Evening star., 1932-03-27

W paddock at Bowie TO 1nau-
v gurate the Spring racing
season Friday, an advance
guard from the William Ziegler, jr., eS-
tate at Middleburg, Va, will be on hand
to represent one of the finest estab-
lishments of its kind in the United
States.
Sleek and prancing, the thorough
breds will await the tense parade before
the stands, the taut moment at the
barrier and q clear shot at the thrill Of
victory.
Behind the all-important seconds of
the race lies a history which Is for
gotten by the spectators in the excite
ment of the moment. Yet the power
of this brief two-year period will reach
over into the homestretch and send
home the winner, and hold back the
losers.
The patient period of training de-
termines the stuff that will be in every
one of the 26 young horses ziegler will
send to the tracks this year. 1t will
be evident in the performances of the
few horses which go to Bowie, and the
others who come out later at HaUe
de Grace, Pimlico and Belmont.
OF the 26 most are the sons and
daughters of Espino, whose duels with
Crusader thrilled the fans six years
ago; Polydor, closest rival of the
mighty sprinter Osmand, and by Our
General, Kirkover and Sumatr.
Graded in Luxury.
The 2-year-olds have been Graded
in the lap of luxury from birth, like
expensive babies. AS sucklings they
ioiled in a special colt barn with their
dams, exercised in selected paddockS.
In the weaving and yearling period
they frolicked on pastured hillsideS
until brought in to be broken.
From the time they learned to bear
weight they have lived in the 26 deep
strawed compartments of barn man
ned by 13 stable boys, equipped with
everything from special blacksmith
to an army of cats determined that
no impudent mouse shall disturb the
slumbers of King Thoroughbred.
Daily from dawn until noon in late
Winter and early Spring the young ones
and nine older horses kept over from
last season (among them the good
Spinach) occupy the time OF 3O-man
staff headed by Trainer Clyde Phlnps,
who once sent Mrs. Payne Whltney 5
horses to many a victory.
While race fans are still asleep ana
dreaming of the 100-to-l shot tnat
ro,nned home, the first flight of 10 or
- horses goes down to zeigler's three
n,,arter- mile private track for breezing.
Already they have been fed, rubbed
Iiohtlv to loosen the muscles and walked
around the indoor ring to warm
them up. - ,,o~sos
will begin their careers under the hunI-
er's pink and green OF the Mlddlepurg
stable. which is Mrs. Helen MURPHY
Zeigler's. If colts they Will carry VII
liam Ziegler, jr's, purple and RED.
The ZiegIers have maintained this
1ninue pact since the Inauguration OF
the breeding farm five years ago. Ana
every hand about the place does con-
siderable betting and praying before
the arrival of a foal. In the f1rst lot
of offspring the fillies outnumbered
colts ii to S, but of late the balance
has swung back to favor Mr.. Ziegler.
Follow Fixed Routine.
Whether filly or colt, horses IN the
line which follows a lead pony to the
track face definite routine. First a
walk and jog around the track, followed
by a round at slow canter. Then the
group lines up like cavalry chargers on
parade. Phillips selects two or three 10
90 together. They pull out of the line.
Break them fast from the back pole
over there, then breeze. Don't let them
run with you," Phillips will tell the
first pair. If the horses are being
pointed for the early meets, they Will
| take a more vigorous workout. Those
| that will be saved until Summer or
FAN may go at little more than
gallop.
phillips stands with a stop wath in
one hand and a red starters flag in
| the other. AS the horses get away at
the other side he clicks the watch, OBJ
serves them intently through the first
quarter.
The jockeys in turn watch for his
flag. If the pace is too slow, he signals
for them to come on When they run
too hard he waves for them to slow
down. At the end of the workout, the
time of each horse is jotted down in
record book.
When the first dozen have gone
through this, they are led back to the
stable, walked to cool out rubbed down
feet and legs bathed in warm water
Then they are left to stand to hay
Another bunch comes out Saddled fol
the same procedure.
Runners Come First.
The runners are, Of course, the prims
donnas Of the farm. Thirty-odd brooc
mares back In the breeding stables, the
stations, foals and polo ponies zieglel
raises for use at his Winter home, al
come in for elaborate care. but the per-