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BRILLIANT THREE-YEAR-OLD I Chestnut Oak Refutes Theory that He Is Sprinter. » Shows Sensational Performance In Speed Handicap at Belmont Park — May Start in American Classic. That Chestnut Oak. which created a sensation at Belmont Park last Monday when he carried 115 pounds in the Speed Handicap, and ran five and one-half furlongs in the sensationally fast time of 1 :02%, is an almost certain starter in the American Classic, to be run. at Arlington Park. July 13, is indicated by the announcement of his trainer, Johnnie Loftus, that he would ship the colt to the track of the American National Jockey Club after the colt fills his engagement in the Shevlin Handicap at Aqueduct, June 18. By his recent performances, Chestnut Oak, which won last years renewal of the San-ford Stakes, at Saratoga, and afterward ran Jack High and Blue Larkspur to a close finish in the Hopeful Stakes, looms up as a potential aspirant for honors in the Classic, in which he will again meet all of his rivals. Horsemen who have witnessed Chestnut Oak in action declare him to be a veritable speed marvel, and in his present condition it is doubtful if there is any three-year-old that could outrun him for three-quarters. He demonstrated his fleetness of foot in his most recent performance, when he left his opponents far behind after the first eighth. Prior to that effort he displayed a keen performance in running Blue Larkspur to a neck finish in the Withers Stakes, leading the star of the Bradley stable right up to the final strides. This race, which was over one mile, was one of the fastest of the season. The quarter was run in Ot% ; the half in :45%. three-quarters in 1 :10 an 1 the mile in 1 :36. The fast pace set by Chestnut Oak was too much for Jack High, Dr. Freeland and the others that finished in »he rear. Chestnut Oaks races of last year gave many the impression that he would be more of a sprinter than a stayer as a three-year-old. But there is no reason why this son of Apprehension and Bantry Pass should not go on. At any rate he showed a liking for a route in the Withers. Apprehension, his sire, is a son of Friar Rock, himself a famous distance runner. Fire Rock sired Rockmin-ster, which won the Latonia Championship of 1922. and ran the one mile and three-quarters in 2:55%. with 126 pounds up. This is said to have been one of the grandest races ever run by a three-year-old in the United States. Friar Rock also sired Flint-stone. Flat Iron, Emotion and other good route travelers, and Emotion is the dam of High Strung.
