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THREE-YEAR-OLDS OF 1935 Omaha in Belair Stud Stable of W. Woodward Held in High Esteem and Expected to Develop Into Outstanding- Star - Editors Note This is the ninth of a series of articles covering the three-year-olds of 1935 their racing credentials as juveniles and prospects during the current year. . Owner, Belair Stud. Breeder, Belair Stud. Trainer, J. Fitzsimmons. 8 pS.r GaHahad II!. feaU : Plucky Liege Spearmint jj J Concertina ? f 5 - S 5 w f Celt ............ J Commando .Marguerite MaidofErin. g "V LFairyRay Radium 5 J . . " Seraph 5 i ;" o rWraoir - f Robert le Diable f Ayrshire . tr wracic ........ .v;... Rose Bay . jf" . o v Samphire V... Isinglass " e! .5 . Chelandry g and 1 . -I Loi f Durbar IT. Rabelais 3 fFlambette i, V j Armenia lLa Flambee Ajax Medeah S L 2L 3d UnP Won- 1934 ld4 record record 9 14 0 4 ,850 By NORRIS ROYDEN. A three-year-old prospect held in high regard by many racing fans is Omaha, a member of William Woodwards Belair Stud, which won only one of his nine starts as a juvenile. However, the last seven of Omahas efforts were in stakes, and he performed creditably in every one, although meeting many of the best horses of his age As he was usually charging at the end in those events, Omaha came to be regarded as a first class hope for this season when he will be asked to run over greater distances Omaha has the breeding and type to be a great horse and, allowing for the improvement expected from a colt of his lineage, it will not be surprising if he develops into the best three-vear-olds nf thp spnsnn "NTnr win some of the experts be surprised if Omaha continues to lack the scoring punch which characterized his juvenile campaign. Trainer James Fitzsimmons gave Omaha his first taste of competition in mid-June at Aqueduct and the Belair colt was barely nosed out by Sir Lamorak after making up ground slowly in -the dash of five furlongs. A few days later he stepped that-distance in the excellent time of :58 for his lone victory, defeating Allen Z. by a head, while Moisson was third. The son of Gallant Fox and Flambino did no more racing until August at Saratoga, where he was a. member of the United States Hotel Stakes field. Away poorly, Omaha made up ground slowly until reaching the stretch, where he showed more speed to land fourth position a half-dozen lengths back of Balladier. Today was second and Polar Flight third. In the Saratoga Special, his next start, Omaha again was in the rear division in the early stages, but he closed4 fast through the final straightaway to again finish fourth, but he was beaten only two lengths by the winner, which in this case was Boxthorn. Plat Eye was second and Today third. Continuing to show improvement, Omaha landed the place in the Sanford Stakes with an even more impressive stretch run, being beaten two lengths by Psychic Bid, but listing Boxthorn, Today and other.youngsters among the victims. As his three previous efforts at Saratoga were at six furlongs, Omaha was considered to have a splendid chance of victory in the Hopeful Stakes, which was a sixteenth of a mile farther. In the rich Saratoga event the Gallant Fox colt again staged his customary late rush, but he had to be content with fourth honors, as the victory went to the speedier Psychic Bid, with Rosemont second and Esposa third. Back of Omaha, however, were Boxthorn, Black Gift, Try Sympathy, Balladier, Plat Eye, Special Agent, St. Bernard and other smart youngsters. By virtue of his fine Hopeful effort Omaha went into the Champagne Stakes over the Widener course- at Belmont Park an even-money favorite, and he once more had speed at the finish, but his closing bid fell short by inches of gaining the decision over Balladier. The Bradley colt was forced to run the six and one-half furlongs in the new track record time of 1:16 to get the verdict. A muddy track prevailed for the Belmont Futurity, and this may have worked against Omaha, but just the same he was in the thick of the fight during the last half mile and finished fourth, five lengths back of Chance Sun. Balladier was second and Plat Eye third, while back of the Belair representative were Good Gamble, Rosemont, Boxthorn, Shoeless Joe, Nautch, Candy Prince, Psychic Bid and others. Omaha made only one other start, which was in the Junior Champion Stakes, at one mile. Because of the added distance he was installed the favorite, but the wind-up found him beaten a very narrow margin by Sailor Beware after he had improved his position steadily through the stretch. With riders reversed Omaha probably would have beaten Sailor Beware. From a breeding standpoint Omaha leaves nothing to be desired, except for early speed, perhaps. His sire Gallant Fox was the standout three-year-old of his season, winning more money in one year than any other horse ever has. Omahas dam Flambino was a stakes-winning daughter of Wrack, and her dam Flambette captured the Coaching Club American and Latonia Oaks. Also out of this immediate family have come Fleam, The Scout and Flaming all stout performers. If Omaha moves up at ajl this season over his juvenile form he will be a contender for the championship.
