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MAD MfiW DElF COLTS Mad Frump and Mad Pursuit Cer tain to Be Nominated. Uncertain Temper Only Drawback for, Off spring of Fair Play Stallions Balmy Weather Helps Trainers. LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 4. Mad Hatter, by Fair Play, one of those endurable and erratic lights of the American turf, probably will be well represented in the Kentucky Derby by his offspring. Mad Frump, one of the C. V. Whitney eligibles, was well thought of as a two-year-old, " but he ran only in spots. His best race was his last when he won a stake race in Maryland. Mad Pursuit, runner-up to Top Flight in the Futurity, owned by W. J. Salmon, is another which undoubtedly will be named for the Derby. This Mad Hatter colt failed to race to expectations in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, but like all the get of the Fail Play horse, he had his off days. "The curse of Hastings." That will be the subject discussed for years to come. Hast ings, the sire of Fair Play, who begot the mighty Man o War, as well as Mad Hatter, Display and hundreds of other worth-while racers, was an incorrigible post horse. Jack Joyner, the veteran who trained the son of Spendthrift, says that Hastings was the most ill-mannered post horse he ever handled, Man o War had the curse to some extent. He was so unruly that he was always accompanied to the post by his favorite pony, Display probably was one of the most ob stinate and mulish grandsons of Hastings. He raced for four or five years and was the bane of every starters life who had to handle him.. The Bull, son of Mad Hatter had the taint so badly and became so obdurate under colors that Mr. Healey refrained from starting him even in his stakes engagements last fall. He did send him to Latonia for the Breeders Futurity Stakes, which he won after delaying the start for twenty minutes. The Bull had such a terror for the stall gates, he finally committed hari-kari at the sight of one. While there have been many freaks of the mutuels at the winter tracks during the sea son it has nothing on the weather hereabouts. January 13 and 14 were ideal Derby days. That is, the weather was as balmy and invigorating as that in May. This brand of sunshine brought out all the horses in training at both Churchill. Downs and Douglas Park. Both tracks were good. In fact, there have been few days this winter that both the courses were not fit for galloping. All the horses quartered here are at least three weeks advanced toward conditioning for the spring meeting. Milt Reaiser, who is training at Churchill Downs, Peacock Blue, a two-year-old colt, by Morvich, a half-brother of Unencumbered, says he becomes more impressed, with the colt every day. Peacock Blue is a sway-back and the name of Tenny was suggested for him. He is a sensible youngster and barring his sway-back, a dead-ringer in color and conformation for his famous sire. It is said that Morvich was slightly swayed, but that did not affect his running qualities as a two-year-old. He never lost a race at that age. Tennys sway-back was rather articulated, but his sire Rayon DOr had not even the suggestion of a dipped back. Horses with slight deformities, have often made turf history in America. Joe Hawkins raced a horse he called Sway several years ago, which Had some class. Close observers are wont to say that Misstep had one fore leg shorter than his opposite leg. It is held by many breeders that sires transmit their infirmities to their offsprings. Probably true in many instances. Hastings had a son named Madman and it could be said that others of his get had kindred appellations.
