Training Moves for Derby: Lesser Eligibles in Limelight When Stars Merely Exercise, Daily Racing Form, 1939-04-03

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TRAINING MOVES FOR DERBY Lesser Eligibles in Limelight When Stars Merely Exercise. Opelika Works With Blinkers and Shows an Inclination to Run Lightspur Travels Over One Mile Breezing. LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 1. With the more highly regarded Technician and Xal-apa Clown still confined to lighter exercises, Kentucky Derby candidates of less renown continue to command the spotlight during the training hour at Churchill Downs. Technician was confined to a three furlongs breeze for which he was timed in :41 Friday morning, while Xalapa Clown indulged only in another mile gallop. Meanwhile J. C. Milams Opelika and Decatur, John Marschs Lightspur and Fetter and Browns Tack Point went eight furlongs each on the prevailing slow track. Most impressive in their trials were Opelika and Decatur, each of which seemed to take kindly to his work. Opelika, showing more interest in his work equipped with blinkers, traveled the eight furlongs in handy fashion in 1:45, the half in :51 and three-quarters in 1:18. Decatur breezed the same distance in 1:47 after covering the first half mile in :50 and three-quarters in 1:17. Decatur was eased the last sixteenth, but for which he probably would have improved on Opelikas final time. Lightspur and Tack Point were only breezing, the former traveling the distance in 1:51 and the latter four-fifths of a second faster. Other Derby eligibles in training moves were Dan Lehans Fern Creek; Frank P. Letelliers Southland Gem; Junius W. Bells Steel Heels, Morris Vehons Smart Trick and Mrs. Kate Wils Sleepy Tom. Fern Creek went a handy three-quarters in 1:21, and Smart Trick breezed five furlongs in 1:08. The others were limited to three furlongs spins. Southland Gem and Steel Heels went, along together in :38 and Sleepy Tom breezed the distance in :41.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1930s/drf1939040301/drf1939040301_2_5
Local Identifier: drf1939040301_2_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800