Evening star., 1938-05-01

next year the national tavOr1te. Ills tnrlnng
finish in the Derby proved Twenty Grand
one of the really great horses of American turf
history.
Many colts do not display their greatness
until they are three year -olds. Omaha, 1885
winner. for example. And Clyde Van Dusen.
ordinary at two years, tops at three AS
were Bold Venture and War Admiral.
Here's Stagehand. a Maxwell Howard entry
for this year. Never won race as two-year-
old. But this spring! Under Earl Sande's
training, he has won both the Santa Anita
Handicap, beating Seabiscuit and other great
horses, and the Santa Anita Derby, with earn
ings of more than $780, 600. That brings him
some attention as Derby contender!
Which reminds me of Exteminator. grand
old champion of 1918. w. S. Kilmer owned
Srmbriar. splendid horse, and he bought
Exterminator merely to work with S,mbriar
in training. Just before Derby Day Ssmbriar
went bad. His legs couldn't take it. had
watched Exterminator run, and was i'm
pressed with his possibilities.
Put Enerminator in the Derby" l ad-
vised Mr.. Klmer.
I'm do il, ;" he said.
That was a race to be remembered. The
field was sent away with Viva America in
front. Escoba was second at the half-mile.
Then Exterminator moved to his greatness.
Hepassed Esooba. and they both passed Viva
America, fighting it out down the home
stretch to thrilling finish.
Exterminator had what it took for that
last quarter-mile. He went ahead to win other
races at all distances, beating the best horses
of his day, and staying with it until he was
nearly blind. He wouldn't quit.
Ancestry, ability, temperament, training -
these are essential. Is that all? No. Who's
the jockey? That frequently tells the story of
brilliant victory or sad failure. A poor jockey
can throw race away, even if he mounts the
best horse.
--~.O On the morning of the 1925 Derby, Earl
Sande found his mount withdrawn from the
race. Jockey without horse - too good a
Jockey to remain idle. Clifford A. Cochran,
owner of Flying Ebony, engaged Sande.
Ouatrain was the favorite. with Captain Hal
high up the list Flying Ebony was rated far
down. Just before the Derby field was called
to the post heavy rain deluged the track.
Flying Ebony started fourth. but had
pulled up to second at the half-mile. Captain
Hal led him at the three quarters and also at
the mile Sande was banking on his horses
stamina in the last quarter mile of that heavy
track There he gave the rein. Flying Ebony
took command as he swung down the stretch.
and maintained his lead by length and
half
Il could have taken any one of four entries
today and won this race" Sande said.
believe he could have! He has won three
Kentucky Derbies.
The battle of the jockeys" in the 1893 race
will be remembered Don Meade on Bradley's
Brokers' Tip and H. w. Fisher on Mrs. Silas
Mason's Head Play swung down the stretch
neck and neck. in whipping finish all the
way down to the wire, roughing each other
every Jump of the way, as Brokers Tip won
by a nose OF course, the jockeys were sus-
pended, for racing is under strict rules of
conduct But horsemen know the strain a
jockeys under to win.
What makes winner? You can take all the
factors have mentioned, and have all plans
for victory upset by the breaks" in this excit-
ing sport of kings. Weather. An unexpected
soreness. An upset temperament. Yes, race
horses can be prima donnas.
Or just the luck that sometimes breaks,
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