view raw text
XING HEROD AND TUMBLERS MEETING. Outcome of Their Race Causes Doubt as Their Chances in the Kentucky Derby. By J. R. Jeffery. Paltimore. Md.. April ML — It cannot truthfully be said that cither Harry Payne Whitneys Tumbler or Grant Hugh Prownes much vaunted Colin colt. King Herod, two prominent candidates for Kentucky Derby honors that met in an overnight baa dionp at Havre cle Grace Tuesday, emerged from that race with a greatly eiihanec.l reputation. After the race had been run and can-fully analyzed, horsemen generally were of tin- opinion that both King Herod and Tumbler will have to improve greatly if they are to out any figure in the r. inning of the great three-year old race at Churchill Downs next month. The race was at one mile and seventy yards and Tumbler, fresh from a winters rest at the Prook lale farm of his owner iu New fclMy, collapsed after setting the pare for about a mile and barely eseape,| being unplaced. King Herod was cbxc at Tumblers heels when he began to weaken and went on to victory. While there was a disposition on the part of some horsemen to give Colbis son credit for having done all that had been asked of hii: . the more critical among them declared that his Bttfarauaaea possessed little value beyond confirming the widely entertained nation that the increased distance would bo to his liking. In support of this contention, they pointed to the close proximity of such ordinary selling platen as Kentucky Poy and Golden date at the finish and to the slow time in which the race was run. It eannit be denied that King Herod is training exceptionally well for his Derby engagement. After a winters preliminary preparation under favorable conditions at Charleston, the handsome Knglish bred son of the unbeaten Colin has been coming along ill fine style since the opening of tiie eastern racing season anil there is not the slightest doubt thai lie will he a dead fit horse when the time comes for filling his Derby engagement. Former jockey D. K. Mi-Daniel, who has him in charge, has gradually been lengthening the distances at which he has been asked to lace and the celt lias in all instances responded satisfactorily. His success of Tuesday represents his mart notable achievement to date. In his earlier races tl.e call ran in a sluggish manner and did not readily settle into his stride. His last two performances represent a distinct improvement in this respect and it is evident that the colt is finding his racing legs and l"arning what is required of him. He is such a good looking horse and comes from such renowned parentage that many horsemen believe he will eventually develop into a high lass racer. Ili-i record of last season should be utterly disregarded in all calcula tions. since he was far from being ready for either of his two starts. This season he has won three of his four starts, the only occasion on which he has met defeat being when the redoubtable Fruit Cake took his measure at Havre de Jrace last week. In the race at I.owie in Which he easily scored over II., minis and •then of his own age. he carried 115 pounds, which con finned the general belief that the higher weights will not bother him. Tumblers Showing a Disappointment. It is no aural that Tumblers showing on Tuesday was a distinct disappointment to his stable connections. James Rowe. who is a pastmastor iu the art of fitting horses for a winning performance the first time out. had shipped the son of All Gold Pllp Flap to the Havre de Grace course from I.ronki.ale Farm the day before with the assurance that he was ready. When stripped in the saddling paddock. Tumbler fitte.l the exacting eye of good judge:, as to physical condition and was much admired. It was noted that he was not quite so high in flesh, as win 11 he was racing last year, which waa attributed in some quarters to the fact that he had been gelde.I iu the meantime. The general conclusion after the race was that in spite of James Howes conceded skill the gelding may have been a trifle short and tiiat he might reasonably lie expected to improve when next he appears iu public. Dp to the time of his coll. 1 is- soon after King Herod challenged. Tumbler had been setting the pace under mild restraint and it was evident from jockey Robinsons tactics that he felt entirely confident of his mounts ability to win and was greatly surprised when lie weakened. On tiie other iiand. then are some good judges among the horsemen who entertain a deeply rooted prejudice against the get of All Gold, royally bred though that stallion may be. an 1 this element appeared pessimistic over Mr. Whitneys chances for winning the Kentucky Derby, unless traintr Rowe has something in reserve besides Tumbh r to send alttr the coveted prize. They point out that Tumbler is the image of his sire and fear that he has inherited all of the characteristics that made All Cold so — popular with American hois men, and esoi cially those most intimately concerned, when an attempt was made to win a race with him after his arrival in this eoaa try from laigland. where Mr. Whitney paid 3,500 for him for stud purposes. All Gold trained re markably well for his American races, but dis played an aversion to rice wlc-n the question was asked of him and finally was retired to tl; • stun after a scries of disappointing performances. Prosperous Conditions at Havre do Grace. The Havre de Grace track is having the most prosperous meeting in its history. The patronage has been running Car iu advance of all previous figures and a new record for puri-mutir-1 speculation at this course was made last Saturday, when $"S3. 000 passed through the machines. This i-, considered] remarkable for a spring meeting in this locality. The best previous figure was *0,000 and was made in the fall, when tiie volume of speculation is usually considerably heavier than at the spring meeting*. William Cahiil was bersetem he a time this week. Miss Kruti r and Kebo having be. 11 1 laimeii from him out of selling races. The latter Was returned to him 011 account of an irregularity in the claiming process and he has repurchased Miss Kruter, o his stable is once more intact. Top a" th Morning, whose jierfonnaiieos this spring have been so disappointing, presents a lighter appearance than when ha was racing so well last season. King Paggot. which won a race in the colors of R. F. Carman a day or two ago, is a right good-looking three year-old. I. T. Chinn has been making his presence felt since the arrival of his stable from Kentucky. The victories of Peckna and Nightstick are said to have been attended with much profit to the connections of the stable. EL I. Brawn has just arrived at Havana, where he will put in a month or so supervising tl.e carrying out of the plans he has formulated for the further hcuiitificution of Oriental Park. Steve Judge and Al Goodwin, two well-known western trainers, are among the recent arrivals from Tijuana. Jockey H. Stearns has arrived from the same place. Stuart Polk brought the useful sprinter Pullux here from Tijuana for E. J. Soule and also has in charge the hitters most recent acquisition, Stella rina. Charles Ledgett, who for many years held the program concession at Oakland, is among the latest arrivals from California. He plans to visit the New York tracks at the close of the Maryland season. Former jockey W. Knapp is on hand at Harve de Grace. He is now connected with one of the metropolitan stables. Dr. B. B. Larrick has the horses of Dr. J. S. Tyree in good form this spring. This stable wintered at Penning and. among its employes, is former jockey John Pullman.
