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1 t Here and There on the Turf Johnstown Still to Be Tested Acts Like Great Colt, However Gilded Knight to Face Him Will Have Busy Program ■ — » After Johnstown won the Kentucky Derby Saturday in the easiest fashion any colt has done in the events long history, William Woodward was asked how the son of Jamestown and La France compared with Gallant Fox and Omaha, his two previous victors in the Churchill Downs classic. He replied: "You can never compare horses that way." The chairman of The Jockey Club answered the question as it should have been, and it was just what might have been expected from him. True worth of a horse cannot be judged just from two or three races, although those several efforts might have earned for him a championship. He might have been a standout horse in a standout year or again he was the best of an ordinary lot or even a real top-notcher despite secondary opposition. One thing is certain, however, and that is Johnstowns superiority over the other three-year-olds, but a better opinion will be had at the end of the season. A strong suspicion is entertained, even though Johnstown has only completed about a third of his contemplated campaign this year, that he is a xeal good colt and not improbably he may be termed a great horse before his racing career ends, and he is retired to the stud. What he will be able to do with the good older horses later in the season should determine to a large degree the extent of his ability, although the Woodward star may get through the campaign without being thoroughly tested. As Johnstown has been nominated for an event like the Massachusetts Handicap it is apparent Woodward is willing to take his chances with the handicapper and with older horses. Johnstown will be getting no concessions, as we see it now, more aptly he will be making them. Little can be added to what already has been said and written about Johnstowns Derby effort. He was the only horse in the race even if some of the others had excuses that might have meant something in a close contest. Johnstown won by eight lengths and not inconceivably could have scored by eight more, which would have enabled him to equal Twenty Grands track record, established in a drive. A free running colt, the son of Jamestown had plenty of speed to give all the way. When paced by El Chico, he ran the opening quarter in :23%, the next in :24, as he went around the lower turn. Coasting down the back stretch, Johnstown required :25% for that quarter and :25/£ in negotiating the upper turn, where Challedon, Heather Broom and Viscounty began their runs. Given his head for a moment but eased toward the end, he came through the stretch in :25%, a mark that could have easily been bettered. Johnstown moves on to Pimlico, where lie v/jJl be the biggest sort of favorite for the Preakness Saturday. His most dangerous opponent, unless improvement is forthcom- Cojilinucd on twenty-ninth page. j , HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. ing from Challedon, should be the Wheatley Stables Gilded Knight, winner of the Chesapeake Stakes and, like the Derby victor, trained by James Fitzsimmons. Between the two of them, the public will have much difficulty selecting something else in that classic on which to wager. Both Gallant Fox and Omaha also won the Preak-ness and the Belmont Stakes as well, so The Jockey Club chairman apears to possess an excellent chance of capturing Americas "triple crown" for the third time. The only other horses besides Gallant Fox and Omaha to accomplish this achievement were Sir Barton and War Admiral. With the possible exception of the Santa Anita Derby winner, Ciencia, as well as Gilded Knight, Johnstowns probable Preakness foes all have tasted his dust this year. After the Preakness the Belmont is Johnstowns next principal objective, although he may be called upon to run in the the Withers as well. The latter test of a mile is scheduled for May 27, a week before the mile and one-half Belmont. Engagements in June at Aqueduct and Delaware Park such ag the Dwyer Stakes and Kent Handicap, then in July the Massachusetts at Suffolk Downs, the Classic at Arlington Park and the Butler Memorial at Empire City. August brings engagements in the Travers, Kenner and, perhaps, the Saratoga Cup. Other races in the offing are the Nar-ragansett Special, Lawrence Realization, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Marylands several autumn attractions. Much can happen between now and then, but Johnstown will be a hard colt to stop, even if he steps out of the three-year-old division.
