The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-26

practically the whole field which contested the famous Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 18th will re- new hostilities here. Sentiment for Earl Sande and his New England connections, plus past performances of the horse, may install Col Max well Towards popular colt, Stage- hand, as favorite for the event; but cold dope alone will command a powerful following for Mrs. Parker Corning's grand colt, Thangsgiving with Nedayr and Bull Lea pressing close behind.
 Went Back
 After Stagehand won the Santa Anita Derby and the Santa Anita Handicap to loom as horse in a million, illness overlook him on the eve of the Kentuckey Derby and subsequent performances brought him back to level with the rest of his age and sex. The question Of the 3-year-old championship is still wide open one. During the sum- mer season the colts have been beating each other with regular ity that might indicate lack of class in the division, but this thought is dispelled by the success 3-ycar-olds have achieved when pitted against stake stars of all ages. Stagehand's winning of the Santa Anita was an amazing feat and who will ever forget the fashion in which Menow spreadeagled the Massachusetts Handicap FieldP
 Recent form indicates Thanks giving the horse the rest must fear. In the Travers, under IF pounds and over a mile and a quarter, he took the top and led every inch of the way to win by four open lengths from Joly Tar, with Fighting Fox, l24, third; Stagehand, 127, fourth; Cravat, 122, fifth; Bull Lea, 1l5. sixth; Stormscud, 1922 eighth and Nedayr. 127, last in a field of nine,
 At Saratoga on July 29th Thanks giving ran away with the Saranac Handicap by ten lengths and four days earlier he had run the flying Airflame to head over seven fur longs. These performances follow ing his steady racing at the Suf- 1olk Downs meet, indicate a con- tinous improvement by this strap ping son of Bud Lerner- -Inchcape Belle and though he has eight pounds the worst of the weights on Saturday with Stagehand, the dope says he must prevail in true run race.
 Stagehand stepped off the train here on Tuesday and Wednesday morning worked mile in 1:39 just as handy as could be. Going back to the Empire City Handicap of July 9th, we find Stagehand giving Fighting Fox four pounds and Thanksgiving tenpounds and whip ping the pair in a finish of necks and heads. Sande makes no secret or his belief that the bay colt is right back at his peak, in which case he is plenty of horse for any Of his age to handle.
 Uncertain
 Willits Sharpe Kilmer's brilliant put inconsistent Nedayr arrived at Ganset this morning in care of Doc" Crawford. After whipping all his contemporaries with ease in the Arlington Classic on July 23rd, Bull Lea, Craat and Stagehand of Satur- days field being in the ruck, the Neddie-Sunayr colt ran miserably Tn the TraverS. But he comes tc Gansett fresh and well, Crawford says he acts better than he has in some weeks past and a repetition of the Arlington form would spell trouble for the rest.
 Big Frank Kearns is here to per- sonally supervise and saddle the Calumet Farms Bull Lea for Satur- days event. Though this colt has been sad disappointment since he was so strongly fancied for the kentuckey Derby, he has been gr. dually working back to the speed and stamina he showed earlier. His second to Nedayr In the Classic was distinctly good.
 Macaroo Stables Lavengro eased into qualifying race on Thursday the result telling it's own story James s. Emerys Dolly Way may be the only lilly in the field although the superb Handcuff has not vet definitely declined the isue. Land- lubber is sure starter, Crayat StormScud and War Magic are con- fidently expected to line up at the gate. The race will bring out the most accomplished set of riders that nave been seen in one stake in New England this season. Probable starters, Jockeys and odds follow