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DERBY IS MORE IN DOUBT FIGHTING BOB FIGURES IN SENSATIONAL TRIAL OVER CHURCHILL DOWNS TRACK. Colt That Raced Disappointingly in the Camden Handicap Electrifies Work-Watchers by Fastest Kentucky Derby Work-Out on Record. Louisville. Ky.. May 0. — Ceorge Belts Fighting; Bob today set a new track rcccril for a Derby trial at Churchill Downs. Without the aid of a pace-maki- he brake at 1 lie head of the stretch ami worked flic full Derby route of a mile and a quarter in the sensational time of 2:07. He had his full Derby-weight up and on his back was jockey Page, who .-.ill wear Ihe colors aa him in the Derby next Tuesday. Fighting Rob ran the first eighth in 12. the quarter ill 24. three eighl lis in 3S|, Si Dal f in 48;. five-eighths in 1:01 i. three-quarters in 1:141, seven-eighths in 1:27. the mile in 1:41 and the mile anil an eighth in l:54|. Remarkable to relate, he ran the last eighth of the grand trial in 12;!. No horse in the history of the Kentuky Derby .ever ran as fast a trial for the race as Fighting Bob did today. The best similar performance was by Arcite in 1907. when he worked the route in 2:07*. Weather conditions kept him from starting in tlie Derby, which was regarded as being at his mercy had the track remained fast. The next" best Derby trial was made by Sir Huon. which won in 1900. His final trial over th" full course was 2:0.si!. Last years winner. Wintergreen. went his final trial in 2:osi. which was the fastest done by any of tlie candidates last season. In the actual running of the Derby only once has the time recorded been fasier than Fighting Bobs trial of today, the race record being Lieutenant Gibsons 2:o0" in 1900. Fighting Bobs work shades the two next Derby records of 2:07], made by Ben Brush and His Eminence. To add to the merit of Fighting Bobs dazzling trial is the fact that while the track was superb, a keen wind was blowing over the Downs, besides which the air was chilly when he worked. Horsemen stood astounded as the colt pulled up. as they recalled his indifferent race in the Camden Handicap at Lexington last Tuesday. Trainer Cass said: "Ho just did not like to run on the Lexington track. ■■■ That Is all there is to it. I told Page to ease him up when the hill at Lexington was reached and then bring him home fast through the stretch. Instead, he never let the colt slacken his stride up the hill, but sent him right along over the ground he did not like at full speed, and Fighting Bob quit. That is all that can be made out of it." Page says that when he reached the hill Fighting Bob was running so well under him he thought he would just let him go on. as at that point he did not question his ability to reach Donau at anv time. It may have been the lack of seasoning that told on Fighting Bob. He may have needed a race on top of bis good private work. Other work at the track today included a mile and a quarter by the Derby candidate. Gallant Pirate, in 2:11*. He ran his first mile in a shade less than 1:44. Other work-outs were as follows: Marine — Three-quarters in 1:17*. Boca Grande — Three-quarters in 1:18. Delf— Half mile in .10. Bruce Rice — Five-eighths in 1 :09. Dr. Waldo Briggs— Three quarters in 1:19*. Czar— Mile in 1 :«9L l.astina — Three-quarters in 1:19. The racing string of Dr. Crowley, of St. Louis, in charge of Tom Savers, arrived today. John G. Greener, the breeder of Oiscau and Olam-bala. arrived from Nashville to inspect his string in charge of trainer Jom Ferriss. Mr. Greener is on his way to Boston wifli his wife and two daughters. While he will miss the Derby, he will lie in attendance at the meeting later on. A number of horses have recently arrived at Douglas Park. W. G. Hamilton brought four from Nashville: Jack Williams brought nine and James Lallv eight from Latonia: Eugene Lutz came with six. M. McDonald with three, and M. J. Reardon with three from Pelisacola. Fla.
