The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-06
FAST TRACK IS. CERTAINTY AS
 DERBY GO WEARS
Challedon Second Choice; FavOrite Is } to 5
 Choice
BY JACK GUENTHER

AAASA~ United Press Staff Correspondent)
 Louisville, Ky, May 6.-(UP).- Ten fast .oung horses race down the glory road for the gold and the roses of the Kentucky Derby this afternoon.
 The day began clear and warm. The temeprature at dawn was 55.
 Only the note from the silver bugle was needed to send those 10 away on the two minutes of mad ness which have quickened the heartbeat of a nation for 65 years. All the rest was ready-85, ,0Q0 spec tators, crisp footing, blue sky and a bright sun.
 It was fast track day so the crowds turned to a fast track horse as their choice to lead one of the smallest Derby fields in 20 years. That was Johnstown, son of James, town by La France, the bid of Will jam Woodward of New York for the $50,0O0 purse he won with his Gall lant Fox in 1880 and with Omaha in 1885.
 Conditions were tailor made for him and the long -striding, stretch running bay was 3-5 on the morn ing line. The shortest priced fa- vorite since Twenty Grand was backed down to 4-5 eight years ago. He was such standout that the experts expected him to better the mile and a quarter Derby record of POI 4-5, set by Tewnty Grand.
 JohnstoWn races these horses:
 1. w. L. Brann's triple-futurity winner. Challendon, considered the horse which will beat Johnstown if he is beaten. A strong second choice, Georgie Seabo the rider, and 3-1 the odds. Ninth at the post.
 2. Technician, who came out Of the west as Lawrin came a year ago; the hope of Herbert M. Woolf of Kansas City for a second straight Derby victory. Like Lawrin, a son of Insco and winner of Hialeah's Flamingo stakes, he was 5-1. He is eighth at the post. Johnny Adams will ride him.
 3. Fl Chico, William ziegler's 1888 juvenile champion, winner of $84 100 as a two-year-old, but of questionable ability at the Derby route. Nicky Wall had a leg up again. His price was 10-1, and his was second position at the post.
 4. Heather Broom, two weeks ago this J. H. Whitney colt was un- known but Trainer Earl Sande brought him on to victory in the Bluegrass stakes and he is a fac- tor. His price is 10 to l, Basil James rides him, and he is third at the post.
 5. Viscounty, Valdina farms con- queror of Technician in the mile Derby trial last Tuesday. He is To- 1, Carroll Herman is his rider, and his position is four.
 Clown 30 To 1
 6. Mrs. Bessie Franzheim's win ter-campaigned b c k beauty, Xalapa Clown. His preference for mud and sprints heightened his price to 30-1. Silvio Coucci is his rider, and No. ' his post position.
 T. T. M. Dorsett has recovered from fever but is passed lightly by at 40-1. Lean Haas up at No. 10 post position.
 8. On Location, not expected to do more than carry the orange, white and chocolate silks Of Milky Way farm and Jockey Ali Robertson around the track, 50 to and fifth position.
 g. Challenge, Johnstowns stable mate, entered as coupling. Not considered on a fast track. Charlie Kurtsinger, who brought home Twenty Grand and War Admiral will ride. Odds, as half of the Wood- ward entry, were 3-5. First position.
 All Same Weight
 Johnstown appeared a mortal cinch on his record of three vic- tories in as many starts this year, including the Woodhaven purse and Wood Memorial. For once he was not asked to give weight. All Derby colts carry 126 pounds. Jimmy Stout, the capable little fellow who has guided him since his first trip to the post, was up again, in the sixth stall in the starting gate.
 Every one of the l, survivors of the 115 nominated last March, was in top condition. Stablehands, and in most cases, trainers, stood guard at their barns during the night.
 With 10 horses paying $500 to start, the net value of the purse to the winner will be $47 1850. The sec ond horse gets $6,000. The third s3,O0O, the fourth $1,0OO. First money was far short of $55,375 won by ~..-l ;,, f0sJQ uyhay1 O rnNnrt