Evening star., 1962-05-18
Jaipur Lukewarn Favorite
Preokness
Still Rated
Wide Open
By JOSEPH B. KELLY
Star staff Writer

By JOSEPH B. KELLY
Star staff Writer
BALTIMORE. May 18.-I In
the last 20 years. II Preakness
favorites have gone postward
as less than 2-to-1 favorites,
but such does not appear the
case for the 86th running Of
Maryland's most famous horse
race tomorrow at Pimlico.
Eleven Of the finest 3-year-
olds in the Nation were entered
yesterday for the second leg
Of the Triple Crown, and al
though Decidedly. the colt who
fooled the experts in the Ken
lucky Derby. is among them.
he's expected to have his hands
full.
Oldtimers are straining their
memories in an attempt to
remember when a more closely
matched field was lined up for
the mile-and-three -sixteenths
race. At least seven Of the IL
are being strongly supported
and many horsemen remain
unconvinced on Decidedly. de-
spite his 2l4-length victory
down the Louisville stretch two
weeks ago.
Jaipur Is Supported
Many are looking toward
George D. Widener's Jaipur. the
swift racer who is unbeaten
in his only two starts this year
the Gotham Stakes and
Withers Mile-aS the horse to
beat. Others are arguing over
Roman Line, Ridan and Sun
rise County.
Roman Line had the lead for
a scant few moments in the
stretch in Kentucky and fin
ished second. Ridan, the early
speed horse. can steal If he can
last the route. Sunrise County.
the "drifter" who can spell
trouble in more ways than one,
was q creditable fifth in the
Derby. beaten only about four
and also led after
three-quarters of a mile.
Even Pimlico's official handi-
capper, Blair Wilkerson, can't
buy" Decidedly. The program
will open tomorrow with Jaipur
as the 5-to-2 favorite. with
Bobby UsSery up.
Decidedly and Bill Hartack
are quoted at 81 along with
Ridan and Manuel Ycaza.
From there the odds jump to
81 for Roman Line, 10-1 on
Crimson Satin, 12-1 Sunrise
County, ISL each on Vimy
Ridge and Greek Money. 20-l
for Green Hornet. and 30-l
each for Prego and Flying
Johnnie.
Decidedly Gets No. 5
In the draw for post positions
yesterday, the Big Three die
extremely we'll. Jaipur will
break from the No. 3 stall, De-
cidedly from five and Ridar
from six.
Hard luck continues to dog
Sunrise County. He was handed
the undesirable 11th spot. Thi:
undoubtedly influenced the
track handicapper's odds as ht
raised him to 12-1 against the
$3.50 to one price he went of
at in the Derby.
At the two-hour traditiona
"alibi breakfast" yesterday a
Pimlico, trainers made it clea,
that they now find no faul
with the racing strip which
came in for some stern critic
ism earlier in the week wheI
rocks and pebbles were founC
on it.
The condition was cleared
up and Decidedly's trainer
Horatio Luro, congratulate
the management for the excel
lent job on the track.
IF my horse loses. it will no
be because of the track" Lur,
said.
ArcarO Likes Jaipur
Retired jockey Eddie Arcar,
acted as master of ceremonie
at the breakfast attended b,
owners. trainers. track bras
and radio and TV representa-
tives. Pressed for his choice
Arcaro said he probably woulC
select Jaipur but qualified hi
answer by explaining:
Provided I knew that tn
colt was fully recovered from
an infected foot and was run
ming as freely as he did las
season"
A victory for Decidedly to
morrow would keep alive tn
colts bid to become racing
ninth Triple Crown winner
The eighth and last horse t,
accomplish the feat was Calu
met Farms Citation in 1948.
Tomorrow's winner earn
$135,800 and the famed Wood
lawn Vase.
Warm, clear weather is pre-
dicted and this is good new
for some 5000 fans who vii
view the race from the infielt
at 81 and also for those in tn
uncovered reserved seats.
Tomorrow's program will be
gin at lis pm. with pos
time for the big event set TO
5:45. The race will be tele
vised nationally, but blacket
out in the Washington -Balti
more area.
S17,442 TWIN |