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$ . : and Highlights in Careers of Derby Eligibles Interesting Facts About Three-Year-Olds Soon to Be in Public Gaze. 5 S HIGH TOOT Juvenile Itcconl By Prince lal Belle Fair, owned lj - Starts. 1st. 2d. 3d. Unn. Won. Valley Lake Stable j 4 1111$ 1,750 High Foot is the outstanding colt nominated for the Derby among those that engaged in winter racing. He did not make his reputation as a winter racer, for he already had a solid background as a two-year-old, and was highly regarded by the inner circle of racing men before he made his appearance as a three-year-old. Rather did he enhance the reputation he had already made when he began a new campaign after a rest of several months, and, by winning two of his three races in New Orleans so impressively, strengthened the faith that had already been placed in him. It was quite evident, as early as last May, soon after he won his first start, that the Messrs. Nash and J. B. Partridge, owners of the Valley Lake Stable, were reasonably certain that they had a potential Derby star as it is on record that they refused a very large offer for him the amount was put at ?50,000 by the Dixiana Stable, which is owned by Charles T. Fisher and Dr. Cary T. Grayson. High Foot made his debut in a maiden race at Lexington, April 29. He was third choice in the betting, but he won like a 1 to 2 shot, leading his field by six lengths. His second start was at Churchill Downs and he was unplaced, finishing fourth to All Upset, Gallant Knight and Uncle Matt. This is the only race in which he has failed to finish in the money and the excuse was made for him that he was in close quarters and was given a very weak ride. So sure were the Kentuckians that this was not a true race that they backed him into favoritism in so important a contest as the Bashford Manor Stakes, which brought to the post a field of considerable class.- Again he was beaten by the Southland Stables All Upset, but again High Foot was the victim of a poor ride. In fact, there was little doubt that the Prince Pal colt was best in the race for nearly everything of an adverse nature happened to him, yet he was beaten only by a nose. In the first place he was slow to get away, owing to the riders lack of alertness at the post, leaving among the last three in the big field. He lost much time, as a result of this, and had to be rushed more than was good for him, with his impost of 122 pounds, into the competition. Getting up almost to even terms with All Upset, after passing half a dozen horses, he swerved repeatedly in the stretch and lost more ground, but at the end of the five-eighths he was gaining on All Upset with everp stride and was all but up to him when they crossed the finish line. At Washington Park, in his last race of the year, he disappointed without apparent excuse. He had up only 111 pounds and was the public choice, but the best he could do was a third to Lost Agnes and Timour. High Foot lost his first race of this year, a three-quarters sprint at New Orleans, when even money in the betting. His hard luck was still with him. He stumbled soon after the start and later was carried wide when the only horse front of him bore out. This enabled the second choice to get through and win and caused High Foot to finish third. Thereafter no mistakes of any sort were made and, no mishaps encountered. His next two races were the outstanding performances, by a three-year-old, of the winter, excepting only Greyolas winning of the Agua Caliente Derby. He next met Lightning Jones, which had been eminently successful at New Orleans ; Black Cloud, Reveille Boy and several others, at the six furlongs distance. Conceded eight and a half pounds by Lightning Jones and ten and a half by Reveille Boy, he won by four lengths with much in reserve. His last on the New Orleans track, the Derby Trial Handicap, was even better than that. This race Nwas on a heavy track and High Foot had up 114 pounds. He met among others, Michigan Boy, with 120, and Lightning Jones, with 118. It simply was no contest. High Foot, ridden by C. Meyer, was away in front and soon had a lead of three lengths which he increased as his rider pleased. He won by six lengths, well in hand in the time of 1 :40. High Foot was nominated for the Louisiana Derby, but was withdrawn several days before the race. Michigan Boy, which he had so easily defeated in the Derby Trial Handicap, went on to win the Derby quite handily.
