for bidding weather. [.
 Also in the Running @ Outside of the two favorites, the outxtanding contenders were Equi- noise. a question mark because Of the uncertainty of his condition; Pittsburgher, the Vests chief hope; Ladder. which ran third to Mate and Twenty Grand in the Preakness; and Boys Howdy, favorite with the long shots players. Those who believe in the law of averages think that an outsider Will come laundering down the home stretch to capture the mile ana q quarter grind. It has been seven years since long shot won the derby, and five of the last seven years the favorite has come home m front, and in the other two years inc second choice was victorious Zey. Paying 19-1 in 1923, was the last long shot winner.
 The opinion of most horsemen. however, is that class will tell ana Twenty Grand and Mate will stage their Preakness duel over again.
 II have only Twenty Grand to beat" said Big Jim" Healy, Mates 5 Mate was going handily at the finish of the Preakness. and I see no reason why he shouldn't repeat. said George Ellis, who will have the leg on Mate. "
 Confidence
 "We experienced quite oit or trouble in the Preakness, saiu .Jockey Charley kurtsinger, who Will ride Twenty Grand. And am sure that Twenty Grand is the best horse, with better luck and the longer dls, t.nce I am confident Twenty Grand will do it.'' Mate and Equipoise are the only two horses we have to beat, saiu Jimmy Rowe, Greentree stables Derby deyotees who have had Thousands of dollars worth Of nnery ruined during the rains of the past five years on the day of the race looked forward to-day to paraolns once more in brilliant sunshine. me handicapped lawns at Churchill Dowhs were gay with colorful tnrohg.
 
 personages. Mayor Jimmy walker ne New York city was expected and Mayor Anton Cermak of Chicago was an early morning arrival. !
 .. A Little Gossip
 Getting back to the race, here are some of the things you hear: .,.
 IA horse with two names VIII win because six of the last seven winners have had double names (BJack Gold, Flying Ebony, Bub- hing Over, Reign Count, Clyde VanDusen, Gallant Fox). Nine or the Is named to start have two names, including Twenty Grand.
 2-Equipoise will be either the biggest surprise or the biggest ois- appointment of the race. If EQui- p,pise does not win or make a cred table showing he will be retired un- iii the Saratoga Springs, N. l., meeting. No one seems to know for sure just what Equipoise's condition is. .,,
 s-That Earl Sande, who will broadcast the race, would mean cer- tain victory for either Mate or Twenty Grand were he in the saddle to-day instead of in a little press coop on top of, the stands. The con sensus is that the crop of jockeys Is poor and that poor riding may cost somebody the race.