The Washington times., 1931-04-16
WHITNEY ACE.
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By TOM THORP

EAVRE DE GRACE, Md, April
16.-Is Equipoise going to prove
another Gallant Fox?
The sensational victory Of the
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
star in the Glen Oaks purse made
a deep and lasting impression on
the majority of local race pa
irons. Many are predicting the
son of Pennant-Swinging will
gather just as many honorS as
graced the remarkable career Of
the great Belair stud champion.
Whether or not these support
ers of the Whitney 3-year-old
are too optimistic in their expec-
tations only the future can tell.
The son of Pennant-Swinging IS
in perfect physical condition and
Freddy Hopkins, his young
trainer, deserves great credit for
the remarkable way he has
brought his 3-year-old charge
along.
EquipOise in Shape
EuuipoiSe is ready to step to
the barrier tomorrow in race at
any distance against colts and
fillies of his own age. This ne
proved beyond the slightest doubt
in racing three-quarters in Ill
3-5, in the Glen Oaks. Many stars
never get close to this time even
when they reach the peak OF
their careers. That the Whitney
champion was able to stage such
a performance may be accepted
by the rank and file of sport as
indicating he is ready for the
asking at any distance.
There are a number of points
of similarity between EquipOtSe
and Gallant Fox. Both were
defeated in the Belmont Park
Futurity, WhichOne and Hi-Jack
finishing in front Of Gallant
Fox in the 1880 classic. James
town beat EquipOise for the
rich purse last fall.
Gallant Fox was what might
be termed a "leggy" horse. That
is he had extra long legs and
long body. Equipoise is of the
same type. Those who saw him
win the Glen Oaks purse saw a
arkable 3-year-old. He
resembled his Belair stud cham"
pion predecessor in many ways.
The latter had the longest stride
of any thoroughbred ever de.
veloped. 1t outmeasured Man o
Wars gigantic stride.
Take Long Strides
Experts who have measured 1t
declared it is only once in a gen.
Grafton that a colt possessed OF
such a record stride is developed.
Gallant Fox when in full flight
took a stride measuring 20 feet
8l2 inches, the longest on record.
After Equipoise defeated his
field in the Glen Oaks purse q
measurement was made Of the
Whitney Colts strides from the
furlong pole home. They meas
ure just a few inches less than
the record ones credited to Gal
liant Fox. However, the fact
Equipoise won by three lengths
under a snug hold by Jockey Rob-
ertson may mean when some
rival comes along in the stretch
to offer a genuine challenge the
son of Pennant-Swinging will
establish a new record stride.
EquipOiSe'S greater record as
juvenile may be accounted for
by the fact he was q much
easier colt to train than Gal.
liant Fox, being a little smaller
in stature. Gallant Fox started
but seven times as Juvenile,
winning two starts, finishing
second and third as often and
being out of the money but
once. His earnings total but
S19,980 as compared to the
$156,835 credited to EquipOiSe.
Equipoise is not likely to start
for some time. Freddy Hopkins
is pointing his star for the CheS-
apeake Handicap at Havre de
Grace on April 25. In this stake
the C. V. Whitney star will meet
the best of the 3-year-old d.
vision. If he succeeds as well as
he did in the Glen Oaks there
will be few who will back any
rival to beat him in the Freak
ness or Kentucky Derby.