Evening star., 1960-02-03
WIN, LOSE OR
HNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
How to Lose Perspective

NINE YEARS AGO the top 2-year-old in the land
was Tom Fool, who the following spring was unable to
run in any of the 3-year-old classics meaning the
Derby, PreakneSS and Belmont But in 1883 when Tom
Fool was 4, he all 10 of his starts and was ac-
claimed as the champion handicap horse plus
the-year
This is by way of leading up to First Landing, the
Virginia owned 2-year-old champion land winner of
record $39646O in 1858. First Landing like Tom Fool
went wrong as 3-year-old. He won only the Ever
glades at Haleah against mediocre field the second
division of the Derby Trial Louisville and was shelved
after poor showing in the Preakness until last fall
From what he has shown so far at Santa Anta-two
wins In three starts including last Saturdays 1885, 400
Matury-First Landing has chance to follow the pat
tern of Tom Fool With Hillsdales future apparently
doubtful because of ankle swelling Landing prob
ably will be the favoe in the Santa Anita Handicap on
February 2 In the Aqua Caiente winter book his price
has moved from 10-to-1 to 4-to-1.
ON TWO FAR-FLUNG fronts-Caiifornia and Florida
the handicap horses will be in the melight until the
Flamingo and the other winter big ones for S-year-
olds. At Hiaeah, Trainer Elliott Burch put it, Sword
Dancers defeat in his first 1860 outing two days ago makes
the Widener more interesting"
Burchs 3-yearold champion and horse-of-1 1859 took
q pretty good hiding in 7 furlong sprint finishing
fourth behind the 9-year- Petare Master Paynch
and his own Brookmeade stablemate Big Effort This
Is not significant, far at least, because by Eddie
Arcaros admission the little colt unduy punished
Il was as hard him could be for horse coming
out for the first time but certainly no excuses
He Just didn't have the extra kick the Master explained
year ago, when First Landing graduating to the
3-year class in Florida, Chris Chenerys wealthy colt
started much as Sword Dancer did Monday In 7
furlong sprint he finished behind Jim Norris Octopus
after being backed down to 720 difference those 10
wins in II starts 2yearold At the time widely
predicted he would be the shortest priced favore to win
the Triple Crown since Citation.
Then the Everglades and he barely beat some
thing named Moony. Followed slow Derby Trial third
behind Tony Lee and Sword Dancer in the Derby and
nothing at all in the Preakness.
WHEREAS FIRST LANDING never did start moving
Sword Dancer did after missing out by margins in
Florida and in the Derby and Preakness Such was his
rush to the top that Burchs dmnutive protege land
Sided to horse honors. Thus his failure to
win the other day is not too inconsistent for him.
Burch, son of the famed Preston acknowledges that he
has to be careful how he Sword Dancer He won't
run him in the McLennan this Saturday. instance be-
cause he believes this too close to the Widener on
February 20.
Il found that he doesn't show at his best, running
big races only two weeks apart" Burch says Take the
Preakness. He out of hard race in the Kentucky
Derby shipped to Pimco and finished second to Royal
Orbit He just didn't have anything left after getting
the lead coming around the turn. was the same wav
In the Brooklyn Handicap He second again. and
tnlnK the reason he didn't win because the race
came only week after he had won the Monmouth Hand-
cap"
WITH SWORD DANCER out of this weeks McLennan,
tne 1aVorltes role is to fall Bald Eagle winner
the Washington, D. c., International at Laurel on the
grass and Sword Dancers most prominent rival in this
years Widener 1t in the Brooklyn which Elliott Burch
mentioned that Sword Dancer Bald Eagle met for the
only time.
Babu won the Dancer by less than length with
Bald Eagle, crowded much of the way only couple of
Jumps back in fourth place But Sword Dancer was Just
coming into his own then and Bald Eagle had Just
STAKE race in this country Now both presumably are at the
peak of their powers
side issue in the Wdener is the fact that Capt Harry
F. Guggenheim, ruler of Americas current No. racing
stable is owner of Bald Eagle If his horse beats first
CLASS one called the Dancer won't be the time It
was Guggenhems Dark Star who handed Native Dancer
the only defeat of his career in the 1858 Kentucky DERBY
DARK star paid $249O for 81 but Capt. Guggenheim
wasn't holding any tickets The boss of Cain Hoy
eo alVer ms south Carolina plantation) doesn't bet
his horses Il think that with money on vour own horse
tn wise man says you lose perpective on your horse
the Jockey and the trainer"