The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-04
WINTER BOOKS. UP WHEN COLT SCRATCHED.
JohnstOwn Works Mile in l:38:3==El Chico 1 :44:4;
 Field Small
BY JACK GUENTHER United Press Racing Editor

AS~SSAAeo
 Louisville, Ky, May 4-tUP)- Porter's Mite dropped out of the Kentucky Derby today while the advance guard of an expected 100.- 900 visitors dropped into Louisville to watch a race that lasts barely two minutes.
 Owner w. E. Boeing, Seattle. Wash, airplane manufacturer, an- nounced the Mite had gone stale. After conference with Trainer Ted Horning, Boeing said the son of the Porter could not be brought into, proper condition for the 65th run- ming of the race of the roses on Sat- urday and that he would not be started.
 With Porter's Mite went the last hope of the far west for possible victory, and the thousands of dol- lars Californians had laid on his chances in the future books. Win- ner of the Belmont Futurity and holder the world record for six and half furlongs, the Mite had been disappointing quitter as three year-old and appeared capable only of sprints.
 On The Way
 The news failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds who ar- rived by rail, by motor, and by air to gather at the green and white grandstands of Churchill Downs where each year since 1875 Ameri- cas- fastest young horses run for the Derby gold and roses.
 The fans have picked their horse Johnstown, the loose -limbed wide striding beauty from Belair, the solid bet at even money or less to carry away all the glory. Tales of the eastern giants prowess had filtered into Kentucky for two weeks but today natives and visitors alike knew for themselves.
 Johnstown went back to work between the third and fourth race yesterday and without falter in his stride or a sharp word to drive him, turned the fastest mile spin of the training SeaSon-1:3 :38-3-5.
 The son of Jamestown stepped in to stride beneath the judges stand trifle slowly. The clockers caught him in :24-3-5 for the quarter and :49 flat for the half. He passed the three-quarter pole in 1:14-1-5, and then he started to fly, head high and mahogany coated legs flow of power. Spectators gasped as the bay swept past the mile and the time was announced. Then he was eased up over another eighth in 1:52-2-5, and half trotting, half walking, finished out the full derby distance of mile and quarter in 2:10.
 The move was doubly impressive in view of the performance in the Derby trial of one of Johnstown's two most feared rivals-Technician. Big Tech, stablemate of Lawrin, the winner year ago, was beaten by humble Viscounty at the same mile route and the time was just a fifth of a second faster. Additionally, Johnstown stepped his mile around two turns, while Technician went out of the chute.
 Other ''Works"
 Five other horses worked out earlier, but far less spectacularly. Johnstown's stablemate, Challenge, went a mile in 1:41 and another eight in 1853, breezing. William Seigler's Our Mat outshone his mate Fl Chico at a mile, the former rap- ping it out in 1:43-1-5 and the lat ter in 1:44-4-5. Mrs. Bessie Franz heim's Xalapa Clown went the .mile in 1:45-1-5, and John Hay Whitney's, Heather Broom took a unclocked gallop.
 Most of the eligibles were given their final blowouts today. The prob- able field remained fairly steady, although T. M. Dorsett was slightly weakened by high temperature.
 The expected starters still were. Johnstown, w. l.. Brann's Challe- don, Fl Chico, Technician, Viscounty, and Heather Broom.
 The less-certain but probable con- tenders: Xalapa Clown, T. M. Dor sett, Junius w. Bells Steel Heels and Milky Way Farms Location.
 The doubtful starters: T. E. Mueller's Timeful, W. H. White houses American Byrd, T. D. Tag gart's Yale O Nine Mrs. c. Gregory Lostagal, Challenge, and Our Mat