Evening star., 1939-07-23
Sun Lover Runs
Second in Hot
Stretch Duel
Lightning-Fost Strip
Leaves No Excuse
For IS Fuvorite
BY CHARLES DUNKLEY,


Associated Press Sports Writer.
CHICAGO, July 22.-When the
Maryland horse, Challedon, con-
quered Johnstown in the muddy
Preakness Stakes, the explanation
was made that big John" winner
OF the Kentucky Derby, didn't like
mud.
Today, before 10000 sweltering and
stunned spectators Challedon re-
peated his victory over Johnstown
on track that was dry and light
ming fast, in winning the s50,0OO
Arlington classic.
JohnstoWn didn't even finish
second. He was tired third, strug-
Cling six lengths back of Sun Lover,
which landed a head behind Chal-
ledon.
1t was the most startling upset of
the 1899 racing season.
Going to the post 1-to-5 favorite.
JohnstoWn, victorious in seven of his
eight races this year, was figured to
be, in the minds of the bettors. q
lead pipe cinch. A ton of money was
burnt up by his defeat as S34 ,597 was
Wagered on him to win and s32.l8O
to place.
Throws Title Into Dispute.
Johnstown, winner of the Ken
lucky Derby, Dwyer Stakes, the Bel
mont, Withers, Wood Memorial.
Paumonok Handicap and an allow.
ance race in New York, was ready.
before todays defeat, to be pro-
claimed 3-year-old champion of the
American turf. Now that honor is
very much in dispute, with Challe-
don conquering him twice.
Challedon finished second to
Big John" in the Kentucky Derby.
Challedon, the 3-year-old son of
Challenger II-Laura Girl. owned
by w. L. Brann of Baltimore, Md.
left nothing to the imagination as
he won the hard way. He was ridden
by Jockey Harry Richards and the
way the race was run was much the
best. He made it positive that he
could run, regardless of the footing,
either in the mud or on a dry track.
Four-Fifths Off Record.
Challedon ran the mile and a
quarter in 2:O2, just four-ffths of a
second slower than the track record
set by Discovery. The winner re-
turned 5000 to win and $40 to
place. Sun Lover returned S6.4O to
place. There were no show mutuels
sold
The presence of Johnstown in the
classic threw so much fear into the
hearts of the other owners that four
OF the original eight starters were
scratched, leaving only Sun Lover,
owned by Mel Emerich of Chicago;
Heatherbroom, entry of John Hay
Whitney of New York; Technician,
owned by Herbert Woolf of Kansas
City, and Challedon to take an ex.
pected beating from Big john" the
superhorse. Yale O'Nine, Unerring,
Vlscounty and Total Eclipse refused
| to accept the issue.
After only second delay at the
post, the field of five broke in per.
tect alignment, with Johnstown,
ridden by Jimmy Stout, jumping
quickly into the lead. Technician
broke with him and they raced head
to head past the stands, packed with
wildly cheering spectators.
Johnstown Suddenly Slows.
AS the pair swung around the club
house turn, Stout shot Johnstown
into the lead and he was in the
clear with no horse in front of him.
Technician settled back in second
place and the huge crowd settled
back confident that Johnstown was
on his way to another victory.
Then something happened.
Johnstown began to back up to
the others on the far turn. His
lead OF three lengths dwindled to
nothing
The crowd began to moan.
Challedon then was the horse of
the moment, his riders red and vel
low blocks completely dominating
the picture as the field turned into
the stretch.
AS Challedon bounced into the
leao, sun Lover, which had raced in
third place the first mile went after
the new leader. The pair raced head
and head and, down the stretch, for
just moment, it appeared as if
Sun Lover were going to win. But,
Challedon was too game, however,
and he hung on to register the
biggest upset of the year.
No Excuses, Says Fitzsimmons.
The classic had a gross value of
$40 600 with s35 600 going to Challe-
don's owner. The. sum of $4,000 went
to M. L. Emerich, of Chicago, owner
OF Sun Lover, while Johnstown
earned $4,000 for finishing third.
John Hay Whitney collected $4,000
as a result of Heatherbroom finish
ing fourth. Technician wound up
fifth and last.
James Fitzsimmons, trainer OF
Johnstown, in the presence of
owner Woodward, offered no ex-
cuses for big Johns" defeat.
"The colt was just beaten" he said
sadly. HE showed no signs of out
ward trouble and no wind trouble.
He went as far as he could"
Challedon was trained by Lou
Schafer, former jockey and he was
supremely happy over his colts VIC
tory.
He's a great Maryland colt"
Schaefer beamed.
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