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Equipoise , , , to Start in ga Preakness « Stakes Whitney Star Recovers From Recent Attack and Works Impressively » Goes Mile and a Quarter in 2:11, the First Mile in 1 :41 2-5 — Mate Also Displays Fine Form and Appears Ready for 0,000 Race « PIMLICO, Md., May 4. — Equipoise will be a starter in the 0,000 Preakness, mile and three-sixteenths feature on Saturday. That was the word passed out here this morning by trainer Freddie Hopkins after Cornelius Whitneys three-year-old chestnut son of Pennant and Swinging had worked a mile and one-quarter in the fractional time of :23!f„ :35%, :48, 1:00%, 1:14, 1:27%, 1:41%, 1:55% and 2:11. The work proved that last years largest money winning two-year-old has fully recovered from the attack of azatoria, which caused him to lose the power of his rear legs during the running of the Chesapeake Stakes at the recent Havre de Grace meeting. Equipoises work was witnessed by hundreds of horsemen and racing fans. More than fifty watches were held on the colt as trainer Hopkins waved Harry Shillick to step the colt along. The early favorite for the Preakness, which held a similar position in the wagering on the Kentucky Derby to be run over the mile and one-quarter route on Saturday, May 16, at Churchill Downs. Ky., worked along the inner rail throughout his move. The track was figured to be two seconds of its besjt form due to the heavy rains of last Friday and early Saturday morning, still Equipoise went along at a clip that made it appear lightning fast. HORSEMEN ASTONISHED. There was a gasp of astonishment among the horsemen as their watches registered 1:41% at the mile post. The colt continued on by the mile and an eighth pole in 1:55% and, while many thought he trailed off a bit going to the mile and a quarter mark, he then reached that point in 2:11. Following the work, trainer Hopkins stated that he had not changed his plans of giving Equipoise a mile and an eighth publio trial between races Wednesday afternoon. J. W. "Big Jim" Healy, who handles A. C. Bostwicks Mate, a candidate for Saturdays feature, as well as the big event the following week in Kentucky, did not lose any faith in his colt following Equipoises work, for he also sent Mate a mile and a quarter. Trainer Healy was waving Mate up after passing the mile mark. His fractions for the mile and one-quarter were :25, :38%, :51%. 1:04, 1:16%, 1:30, 1:43%. 1:56% and 2:11%. Mate was full of run at the end and showed every indication of being able to carry his speed over a route with weight up. With Equipoise back in form. Mate, Ladder, Twenty Grand. Surf Board. Anchors Aweigh, Clock Tower. Soil Gills and several others literally crying to get into action, the Preakness on Saturday promises to produce the best sport since the race was inaugurated.
