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r ■ i Here and There on the Turf Johnstown Likes Downs Went Faster Than Desired | Final Quarter Impressive T. M. Dorsett Needs Time » ■ Johnstown wanted to find out Wednesday afternoon if the Churchill Downs track suited him, at the same time having a tune-up for his engagement tomorrow in the Kentucky Derby. Much has been written and said about the possibility that William Wood-Avards latest prospect for the three-year-old championship might find the Louisville course so different from those in New York to which he is accustomed that his Derby chances would be reduced, but he disproved the theory in speeding .a mile easily, well out from the rail, in 1:38%. This was just one-fifth slower than the time for the Derby Trial on the previous afternoon when Viscounty nosed out Technician and they were being sent right along after negotiating only one turn. Johnstown went around two and was never out from under restraint from Jimmy Stout, his regular jockey. The Derby favorite might have shown more speed than had been intended by trainer James Fitzsinjmons because in his past experience with the Churchill Downs classic he always has sent a fit horse there from New York never asking Gallant Fox, Omaha, Granville or Fighting Fox for anything brilliant in the way of speed in their preliminary try-out over the course. Fitz-simmons was not on hand for Johnstowns workout but was ably represented by Tom Driscoll, one of his principal lieutenants and a good horseman in his own right and the latter had the signal out for Stout to retard the colts speed in the stretch but the rider may have had difficulty in seeing the flag because a score of photographers and many other persons were on the track taking in the trial. Johnstown went easily all the way, however, and that should count for something. As to the question of Johnstowns, ability to carry his speed the Derby distance of a mile and one-quarter, it may be significant that he required only :24% to cover the final quarter of his workout after having gone the first two furlongs in :24%, the second in :24% and the third in :25, that being around the .turn. The workout furthermore was an indication that the Woodward colt could be rated in a trial, but whether that can be done in a long race when he is equipped with blinkers and sees a horse in front of him may be something else again. If Stout can hold Johnstown to 1:38% for the first mile of the Derby and at the end of it the colt is going as easily as he was Wednesday, no matter where he is in the race, he will be there or thereabouts at the finish. A final quarter in :25 wOuld have the son of Jamestown at the end in 2:03% and that time should win tomorrow. Persons hoping for Johnstowns defeat in that a horse of their fancy may be returned victorious may see in his fast workout the chance for him to have thrown away some of his speed, remembering that Fitzsimmons- Continued on eleventh page. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. trained Derby candidates have been well conditioned before leaving New York and always right after they have run in the Wood Memorial Stakes. To call upon a colt to race on one Saturday, ship on Monday, arriving Tuesday, working Wednesday or Thursday in fast time and then to be in tiptop fettle for what easily may prove the greatest task of his career on the next Saturday is quite a program and if Johnstown gets by it safely his achievements yill deserve even greater merit. As far as the public is concerned, it will take his trial at its face value and be more confident in predicting his Derby success. Not known to Derby visitors assembled at Churchill Downs Wednesday when Johnstown worked so brilliantly was the illness of T. M. Dorsett, which with his head drooping was in his stall not caring whether the race was run or not. The son of Cohort and Michigan Girl has had more than his share of bad -luck but it may be just as well if he cannot start tomorrow. He was ill at New Orleans a month ago just long enough to interrupt his training schedule and although he won at the first asking, the Joe W. Brown colt was not at himself. He- appeared to be feeling better in his Wood Memorial engagement, and trainer J. B. Theall had hopes Dor-sett was coming around to himself again, but if he wasnt quite right it is much better for him to side-step a hard race like the Derby. He can come back later as Stagehand did last season.
