view raw text
DIXIE RENEWAL ON MAY 10 Pompoon and Cravat Both Preparing for Pimlico Fixture. Louchheim Star May Be Early Factor, While Cravat Makes His Move in the Stretch. BALTIMORE, Md., April 17.-rThe Dixie Handicap, older than the famed Preakness and the Kentucky Derby, and one of the most important stakes on the American turf, will recall to spectators on May 10 two great races the Preakness of 1937 and 1938. It was in 1937 that Pompoon hooked up with the great War Admiral in a brilliant duel for the entire one mile and three-sixteenths to steal the show from the six other candidates. And it was only a year ago that Cravat, after trailing dismally for the first mile, came charging through the rain-soaked stretch to threaten the winning drive of William du Ponts Dauber. Pompoon and Cravat, one five and the other four years old, are expected to meet for the first time in the Dixie and when they do they will probably perform in their own individual style. Pompoon will undoubtedly be a forward factor during the entire running of the race, wearing down the speed horses as the furlong post is passed and assuming the lead in the stretch. On the other hand, Cravat will pursue his own course of trailing the field for the first three-quarters of a mile, keeping out of trouble and rounding the far turn may start to pick up the speed stars who were hopeful of assuming a commanding lead which would last the entire distance. Turning into the i stretch, the Townsend B. Martin colt can really show speed, feeling at home on a racing strip which he favors whether it be fast or muddy. MAY SEE GREAT RACE. Should this speculation become a reality, the 20,000 fans expected on Dixie Day will see a spectacular stretch duel between two great thoroughbreds, creditable failures in the Preakness, but courageous and plucky now with the opportunity of avenging defeats suffered over the old Pimlico strip on former and more memorable days in May. Pompoons partiality for Pimlico is well known as evidenced in his Preakness and his remarkable victory in the Dixie last year performed in track record time and only bettered by the great Seabiscuit when defeating War Admiral in November. The Louchheim colorbearer has been quartered at the Maryland Jockey Club course for the past month and his handler, the capable Johnny Loftus, has him training in splendid manner for the Dixie. On Monday Cravat will be moved into Pimlico and begin his training grind, entirely oblivious that his chief competitor is I within hailing distance. The training move-j ments of both thoroughbreds will be watched i closely by the railbirds since it is known that both owners are particularly anxious to win the Dixie Handicap and have that event as their immediate objective. CRAVAT HIGHLY CONSDDERED. Cravat, in returning to Pimlico, carries with him increased respect following his sparkling victory in the mile and a half San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita on March 11. In that stern test of stamina, he defeated a powerful field of eighteen candidates for I distance-running honors and added the tidy i sum of 5,200 to his earnings. Pompoon and Cravat, two of a list of sixty-two candidates for first honors in the Dixie, will have their work cut out for them and the true story of the race may feature the names of Bull Lea, Conquer, Jacola, Thanksgiving, Esposa, Heelfly or perhaps one or more of the lesser lights never seriously regarded as a threat.
