The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-11
Postponed Games Causing Serious Problem
IReg. U. 5. Pat. O1I.J BY JACK CUDDY

ID JhSh OOODA
 United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, May 11-CUP)-When the horses start hoofing it this weekend, after the winter wartime ban, they'll probably pound out one of the most exciting seasons in turf history.
 Three factors will contribute to- ward this result:
 CD The 1945 turf is blessed with one of the finest crops of three-year- olds in the sports annals, and three year-olds are the main cog of rac- ing; CD Upsets will feature stake events because those events will be damned together in such fashion by the abbreviated season that name horses will be able to point for only one or two; (3) at the seasons open ing practically every mount will be going to the post fresh-not burned out by winter of competition.
 Although the 1944 season was the most prosperous in racing history, enjoying a mutuel hardle of more than $1,209, ,O00,0O0, this prosperity was achieved despite mediocre lot of three year-olds, remnants of a crop of 1943 two-year-o odds who were beset by illness and injury.
 Despite the unusual ability of last years two-year- -olds, there's little chance of any of them winning the triple crown" for three-year-olds in '45. That means winning the three classics-Kentucky derby, the Preakness and the Belmont stakes. Only six thoroughbreds of the past have done it-Sir Barton, Gallant Fox. Omaha, War Admiral, Whirl- away and Count Fleet. It is diff cult feat in normal times; but this year it is doubly difficult because i the three stakes will be jammed in between June and June 23.
 On the basis of their perform ances as two-year-olds, William Jeffords' Pavot and John Marsch' s 1 free for all would seem to have the best chances for the three-Way crown. But Pavot, winner of eight straight starts, has been declared definitely out of the Derby because of hoof injury that slowed up win ter training. He will be pointed for | the Preakness, week later. Meanwhile, Free For All-un- beaten in five straight starts-ap- pears a certain Derby starter. But he will be threatened by such prob able starters as Esteem, Jeep, War Jeep, Pot O. Luck, Fighting Don, Alexis, Pholos, Floodtown, Guam, Pericles and Sea Swallow. Also by the lilly Busher. We imagine that all these mounts, who were good as two-year olds, will be found among the Derby nominees when they are announced, along with plenty of others.
 Jockey Georgie Woolf believes that esteem, owned by William zieg- i Ter, Jr., has an excellent chance for the Derby, at least. Woolf has made inquiries about riding him in the Kentucky classic. Esteem finished first in only one of 12 starts as a ] tWo-year-old; but he almost nlpped Pavot in the Hopeful Stakes at Bel mont last year, coming from far off the pace. He shows liking for dis tance, which is quite important in the Derby. Moreover, Esteem has been working we'll all spring at Bel mont and is in good condition.
 Esteem is expected to give sam pie of his speed in the Experimental handicap at Jamaica, when racing opens in the New York area May 21. Other eastern Derby hopefuls expected to perform in the Experi- mental are Jeep, War Jeep, Alexis Dockstadr, F1oodtown and Guam
 In this siX-furlong event, tht
 horses are rated and weighted bl
 John B. Campbell, racing secretar!
 for all New York tracks and one O. the turf's foremost handicappers.