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FINAL j PREPARATIONS FOR DERBY « . Reigh Count and Toro Show Versatility in Negotiating Muddy Footing at Churchill Downs — Petee-Wrack Displays Phenomenal Speed in Workout » LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 17.— Mrs. John D. Hertz Reigh Count and Edward B. ] McLeans Toro, regarded as the foremost hopes of the West and East, respectively, , • in Saturdays renewal of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, had their final j preparation for that one mile and a quarter race. Their strenuous training for the most important engagement of their brilliant racing careers was concluded this | morning when they went out on the muddy Churchill Downs track for workouts over a distance of ground. Reigh Count was given a gallop at one mile and Toro a more exacting workout over the Derby distance. Reigh Count, accompanied for the first three-eighths by Sea Rip, a stable companion, ran the one mile in 1:46% very easily and Toro, working alone, was well in hand at all stages of the one mile and a quarter, which he concluded in 2:12%. Petee-Wrack, the entry of J. R. Macomber, W. J. Currans Louisiana Derby winner Jack Higgins, and the Wild Rose Farms Charmarten were other Derby colts seen in their final work during the rainy morning. The trial of Petee-Wrack, one of the best of the year by any of the numerous prospective candidates, found him speeding over the muddy course for a distance of one mile in 1 :41%. He was under severe pressure during the final three-eighths of the workout. He began at the stand and in a driving rainstorm. Petee-Wrack required twenty-five seconds to traverse the first quarter and a like amount of time for the second quarter. He was caught in 1 :1G for three-quarters and, by good response to his riders urging, did the final quarter in :25%, to complete the mile in the aforementioned time. A few minutes before Petee-Wrack was sent to the track the footing was slow, but the heavy deluge that preceded his appearance on the course had developed muddy going when he was ready for his work. The rain continued incessantly throughout the morning, requiring the Derby candidates to train under adverse conditions, more so than those that confronted the Macomber colt. Jack Higgins was sent at a leisurely pace a half mile in :34 and Charmarten, which exhibited good mud running ability in his recent winning race, was sent one mile in 1 :48. He went easily and at an even pace throughout. Reigh Count was kept under stout restraint throughout his work and, while Sc-a Rip succeeded in keeping on even terms with his illustrious companion for three-eighths, the former was forced to race clear of the latter during the remainder of the distance. He ran the first quarter in :27 and, showing improved speed down the stretch back stretch, completed a half mile in :52%. He finished three-quarters in 1 :lSYs and "Chick" Lang, his rider, tightened his hold in slowing his mount to :2~% for the last quarter. Sea Rip completed his mile in 1:48%. In his final work for the rich fixture, Continued on eighteenth page. FINAL DERBY PREPARATIONS Continued from first page. Reigh Count fully vindicated trainer Bert Michells belief that he is of the versatile sort, equally as well suited by any variety of track. He displayed splendid ability in his long, smooth strides, each of which he took with a confidence which indicated his being at ease in the mud. Trainer John F. Schorr sent Toro into his work from the quarter post unaccompanied. Jockey E. Ambrose had the mount and instructions to keep him well in hand at every stage. After going the first quarter in :2 %, he sped around the Drat turn to complete a half mile in £2% and was caught in 1 :1S for three-quarters. He went the mile in 1:40, mile and a eighth in 1 :59 Had reached the end of the Derby route in 2 :12% in an exceptionally fresh condition. Like Reigh Count and Petee-Wrack, the McLean colt had a bold stride, indicating that he, too, is not at a disadvantage under adierse track conditions. Toro was a late arrival at the track, but It remained for Charmarten to conclude the mornings training gallops. The hitter was given his mile gallop shortly before noon and at a time when the intensity of the storm bad diminished.
