Evening star., 1960-05-19
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAU By FRANCIS STANN
What Became of the ChoiIenqers?

BALTIMORE MAY 19.-They are putting $175lOO up
for grabs Saturday in the 84h running of the Preaknes
but as these lines written precious few 3year
going for the Did Venetian Ways smashing victory
the Kentucky Derby discourage horsemen to that extent?
Unless there surprise entrant or two to beef up
the PreakneSS field before 10 tomorrow looks if
only five horses, including Baly Ache, will oppose the
Derby winner. Back in February the horSey set was
thinking of the 3yearold generation not only superb
for brilance but for depth Whatever became of what
Casey stengel would call all that bench strength?"
HorSemen are not notorious for hating money AS
things stand now the winner of the PreakneS will
$210OO To the runnerup will go s3OOOO and then down
to $4,000 for third and $500 for fourth.
And yet there are only five willing to take crack
at Venetian Way, whose record-a Pimlicos Charlie
johnson puts it's mot nearly well laundered" as
some of the other Preakness favoriteS.
THE SHARPLY TRAINED Derby winner captured only
four of nine 2yearod although he did defeat
Baly Ache at six furlongs in the Washington Park
Futury. bone chip kept him of the Garden State
Stakes in which Warfare, casualty himself cnched
the 2year old title blood infection eliminated Venetian
Way from the Flamingo and he second by to
Bay Ache in the Florida Derby and badly trimmed week
before the Louisville classic by Baly Ache in
furlong allowance race.
But Venetian Ways triumph in the Kentucky Derby
was humping impressive one with his 31a-length
margin Bay Ache and for the way shook off the
favored Tompion when both began their nearing
the turn out the backstretch
Ache
as well have been unsadded at the quarter pole There
was no contest beyond that if it had been boxing
match referee would have stopped it. But even after
that good win the PreakneS people can't understand what
tantamount to whoppng testimonial to Venetian Way
meaning the small field.
1t is pointed out-and properly-that two wears aoo
I'm Tam won the Kentucky Derby Florida Derby and
Famingo but Preakness day there were II horses who
old not yet believe in his ability Nashua was opposed nv
by six N--00-
Not since Hill Princes year in 1850 does one find
PreakneSs favorite with five opponentsif that
small number stands up
IF IT'S ANY CONSOLATION to the pn,1ico orou,a
there have been fewer colts in Preaknesses which MI
aey were termed better than average if not great races
1here were only three to oppose Citation in 948 and three
to meet up with Count Fleet in l943
Turf writer's tradtonally generous with horse
owners entrance fees although of the press box
hhaoltantS have been known horses themselves
MOI good ones perhaps but most had four legs ANYWAY
preSS-box poll yesterday indicated that more than two
dozen veterans who the Derby and are poised for
PreakneSS don't think Venetian Way has a lock by any
means.
AS matter of fact, it was only by the sIimmes of
margins that Venetian Way prevailed as choice over
Baly Ache and there large sprnkng of sentiment
for Victoria Park third in the Derby Bob Sloan utes
manager of Pimlico estimates that Baly Ache will be no
more than 2-to-1 second choice.
THERE is CONCRETE reason to fancy Ballv Ache
despite his failure in Louisville Even before he sddenv
became worth $125OOOO the hoof few days ago. the
son OF Ballydam and Celestial Blue-the old man a
sprinter and the mommy neutrality-suspicious. pretty
good bet to bring something back every time he went to
the post He has Is times "a times he has come
back with check His sole out-ofth effort was
on winters day in 1859 in Hialeah he made his
formal debut Baly Ache couldn't find his way out of the
gate in one of these cavalry charges three urongs that
Hialeah runs for baby horses.
The thinkers figure that the Preakness is tailored
to the style of Bay Ache who long since has learned
how to take lead Pmlico has sharper than most
major tracks and it helps to be a fron-runner AS a
matter OF record 20 colts since 1909 have led from post
to wire in this
Now watch Victoria Park take it all At price