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. , . 1 3 -* f . . .mmmm ■ ■ ■ . ......... i .... Here and There on the Turf Johnstowns Defeat Not Likely Would Prove a Calamity Victory Step to Championship Must Guard Against Staleness . . . * ■ ■ 4 Looking for a person who doesnt think Johnstown can win the Preakness this afternoon is like searchfng for the proverbial needle in a haystack. If by some remote chance his undoing is brought about in Pim-licos great spring three-year-old feature it will be something of a national calamity. But with his triumph generally considered a . foregone conclusion, the question to be frequently heard this afternoon will be — which was second? Even though Johnstown is expected to run off from his five rivals, the race is still the Preaknesn and consequently will be attended by many thousands of persons, perhaps a gathering equalling the record turnout last fall for the Seabiscuit-War Admiral match. The historical and traditional aspects of the Preakness hold wide appeal and even with ordinary horses in the field would attract a good crowd. This afternoon, however, the thousands journeying to the Maryland Jockey Club course from near and far are going there to see a champion defend his title. Perhaps Johnstown isnt quite the champion as yet and we should say he will remove all doubt as to his qualifications to reign by defeating Gilded Knight and Ciencia in the Preakness, as well as the others, which already have had his dust thrown in their faces. Gilded Knight, like William Woodwards speedster, is unbeaten so far as a three-year-old and Ciencia hasnt raced since scoring her deci-" sive victory in the Santa Anita Derby. But with or without comparison of the records, the public can see only Johnstown, although upsets do happen. It is doubtful, however, if anyone is going to Pimlico with the expectation that an upset will occur. The owner of Johnstown and trainer James Fitzsimmons both are confident the colt will do the expected in the Preakness, but they are wise enough to know it is a poor policy to figure on a victory until the race has been run. In their own experience they can recall Gallant Fox in the Travers, in which he was beaten by the 100 to 1 Jim Dandy. Their confidence today is based on the fact that Johnstown, appears to be in the same keen form that marked his efforts in the Kentucky Derby, Wood Memorial, Pau-monok and the overnight event in which he set a new Jamaica record for the mile and seventy yards. Yet, looking to the future, Woodward and Fitzsimmons are fearful that if the son of Jamestown and La France suffers a defeat one cause will be staleness, the other principal reason for losing, unless a better horse comes along, being an injury, Fitzsimmons naturally will watch Johnstown closely to guard against training off and in doing so he will have to call on his vast store of knowledge and experience to train the horse in just the right way. He cant do too much with the Derby winner and he cant do too little. Johnstown is still racing off his spring prep and fortu-s nately for Fitzsimmons perhaps he has yet to be put to a stern test. As long as he can win his races easily Johnstown doesnt stand so much chance of "burning out" in a hurry, as would be the case if he had one hard ef-s fort after another. That he has won his engagements so far in very easy fashion should be a potent factor in enabling the Woodward star to last longer, not only in keeping him fresh, but in minimizing the chances of being hurt. Horses that run hard are more apt to break down that those which dont. Johnstowns program so far has been laid out for him some time ago. With the Preakness out of the way, Woodward and his trainer will get their heads together to se- the colts next engagement. He is to be Slect pointed for the Belmont Stakes, but the Withers comes a week before that important mile and one-half test and the Johnstown o folks may not think it will be a good idea g to pit him against horses that are little more than sprinters when he himself has not been 2. particularly aimed for such a race. If .27 !7 Johnstown is to run in the Withers he will .21 !1 have to make the engagement in his stride .22 !2 , , and it will have to serve as a preparatory .17 .7 . . test for the Belmont. He will not be sharp-.4 .14 ened up for the Withers with the longer race .17 .7 coming so soon afterwards.
