The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-19
(Reg. U. s. Pat. Off.) BY JACK CUDDY

United Press Staff CorrespOndent) New York, Aug. 19.-(UP)-Run- ming horses, an undependable lot because of the fragility that comes with intense breeding for stream line speed, have disappointed many a classic crowd because of their un- willingness to ompete-because of their own illnesses, injuries or merely because of the weather and a muddy track.
 Hence it comes as great sur prise that the unexpected comeback of a big-name -Alsab-Should boost potentially ordinary week end contest into one of the years classics. We refer, of course, to the $50,000 American Derby-(not to be confused with the Kentucky Derby) at Chicago's Washington Park on Aug. 29.
 On that day, the re-invigorated Alsab will match hoofbeats with the king of the three-year-old Shut Out. It will be their fourth meeting, and apparently memor- able one as they battle 1t out over the mile-and-a- quarter route.
 Ready to Go
 It appeared as though this rich race would be a walkaWay for Shut Out, despite the always challenging presence of Valdina Orphan, until it was unexpectedly assured that Alsah would compete-and in peak form. Alsab, the much abused bay son of Good Goods, sounded the call of his second comeback last Saturday when he "spread-eagled' the field in a seVen-furlong sprint at Washington Park, winning it in his old-time form.
 In that warming race Alsab-Who proved a Florida failure, then a striking success, only to flop again charged through the stretch to overhaul and pass such speed mer- chants as With Regards and Sales Talk. In his stretch surge there was no tell-tale of the blind splint that was discovered after the Belmont Stake in June-an injury that laid him up ."or seven weeks. And there was no trace Sof the uncertin foot ing that marked his return to the turf on Aug. 8, when his comeback was marred by finishing fourth in an overnight sprint at Washington park.
 Recovers Form
 Last Saturday Alsab looked like the horse that terrorized the two year-olds last fall. He had good hoofs and speed to burn.
 That Alsab is pointing for a vic tory over Shut Out week from Saturday may be interpreted easily from the fact that Alsab already is on the scene of competition-in training at Washington park. Shut Out will be there by Monday.
 This is not rubber" match be- cause Alsab and Shut Out already have met three times this year with Shut Out winning twice. But if Alsab should even the count making 1t two-all-hiS victory cer- tatinly would tarnish the three year old crown already clinched by Shut Out-victor in the Kentucky Der by, the Belmont Stakes and Airing ton classic.
 In the Kentucky Derby Shut Outs pink and black silks of the Greentree stable flew high as this
 
 underrated son of Equipoise flashed across the wire winner in front of Alsab. But at Baltimore, in the Preakness, it was Alsab's day and the Sabath beauty pounded home the winner with Shut Out dismal fifth.
 HOof Trouble
 Early in June, the Belmont Stakes provided the rubber match-an un- fortunate encounter in which Alsab developed his splints. Shut Out won that mile-and- contest by two lengths, with Alsab pounding along behind on ailing hoofs-unable to make his usual stretch surge.
 After the Belmont in June Alsab was taken out of competition and given over to splints treatment, while Shut Out started a victory string that was broken only by Val dina Orphan in the Dwyer Stakes at Aquedudct.
 Now the two colts are ready to match strides again, and the admir- CTS of both hope that nothing will interfere with this fourth meeting. And it seems that nothing will that the comeback of Alsab will make the American derby one of the classic races of the year.