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FREE lANCE — Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons hope for his fourth success in the Kentucky Derby. Free Lances Derby Nomination Recalls Starter of Same Name in 1912 Renewal ! Ran Fourth in Thirty-Eighth* ► Running, Annexed by Worth; Victim of Untimely Death LEXINGTON, Ky., March 31. — James Fitzsimmons. squire of Sheepshead Bay, sage of Aqueduct, steward, trainer, and "Sunny Jim," probably was wondering if racing would ever come back to New York State when Free Lance was flaunting the Bashford Manor Farm silks of the late George J. Long and Peter Coyne, now retired from the thoroughbred game, was tightening the girth on the son of Alvescot and Merry Heart. Fitzsimmons has a Free Lance in his Aqueduct stable with which he has designs on the Kentucky Derby. Should this Free Lance, a son of Sir Gallahad in.— Nile Maiden, by Friar Rock, be successful at Churchill Downs, come Saturday, May 6, it will be the fourth time Fitzsimmons will receive credit for saddling a Derby winner, his other points being gained through victory of Gallant Fox and the latters son, Omaha, as well as Johnstown. Getting back to the first Free Lance, j bred by George Long at his Jefferson Coun- | ty, Bashford Manor nursery, and the victim of an untimely death when Ralph, an older | stallion, made a fatal assault upon him when he, through negligence on the part | I of caretakers, gained entrance to Free ■ Lances paddock. It was on May 5, 1911, that • I ► the son of Alvescot made his debut at the historic Kentucky Association track at Lexington. He finished third to Johnson N. Camdens Praetorian and Dilator and under the guidance of Eddie Martin was beaten only one and one-half lengths at the end of four and one-half furlongs. Won First Race at Latonia Free Lances next essay was the Breeders Futurity, which went to Maj. Thomas McDowells The Manager, with Bachelor Girl the runner-up and Wheelwright, belonging to Johnson N. Camden and later to win a Camden Handicap, third. Free Lance finished ninth. The Long two-year-old won at his next asking, which was at Churchill Downs, but he was disqualified for foul and did not garner a purse until June 30 at Latonia. He was an easy winner and at Churchill Downs on October 6 made it two victories in a row. Six days later he finished second and, moving over to Latonia, won two straight races. Free Lance was through for 1911 racing and the Kentucky Derby was selected for his three-year-old debut. Over a heavy track Worth was. the winner, Duval second and Flamma third. Free Lance finished fourth. Several days later he finished fourth in an overnight handicap to John Furlong, The Manager and Milton B. and then the racing picture was transferred to Latonia. Opposing older performers at Latonia, Free Lance triumphed over Joe Morris, Sand Hill, High Private and others. He was victorious in his next start and that brought him up to the Latonia Derby. This was his greatest victory, as he won pulling up by six lengths. The Manager, who, due to track conditions, was withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby, was the runner-up and Worth third. Sprite, who had been matched with Worth the previous year, was the trailer. On June 22 and at Latonia Free Lance ran his last race. It was merely a canter for the son of Alvescot, Sprite being j second and Presumption third. Free Lance was returned to Bashford . Manor Farm for a rest before resuming his fall campaign and Ralph probably robbed I the American turf of a super marathon runner.
