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*-- 1 Here and There on the Turf Johnstown Deserves Favoritism Must Be Tested for Stamina Has No Mud-Running Form Technician in Sharp Condition * k Johnstown is an outstanding1 favorite to capture the sixty-fifth Kentucky Derby. He has every right to be because of the hollow fashion in which he has galloped away from his opponents in his three preparatory efforts topped by the Wood Memorial Stakes, yet if he is to be beaten it will be due to the iniability to stay the Derby distance of a mile and a quarter. Up to the distance of the Wood, a mile and seventy yards, or perhaps a trifle farther, William Woodwards colt seems well nigh unbeatable within the division and so many persons believe he can carry his speed through ten furlongs that the son of Jamestown and La France, by Sir Gallahad ILT., rates stanchly over Chal-ledon, Technician and the others to be victorious in Americas most popular race at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Track conditions may be the factor to prevent Johnstown from staying the Derby route.. The course at Churchill Downs is not conducive to high speed, being even slower than Jamaica, where fast races are the exception rather than the rule although many good horses compete there. Johnstown also is an unknown quantity insofar as mud is concerned, whereas some of his opponents, particularly Challedon, have excellent reputations for negotiating the soft stuff. But although his sire, Jamestown, wasnt a good mudder, Johnstown is from a mare which already has produced an outstanding soft track runner in Jacola, and many observers will tell you the dams influence on a foal counts for much more than that of his sire. But whether Johnstown can mud it or not, trainer James Fitzsimmons desires a fast track to saddle his third Derby winner. Seven other three-year-olds were in Johnstowns wake as he crossed the finish line of the Wood Memorial eight lengths to the good, and running easily. Several other Derby hopefuls were among them but it seems foolish for any of them to attempt to stop him at Louisville Saturday. Volitant was second and he is not an eligible to the Downs classic, whereas the third horse, Impound, although entered in the Derby, was a withdrawal some time ago. Of the others, El Chico was the early favorite for the-blue ribbon event, but the unbeaten two-year-old champion has failed to pick up where he left off. His effort in the Wood was far from that of a strong Derby candidate even though he suffered severe interference going into the first turn. He failed to rally and consequently was beaten some fifteen lengths. Shortly after Johnstowns third sensational victory of the season, the first, in the Pau-monok Handicap by six lengths and the second by the same margin in a mile and seventy yards test in which he established a new Jamaica record Technician demonstrated himself to be a worthy favorite of the Louisville Derby colony. Under the di- * Continued on thirty-third page. v HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. rection of the artful Ben Jones, the big son of Insco and Glister has been kept near to racing fitness since scoring his hard-earned triumph in the Flamingo Stakes over Voli-tant and others. In sharpening up for the Derby, Technician was called upon for a six furlongs effort and although he twice suffered slight interference, he was never asked for his best in winning easily in 1:12, comparatively good time at Churchill Downs these days. Herbert M. Woolfs colt is due to get his final seasoning today in the Derby Trial at one mile, thereby following the procedure of last years winner, Lawrin, his stablemate. If it can be termed that, the Derby appears to be a three-cornered affair at this time although there is always the chance of an upset. New York will furnish the favorite in Johnstown even if the remainder of the country doesnt think he deserves that position. Maryland is very sure Challedon is the horse to beat and Kentucky and the Mid-West leans toward Technician. Whatever hopes California may have, because he was second in the Santa Anita Derby, are centered in the Texas-owned Xalapa Clown. The son of Eternal and Loma Linda is considr ered by many to have the best chance of outsprinting Johnstown in the early stages of the Derby even if Jimmy Stout calls on the Woodward colt to get to the front if he can. If any of the other starters are fortunate enough to be successful Saturday, the upset will be as great as that of Donerail back in 1913. * , « ■
