view raw text
KENTUCKY DERBY PROSPECTS H. T. Archibalds Hope— Candy Queen i ~ * H. T. Archibald, the Chicago sportsman, who only last year became actively identified with the sport of racing, has, according to all indications, designs on the 1927 Kentucky Derby. There- is every reason for such a pleasing anticipation on the part of Mr. Archibald, for did he not possess one of the most precocious two-year-olds of 1926? Candy Queen was certainly a top-notcher and, though small, every inch a race horse. When the entries for the Kentucky Derby closed it was found that Mr. Archibald not only named Candy Queen, but four other stablemates, namely, Candy Blackbird, Crystal Domino, Candy Hog and Candy Pig. However, it is safe to assume that Candy Queen will be the main reliance of Mr. Archibald in the Derby, provided she meets with no mishap in training. Candy Queen is a daughter of Stefan the Great — Kalavala. bred to run fast and far. Her record as a two-year-old entitles her to careful consideration as a Derby prospect. Probably Candy Queens greatest race was in the Futurity at Belmont Park, in which she finished second to W. M. Jeffords Scapa Flow, a speedy son of Man o War. The Stefan the Great filly was at her best for that rich race and, starting almost even with Scapa Flow, clung tenaciously to his side, a half-length back, to the half-mile post, where she slowly worked her way up until only the Jeffords colts head was showing in front. She forced Scapa Flow along at a terrific pace to the stretch, and one misstep on his part would have cost him the race. At the finish Candy Queen was still at his side, a neck back, and showing no signs of giving up the struggle. Scapa Flow, however, like his illustrious sire, did not know the meaning of quit, and won probably the closest race in the history of the Futurity Stakes. The remainder of the starters were never in the race and, at the finish, a length and a half separated Candy Queen from Valorous, the third horse. Among the other starters were such well-known youngsters as Lord Chaucer, winner of the Hopeful Stakes; Pantella, General Lee, Aromagne, Termagant and others of lesser note. This race was the only one of any great importance in which Candy Queen started in which the going was fast. CANDY QUEEN The track was slow for the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, and Candy Queen was forced to race in the deepest going throughout. As a result, she finished fifth to Lord Chaucer. Termagant, Scapa Flow and Pantella, four and a half lengths back of the winner. She was also crowded a bit at the start, and although she managed to improve her position somewhat in the first five-eighths it availed her nothing and she tired in the stretch. That Candy Queen was not far behind the best of the colts was demonstrated when she met Osmand in the Flash Stakes earlier in the year. In the old Saratoga fixture the Archibald filly was made the choice over Osmand and gave the mighty son of Sweeper a few trying moments before victory was assured. Thurber sent the filly off to a flying start, but. Sande. on Osmand, soon rushed his mount into a lead of a length and a half, and try as she would, the best Candy Queen could do thereafter was to cut this lead in half, although at the finish she was slowly wearing the colt down. It was only the skill of the peerless Sande that made possible Osmands success. The reputation earned by Candy Queen in the East was such as to send her to the post favorite for the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, but again the track was sloppy and the Whitney pair. Valorous and Bostouian. both led her to the finish. She had no excuses. Garner rode her well, sent her into the lead at once, but at the five-eighths post she tired and Valorous took the lead and slowly drew away, while Bostonians rush in the stretch deprived her of second money. Candy Qgie— started twice more in Kentucky in valuable stake races, never having a chance in the Lexington Club Handicap because of interference, but upholding her reputation in the Breeders Futurity, in which she was second to Wood Lore, beaten by half a length. Again she was a favorite, sharing that honor with the winner. Mr. Archibald wintered the gallant filly at Churchill Downs, and she has been doing her preliminary training for the big race in a manner that leaves no doubt j of her being fit and ready to battle with the best of her age and perhaps emulate the glorious performance of H. P. Whitneys Regret, the only filly that has yet ever won the Kentucky Derby.
