Evening star., 1958-05-09
WIN, LOSE OR
UKAW By FRANCIS s7ANN
As One Is Reminded

WEEK FROM TOMORROW one suddenly is re-
minded it up the 82d running OF the Preakness
at Pmlico The reminder is fat black by Charlie
Johnson the debonar drum-beaer, and it deals with
Just about phase of Preaknesses past ard present
except speculation to whether Silky Sullivan
worth lick.
In the first place the name "Pimico" is pretty dis
tored Seems that in 1899 group of EngliShmen with
charter settled the designated "Pembcoe"
MsSpelled not Pimco mile oval of loan soil where
Tim Tam, winner of last Saturdays Kentucky Derby and
six previous in row. didn't get tumble when he
arrived there this week. Silky who finished 18th at
Louisville, did.
In 1904 young named James E. Fitzsimmons
was the leading trainer of the seven-day fall meeting
He won three races and future predicted for him.
You don't hear much about jockey named Joe
Guerra. He didn't have a mount for the big
on PreakneSS Day May g. 1881, but the little Cuban,
who 20 years old at the time every other
except one that daya veforsX record that still stands
EDDIE ARCARO, HOWEVER is richer The Master
has won the PreakneSS six times with WhraWay Citation
Hill Prince Bold Nashua and Bold Ruler, and finished
in the money IL of the IA times he has ridden in the
Maryland classic Nellie Flag in 1885 and Devil Diver in
AZ got nowhere, but otherwise Arcaros mounts have won
total Of $485757.
Pimlco was opened on October 25 1870 and on the
second day of the meeting the first stakes race-the
Dinner Party Sakes-was contested before 10000 The
initial purse $1800 which Pubicist Johnson
was quite sum for the day" horse named Freak
ness won the affair and got Pimcos big 3year-od
named after him.
He large and high in flesh" johnson reports,
and one contemporary journalist referred to him "a
cart horse He was high-Strung animal and so, ap
parenty the Duke Hamilton who later purchased
PreakneSS and shot him to death in his stall in England
This had the effect of setting off great reform in
England in the laws and restrictions governing the
handling of animals Mr.. Johnson relates. He said
nothing of what happened to the high strung Duke
AS A MATTER OF VITAL information the name
PreaknesS believed to be of Dutch derivation and
In the past pronounced "Prake-neSs PreakneSS the
name Of stream which through the New Jersey
farm of M H. Sanford (orgnal Of the horSe and
he bestowed it on of his foals.
If you are potential customer for the Preakness
beware OF stumbling over tradition This is occupa-
tional hazard because Mr.. Johnson warns race
track remain in existence 8S years and through 1877
meetings without picking up few charming customs and
traditions along the way. Pimico has many of these
AS one reporter observed many years There is
constant danger of stumbling tradition matter
in which direction turns"
Just in your horse isn't doing too WELL johnson
thoughtfuly suggests may be entertained by taking
your eyes off the actual running Of the 82d PreaknesS
and observe the figure of the cupola of the
ancient Members Clubhouse doing act that would do
credit to the agpoe sitters of another generation
1t develops this guys is George Dragoo He's
painter Publcist Johnson, properly doubt makes
him out to be acrobat too.
His job is to paint the racing coorS of the owner
of the PreakneSS winner the metal blouse of the
Jockey Ue morse on tne WeatnerVane the clubhouse
Mr. Johnson explains "Dragoo hooks impressive array
of paint his waist ascendS to fifth-story
height long ladder.
Mrs, Henry Carnegie Phipps Bold Ruler had scarcely
pulled up on the turn after last years Preakness
before George had the ornamental jockey appropriately
attired in yellow with purple sleeves and cup.
"Dragoo takes his job seriously" Johnson says
seriously
THERE ALSO is AN ACCOUNT-don't get us wrong
See WIN LOSE OR DRAW Page CO