The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-11
By HARRY CRIMSON MIA SnNrfc Ed;fn,

New York, Aug. 11-AWay from rustic, crossroads, upstate Goshen for the first time in 13 years, the $40,0OO Hambletonian Stake for g. year-old trotters looks like three way race at Empire City on the Yonkers hilltop, today.
 The Big Three is composed of Worthy Boy, Volo Song and Phono- graph.
 But there is the usual dark horse, of course-Austin Hanover
 Three colts with impressive rec ords and four more almost as good are fairly certain to give an estimat- ed crowd of 25,OOO the closest battle since Henry Thomas repeated his triumph of the year previous and upset the dope with McLin Hanover in 1888.
 The swiftest Hambletonian time, 2:011A, turned in by Shirley Hanover, is likely to fall on the fast Empire City track after six years.
 Al Saunders, race secretary and veteran of 50 years of sulky pulling, believes Worthy Boy, Volo Song and Monograph will fgt it out for first money, with Barbara Babcock, Mighty Margaret and The Nut cracker pressing.
 And because Tom Gahagan is au- thority for mentioning the candi- date, Austin Hanover, a bay colt by MT. McElwyn, out of Hollywood Jes- sic, easily could be the dark horse. Gahagan is the white-haired dean of trotting hoss writers who has travelled the Grand Circuit for 30 years.
 ELEVEN EXPECTED TO START
 The Hambletonian had 38 entries this year, two less than last. The winner collects 55 per cent of the purse, with the next five dividing the remainder in varying degrees It costs $960 to start a horse in the Hambletonian, the initial payment being made when the colt or Ally is foaled. The alst payment is $500, due at noon the day before the race
 Eleven are expected to start, the others being Dean Sheppard, Gordon Gray, Hester Hanover and Portland
 The three top colts-Worthy Boy, owned by Mrs. James B. Johnson of Rochester, Mich; Volo Song, the property of William H. Strang of Brooklyn; and Monograph, owned by Joseph F. Burke of Plainfield, N. J.-are by Volomite
 Veterans will be up-Sep Palin, who won fame with Greyhound, be- hind Worthy Boy; 70-year-old Ben- jamin Franklin White behind Volo Song; and Tom Berry trying to make Monograph talk. The average age of the men who will juggle stop- watch, whip and reins will be nearly 60.
 PAST PERFORMANCES CONFUSE
 Worthy Boy was second when Volo Song won the Matron Stake in straight heats-2:O5A and 2:O8A- at Cleveland's North Randall.
 Volon Sons bagged the American Stake on the same track, July 5, by taking heats in 2:03h and 2:O6A. Worthy Boy won one heat in 2:05H and was third in three. Monograph won one heat in 2:05A and was sec- ond in three.
 Volo Song contracted a cold, de- veloped temperature, but is fit for the Hambletonian.
 That left the Peninsula Farms Stake at North Randall to Worthy Boy, which prevailed in 2:04H and 2:O6A.
 Monograph won tie Champion Stallion Stake at North Randall, July g, in 2:O3A and 2:O2A, with Worthy Boy second.
 Then Worthy Boy took the Na- tional Stake in 2:04a4 and 2:O6A, with Monograph second, and the latter won race at Old Orchard, Me.
 Clockers caught last quarter by Worthy Boy in :27A and :28.
 Bill Strang claims ne has the fast est trotter in the world in Volo Song, and the colt really can fly.
 The Hambletonian is best two out of three mile heats. The first post is 3:15 p. m.
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