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Here and There on the Turf Pitzsimmons on Fence One of His Stars to Lose Old Story to Woodward But Not to Mrs. Phipps James Fitzsimmons is on the spot but looking at his sunny countenance you wouldnt think so. The veteran trainer is preparing two good colts for Saturdays running of the Preakness, both unbeaten this season. Mud or dry, one or the other confidently may be expected to win and quite possibly they may finish the 0,000 event in first and second places even though some doubt exists as to Johnstowns ability to run in the mud. Although he is not in a position to commit himself, Fitzsimmons probably would like to see one or the other of his two good colts continue through the Preakness unbeaten. It is only natural that he should have a preference and it has nothing to do with his opinion that Johnstown appears a better colt than Gilded Knight. He realized quite properly that the latter has yet to demonstrate the limit of his ability although at the same time he hasnt seen Johnstown extended this year either. The anxiety to see Johnstown capture the Preakness can be traced to the fact that he already has won the Kentucky Derby and a victory in the Maryland Jockey Club attraction would give William Woodwards colt the second leg on Americas triple crown. At the same time, Fitzsimmons should have a strong feeling for Gilded Knight even if it meant the undoing, temporarily at least, of Johnstown. Woodward already has won the triple crown of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes with Gallant Fox and Omaha, whereas Mrs. H. C. Phipps, who maintains the Wheatley Stable of which Gilded Knight is the current star, never has come close to winning any of these great three-year-old events. Happily, both of these patrons are among the finest people in racing, truly worthy to be in the sport, and each would be the first to congratulate the other and then their trainer whether Johnstown is the Preakness winner or Gilded Knight. As both colts officially will be saddled by Fitzsimmons in the Preakness, they will be coulpled in the wagering and the odds on • the entry will be veiy short, approaching the lowest in the long history of the event. This overwhelming favoritism will prevail despite the element of doubt created by the showers at Pimlico Tuesday afternoon and continued unsettled weather. Johnstown may or may not be a good soft track horse but if he only casually cares for mud the margin of superiority he appears to possess over the others in the three-year-old division may be sufficient to carry him to victory. It will be recalled that several of Seabiscuits defeats came about when the going was "off," but if he had not been compelled to give weight the 1938 handicap champion probably would have won those events just the same. Johnstown is not being asked to make allowances in the Preakness. Supposing that Johnstown was out of the Preakness, Gilded Knight probably would be the favorite in his own right, even though Continued on thirty-fifth page E l _ CI w S Pe g the his gf race fic ta: sU na ail air ] ise Kr "k PO otl fai Po: De Pr ffal cai £° foes ! "e" see te? HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. Challedon likewise would have the Woodward flash out of the way as well. Gilded Knight defeated Challedon in the Chesapeake Stakes and he has had every right to improve just as William Branns colt did in Derby. The Wheatley colt demonstrated fitness for the Preaknessby the handy fashion in which he captured the Survivor Stakes through the slop prevailing for the at Pimlico Tuesday. Ruperto Donoso never had to call on the son of Sir Galla-hal HI. and Gold Brick, by Broomstick, confidently rating him at the heels of Sea Captain to the stretch and letting him out only slightly even when Sun Lover menaced abruptly. Although giving weight, the well-named Gilded Knight came away with that of superiority that marks a good horse. Like the Derby, the Preakness field promises to be a small one. Johnstown and Gilded Knight will be coupled and opposing the two likely will be Challedon, Volitant and Impound. Ciencia possibly may be the only other eligible which will dare oppose the favorites, although Challenge may go in support of Johnstown if the track is muddy. Despite the apparent one-sidedness of the probable field, a capacity crowd should gather at Pimlico if the weather is kind because so many persons like to see a champion m action, whether clashing with easy or tough ones. But despite the expectancy in the outcome of the Preakness, tho " position of trainer Fitzsimmons is rather unique and adds an interesting touch to Saturdays race. Which colt would he rather in the winners enclosure Saturday afternoon—Johnstown or Gilded Knight?
