Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-21
WIN, LOSE OR
DKAW BY FRANCIS s1AnA
A Workout Is Not q Race

COMING UP SATURDAY is the horse race that EXPERTS
and fans alike have been waiting for all year. meaning the
first meeting of Nashua and Summer 3year-olds
They going in the 31s running of the Wood
mile and eighth which only furong shorter than
the Kentucky Derby distance and it is
winner will be favored at post time in Louisville May T.
Just why the Wood is commonly accepted Derby
yardstck this layman because few have
won both of these classics Actually there SO
runngs of the Wood since 1925 instead of &c. because
1914 1945 and l947 it in divisions only
horses have both the Wood and Derby and since
Assault in 40 "a ~
The $10000O-added Wood enough race On
own feet as most horse people allow to DO Nonetheless
there is discamng certain kinshp to the Derby
this holds particularly true this year because of Nashua
and Summer Tan Rarely have two colts apparently well
matched moved into the Wood
AS YOU MAY REMEMBER Beair Studs Nashua licked
Summer Tan three out of four times year
John Galbreaths colt taken down with illness
almost cost his life. When Nashua the Flamngo last
February at Haleah there knowedgeabe observer
in the press coop who remarked fatty:
"Well there's the Derby winner Maybe the Triple
Crown winner"
There are good reports Summer TAM" he was re-
minded They say he is recovering nicely"
And there bad reports too" the other said hear
that he won't again."
Nashua up the road to Gulfsream Park and won
the Florida Derby, too, while Summer Tan stayed away
from the races The longer he ded the it looked,
indeed, as if the Derby Nashuas for the running.
BUT ONE OVERNIGHT at Jamaica recenty-one
that Summer Tan by IA lengths-and startling
this week changed picture original Summer
supporters are out in full force and augmented by
newly won followers.
You remember that both colts worked between
last Monday at Jamaica Tan, ridden by exercise
boy Jimmy Middleton and carrying 1870 or more pounds
stepped mile in 1877 and went for the Wood distance
in 1905 exciting in view of the fact that
his time for mile and furong only fifth slower than
Native Dancers Wood Memorial.
Nashuas work followed with Ted Atkinson up Ted is
lighter than Exercise Boy Middleton the Flamngo
and Florida Derby winners mile in 1885 suffered in
parison and his rider shook him with the whip too
Horsemen properly impressed with Summer Tan.
He was, they agreed much free running colt.
BUT WORK is NOT RACE, horsemen also will agree
in mind that Nashua three of four the
Gabreath and that he is unpredictabe kind who
does his best running when it's necessary.
There is another consideration, the grimmer
side Immediately after winning the Garden State Stakes
by nine lengths last fall his 2yearod earnings to
$230.42i Summer Tan down with arteria blood
cot in the nestines Rightnow he is filled out and looks
fit and ready after truly remarkable recovery But what
it is being asked omnousy will happen when the colt hits
that long stretch at Churchill Downs under duress?
Sheriff. Ward his widely respected trainer processes not
to be worried suggests that Summer Tan bloodnes
right the Louisville classic although there
nothing questionable about Nashuas breeding Summer
Tan by Helopols- Miss libby and, while you may be
acquainted with his recommendations, mammals back
ground may not ring bell.
Miss libby is daughter of Omaha, who the 1885
Belmont and Omahas daddy Gallant
Fox who won the same Triple Crown in $780, that's ALL