The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-04-17
BY JACK GUENTHER
UNITED Press Racing EditOr)

New York, April 17.-(UP)-All
through the long winter nights the
hard boot boys debated the deeds OF
calico-coated colt held at 12-1 as
third choice in the Kentucky Derby
future books. Some said he was a
great horse who was being reserved
for the run of the roses. Others SIM
ply said he was good, but greatly
over-rated.
Today, G. v. Whitney's Carrier
Pigeon is still mystery horse. He
ran for the first time as a three
year-old on Monday and was beaten
by Belair studs Fenelon in the
stretch. But his handlers said after
the race that he was two weeks
away from top condition, so nobody
knows yet for certain If the Pigeon
actually has the speed and the heart
to match his breeding and body.
Well Bred
Carrier Pigeon does have the
breeding. He is the son of Equipoise.
out of the Friar Rock line on the
distaff side, and Equipoise was one
of the outstanding performers OF
the American turf. Ekky is dead now
and he left few sons to carry his
speed through the year. But the
newest offspring was looked upon as
the best of all.
His body had something to do
with that. Carrier Pigeon is a tall,
close coupled colt, taller than his
dad. He is one of the finest looking
youngsters in the east, with a mot
tied coat of black patches on dark
red background. So when he finally
went out for his first race at Sara
toga last year, after being withheld
until Aug. 4, he was being watched.
Carrier Pigeon went in an over
night event on a Slow track against
IL rather ordinary rivals. He showed
class by breaking quickly and draw
ing out to win by three lengths. The
time was fair, 1:06 for five and a
half furlongs, and he was tabled
for future reference. But he nmped
away from the track-he had cut
himself slightly-and din't return
again for 20 days.
This was on August Is, and his
performance was much the same.
The distance was six furlongs and
the best of the competition was Bal
last Reef. The track was sloppy, but
the Pigeon walked away. Eddie Ar
caro- brought him home five lengths
in front of the field in 1:13 As.
Something went wrong in his train
ing at this point and he didn't run
In a single stake. He ended the year
with the two victories in two stars,
and surprisingly enough was given
126 pounds in the experimental han
dicap rating drawn up each year by
John B. Campbell. That meant
Campbell ranked him only four
pounds below Bimelech as the Sec
ond best juvenile of the year.
Doesn't Give Up
His training was somewhat re-
tarded by the cold weather in New
York this spring and that may be
why he went down under the drive
of Fenelon to lose his 1910 inaugural
by neck. He certainly didn't give
up; In fact he was gaining inches
at the end. At more of a distance or
under more restraint in the early
furlongs, there is no telling yet what
he can do. He needs case ardening
in tough competition.
He will get that competition, too.
He is eligible for all six big spring
three-year-old events - the triple
crown of the Derby, the Preakness
and the Belmont Stake, and the
Withers, the Wood and the Blue
grass. He will be pointed first for
the Wood at mile and Lie on
April 81 at Jamaica, and then his
niche will be determined.