Evening star., 1940-12-22

money marx Wlen Sdnla Alltd
gets under way.
Last March in the big Santa Anita
Handicap, Seabiscuit moved out
in front with a winning total OF
$437 900.
Now Challedon is on the ground
here, resembling a million dollars,
with $l37 900 to 60 before he COL
lars the Biscuit and breaks MI.
Howards heart.
ChoIIedon Moy Reach Goal
In Four Coost koees
On the surface, that sl37 900 ap-
pears something to pick up around
the backstretch. But Challedon now
ts facing four races at Santa Anita
that have a total value of Sl70 600
one for 100000. one for $4,000
and two for $4,000 each.
Challedon needs the $4,000 and
the $4,000 test to set a new money
mark. And if the Maryland eX-
uress doesn't break down, he will
be hard to stop.
I never have seen Challedon look
better than he looks today.
His main enemies will be Kayak
II and Midland, two Of the crack
Howard entries. which so far have
shown no speed or stamina that
could run Challedon into the dust
of this great track, Also, there are
one or two crack English horses
which may furnish surprise. But
It will have to be quite a distinct
surprise.
Challedon has speed, heart and
stamina, and it will take quite a
horse to beat him.
Charley Howard saw his Seabls-
cult run away from Sam Riddles
War Admiral, but Charley hasn't
seen his Kayak II ever run away
from Challedon.
And Mr.. Howard isn't at all sure
that either Kayak or Midland can
handle Challedon when they start
for the wire. I happen to know
. that Mr.. Howard is more than keen
to see that Seabiscuit's all-time
record remains intact.
Owners Fondness for Biscuit
Almost Like IdoIotry
Unless you really know Charley
Howard you can't understand how
he feels about the Biscuit. 1t is
almost form of idolatry. And you
can't blame him-if you happen to
know Seabiscut, the most colorful
horse that ever lived.
I recall the Kentucky Derby OF
1899. The night before the race
I exchanged a short libation with
Mr.. Brann.
l expressed the belief that horse
named Johnstown could run away
from any horse that ever lived.
Which Johnstown, in condition, cas-
ily could do. Johnstown was the
fastest horse that ever came to
track-barring not even Colin or
q Man o War.
Mr.. Brann was quite upset over
my prediction. Next day Johnstown
beat Challedon by at least eight or
nine lengths. 1t was not even a
contest.
After the race that night in Louis
vile again / ran into Mr.. Brann.
"I still think Challedon is the
better horse" Mr.. Brann said, over
all tracks"
A week later at the Preakness,
over slippery, muddy track, Johns
town blew wide open, and Challedon
won.
Mr.. Brann was justified in his
rating-over all tracks.
Johnstowns terrific speed never
could handle sloppy going. I still
think over fast track that Johns
town could have beaten any horse
that ever lived-in condition to
run. But races are run over diff
ferent tracks under varying condi-
tions.
Condition Of Track Makes
Little Difference to Him
Challedon can work his way
around under almost every known
track condition. He can be beaten
on an off day-but he usually wins.
And at this moment the Maryland
FLYER certainly looks to be more
than ready for the job he has
shead-which is to move on past
the Seabiscuit mark and finish the
Santa Anita campaign with more
than $450000 tucked away in the
big stocking.
"I've never seen him look bet
ter" Mr.. Brann said, as we looked
Challedon over. And it might be
mentioned that Mr.. Brann feels
about Challedon Just as Charley
Howard feels about Seabiscuit.
Outside of normal sentiment, you
can't blame em for that. For
Seabiscuit and Challedon will have
been good for nearly million dol
lars before Challedon takes to the
green pastures OF old age.
SsAfter all, Challedon hasn't nearly
reached the age that Exterminator
and Seabiscuit knew when they de-
eided to retire and take a green
grass pension. Challedon still has
1t least two big years left-perhaps
three big years. This Maryland en-
tfy easily may move the money
making count beyond $500, 900 before
be retires-if he doesn't break down,
which Is one of the favorite thor
0tighbred habits. The average thor
.ougbred is about as robust as a
hnmming-bird.
s. Challedon seems to be different
breed-so far. He still is looking
at the all-time money mark, face
10 face. unless Charley Howard can
block the road and keep his Sea-
biscuit on top.