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THREE-YEAR-OLD PROSPECTS OF 1939 THIRD DEGREE By NOBBIS BOYDEN i. J In Third Degree, the Greentree Stable had one of the better two-year-olds of last season, although he was never able to enter the stakes-winning class. The son of Questionnaire and Panache, by Broomstick, was held in high respect as he went about the country scoring four victories in thirteen starts, being three times second and four times third. He might have landed a stake or two, but Third Degree was bothered with foot trouble during a large portion of his campaign. Mrs. Payne Whitneys colorbearer has overcome his foot ailment, but, unfortunately, he failed to grow much since last year, although filling out somewhat. Nevertheless, he is a colt of considerable courage and shows promise of being a distance runner, so he may go in his three-year-old engagements. Last season Third Degree began early and finished late. He won his first start at Hialeah Park over Our Mat and then was nosed out by Selmalad, although finishing stoutly. In his other effort over the three-furlong straight course, he was third to Maeline and Ariel Toy in the Hialeah Juvenile Championship Stakes. After winning an allowance event at Keeneland, the Greentree colt went after the Bashford Manor Stakes but tired near the end to finish fourth as Royal Pam won with Unerring second and his stablemate, Cherry Jam, third. A few days later he held Donita M. to a half-length in the National Stallion Stakes at Belmont, and then was laid away for the third time since he began racing. His return to competition was in the United States Hotel Stakes at Saratoga, in which his portion was third, seven lengths back of El Chico, as Eight Thirty was second. Third Degree again had to be content with third honors in the Grand Union Hotel Stakes but was beaten only two lengths by No Competition as his stablemate, Hash, was second. Next came the Albany Handicap, in which he lacked racing room in the stretch and wound up in seventh position, although beaten only by two lengths by Eight Thirty, which lost the victory through a disqualification. At Belmont Park the son of Questionnaire was given a pair of outings in preparation for the Futurity, winning the first over an average bunch of youngsters and losing the second by a neck to Beau James. In the Futurity Third Degree went smartly all the way, and the finish of the six and one-half furlongs straightaway found him in third place, just two lengths back of Porters Mite and at the heels of Eight Thirty. In a preparatory effort for the Breeders Futurity at Keeneland, Third Degree won by six lengths, but a few days later his foot was ailing again and he had to pass up the engagement in that race, in which he probably would have vied with Johnstown for the post of favoritism. Although his training was interrupted, he sought top honors in the Pimlico Futurity, but after taking a clear lead on the second turn he weakened as if short and was beaten a length and a half by Challedon, although finishing the mile and one-sixteenth ahead of Gilded Knight, Big Hurry, Impound and others. If Third Degree had been even reasonably sound through his juvenile campaign, his record probably would be more impressive than it now shows, but it was such as to give him a place among the more promising candidates for three-year-old honors. His connections would like him better, however, if he had put on some height as well as weight during the off-season. Third Degree is by the promising sire, Questionnaire, a good horse over varied distances, and is from Panache, which also produced the good stakes winner, St. Brideaux, so he should get stamina from both top and bottom lines. He also has a doubling up of Domino, from which speed may be forthcoming. In addition to Third Degree, Mrs. Whitney has another likely three-year-old candidate in Hash, and this colt, having more size and substance, may prove the better. He went postward only five times last season, winning twice and finishing second on three occasions, once in the Grand Union Hotel Stakes. Hash likewise is by Questionnaire, but is from Delicacy, by Chicle, and appears well fortified to carry weight over a distance of ground. King James.. Plaudit Unsightly Auntie Mum Melton Adderly tn -I I rVoter Friars Balsam r w LGnat ;. J Mavourneen - N c Mosquito Comando g Sandfly riH fDomino. ........... tHimyar S . rDisguise .....J Mannie Gray or 3 Bonnie Gal ! Galopin J I Bonnie Doon W I , , f Star Ruby Hampton pj $ S LRuby xr Nethersole J Ornament g . LNethersole Tournament Fary Slipper p o " - . Bramble Bonnie Scotland J j g f rush..... Roseville Reform S - SVJ Albia - 5 C 8 1 I TGalliard Galopin w I Elf ... A ; Mavis g ISylvabelle ; Bend Or . c J Saint Editha Pi r Commando A Domino , r Peter Pan...... ." Emma C. . .c I Cinderella Hermit I l S J Mazurka 1 r Sain t St. Serf LSainotta -I The Task L Ottawa King Ernest Wyandotte
