Evening star., 1938-04-25
TURF FANS RALLY
T0SANDE'S HORSE
Want Fourth Win for Earl
in Classic in Which He
Rode Three Vict0rs.
BY FRANCIS ]. POWERS.

ny FnANClS J. FO"EhS.
CHICAGO, April 25.- Stagehand
will be the sentimental as we'll as
form favorite in the Kentucky Derby
because Of his trainer, Earl Sande.
AS a jockey, Sande brought home
three Derby winners and the crowd
will be cheering for fourth, even
though Earl will not be in the saddle.
While Stagehand is the property of
Col Maxwell Howard, to the public
he Is Sande's horse.
No one who was at Churchill Downs
that May day ever will forget Sande's
last Derby victory on Gallant Fox
A light summer shower started as the
bugle blew the Derby field to the post
Tho great crowd was silent until
Sande's bobbing head was seen at the
edge of the track Then that crowd
went wild with cheers, and, when
Sande returned to the judges stand,
he received an ovation seldom given
any one in sport.
Stagehand Well Conditioned.
stagehand has one of the greatest
finishing drives I ever saw. He did
not get call in the Santa Anita
Derby until we'll toward the three
quarter post, but down the stretch he
came like that other thoroughbred,
Glenn Cunningham. In the Santa
Anita Handicap, Stagehand beat Sea-
biscuit over the last sixteenth of a
mile, after being we'll back during
the early part of the race 1t was
claimed that Stagehand had all the
better OF weights in the handicap,
but he carried even poundage in the
Santa Anita Derby and ran away
from the field. In the Kentucky
Derby. he should pack the 1876 pounds
as lightly as any of his rivals.
The Howard horse is we'll condi-
toned for the Derby, and. one morn
Ing this week, worked a mile and an
eighth IN l:57. Stagehand ran under
tight rein for the first three-auar-
tiers. but stepped the last fourth in
o:24 3-5. Sande will make no predic-
tons on the Derby, but, after the
stamina Stagehand showed in win
ming the two big Santa Anita races,
the little Earl should be very opti-
mlstc. Stagehand will go to the post
IN the Derby carrying more honors
than almost any other horse ever
look into that field. and if he wins.
Will have a record that will stand a
lot of beating.
Kids Waited for Colonel.
Col. Howard, Dayton (Ohio) paper
manufacturer. was red hot baseball
fan before he went in for racing He
seldom missed home game of the
Dayton Vets. then in the old Central
League, making the long ride to the
park by street car. It was Col. How
aros daily practice to round I'D all
the Kids hanging around the park and
TAKE them to the game. Word of his
generosity soon became widespread
ana there were occasions when he
would be trailed into the park bv 100
moppets.
One day, Elmer Redell, president of
the Dayton club. protested to Col
Howard. Colonel, you are taking 50
many kids into the game that none
are left outside to bring back the balls
That are hit over the fence. Dog
gone 1t, We are losing money on base
balls"
Col. Howard did not see Stagehand's
great triumphs at far-awav Santa
ANITA. but ne probably will be at
churchill Downs when Sande sends
the little horse to the post, hoping
even more than the thousands in the
crowd that Sande will have a fourth
Derby winner.
In most races it is the horse, but
IN this Derby Stagehand must share
honors with Sande.