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" * Jl ft jdffl lift jfl WL Mm ■ jM Ul mHKTM » BUM mWy JiiitffMyiiBwfc" ■ yfiB SB Wm ppprai |p :?:;- Ill H WL 3tt and£$ : : *-£5«andlii£s»and;:: ■ : *i:v ;:9£saBHKflRandHH B:* bh §andand4a §jg ■ m HiBM *" ■tmmSs* "SKfeSlgS SI "TOM" ■"» ■■■■Il ■»" nmmi* "■ nrnmmi miimmmnmn ™ illHllllllWIWl 1 1 W I IIWWWIIllilllB WW r "l III ■llll KENTUCKY DERBY PROSPECrf Rip Rap, ch. c, by Broomstick-Sky Blue, by All Gold Owned by Sage Stable — Trained by Max Hirsch $ . . — i — $ Shortly after the appearance of the Kentucky Derby entries for 1927, the first "future book" prices were announced and there was considerable curiosity, 1 if not surprise, over the fact that Rip Rap was quoted almost on a par with Osmand, the favorite. A curious public was anxious to ascertain just why this colt was held in such high esteem. That curiosity has not as yet been satisfied. This much is known of Rip Rap: He is a chestnut colt, by Broomstick — Sky Blue, by All Gold, owned by the Sage Stable and trained by Max Hirsch. Bred by Harry Payne Whitney, Rip Rap is a descendant of the Ben Brush, Bramble, Bonnie Scotland line, one of the most successful of our American families, of which Broomstick, the daddy of Rip Rap, is the greatest modern exponent. There is nothing lacking, as far as blood lines are concerned, on either the paternal or dam sides of Rip Raps pedigree. As to his racing career, it has been brief but successful. He won three of the only four races in which he started. His greatest claim to fame was a narrowly achieved victory in the Walden Stakes at Pimlico. The Walden is one of the outstanding juvenile fixtures of Autumn racing in the East and a two-year-old capable of defeating the stars, usually found among the contestants, commands the attention of shrewd judges when Derby candidates are being considered the following year. Worth the exceedingly tidy sum of 1,250, the Walden Stakes of 1926 attracted among others, the Rancocas pair of Sweepster and Sankari, W. J. Salmons Black Panther, H. P. Whitneys Afterglow and H.G. Bedwells Chairman. The Rancocas Stables entry was installed odds-on favorite with Rip Rap considered a contender, but the Sage Stables youngster proved more than a contender. He turned out to be a tartar for the others and, showing brilliant speed, scored in virtually the last stride by a nose, Black Panther being second and Sweepster third, followed by Sankari. "TOM" ■"» ■■■■Il ■»" nmmi* "■ nrnmmi miimmmnmn ™ illHllllllWIWl 1 1 W I IIWWWIIllilllB WW r "l III ■llll RIP RIP When the start for the race came, Sweepster, moving along easily under his 120 pounds, raced to the front, disposing quickly of Burd Helen. Gold Coin was third, with Black Panther fourth, not far behind the leading trio. Rip Rap was away in something of a tangle, but he displayed all of his speed and ODonnell did not hurry him in the early stages, content to let his mount make up the lost ground gradually. At the three-quarters mile post, the race had narrowed down to three of the starters, with Sweepster still maintaining his lead, Black Panther second, and Rip Rap within striking distance, in third place. On the stretch turn Callahan made his move with Black Panther and the Salmon colt responded nobly, taking the lead from Sweepster and appearing capable of holding it to the finish. ODonnell, however, had reserved his mount and when they were well straightened out for the final drive to the finish, he called on Rip Rap and the Broomstick colt began to creep up on the son of Black Toney. Although he was gaining fast, it looked as if his task was hopeless twenty yards from the finish. Riding with all the skill at his command, ODonnell coaxed, cajoled, whipped and did exerything within his power and finally, in a mighty finish, fairly lifted Rip Rap across the finish line winner by a nose. Rip Rap carried 119 pounds, ran the mile in 1:41 over a good track and showed that he had the courage of the Broomstick clan. Sankari carried 122 pounds, Sweepster 120. while Black Panther had up only 104 pounds. It was not until the Empire City meeting in October that Rip Rap made his debut on the turf. He won an overnight race at five and a half furlongs, over a muddy track, displaying speed and gameness to score by a head. Then came the Pimlico Futurity, for which Rip Rap had been especially prepared, only to prove a dismal disappointment by finishing ninth in a field of sixteen. A few days later, Rip Rap came back in a three-quarters mile dash, and, displaying a high order of speed, won by eight lengths in the fast time of 1:12%. He went into winter quarters after his glorious triumph in the Walden, and is said to have thrived during the cold months. Trainer Max Hirsch has him at Belmont Park preparing for the long, hard grind that is so necessary to have a Derby starter ready for the supreme test when the bugle sounds at beautiful Churchill Downs on May 14. Certain it is. Rip Rap will be in perfect condition if he starts in the Derby, and, from all indications, he possesses the requisite qualifications — speed, gameness. weight-carrying ability and stamina— to carry off Americas most coveted turf prize.
