Happy Knight Heads 22 Named for Epsom Derby: Historic English Classic Will be Run This Coming Wednesday, Daily Racing Form, 1946-06-04

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Happy Knight Heads 22 Named for Epsom Derby Historic English Classic Will Be Run This Coming Wednesday LONDON, England, June 3.— Twenty-two thoroughbreds, led by the stretch-running Happy Knight, were named Saturday for Britains top turf show, the historic Epsom Derby, which will be run over the mile and a half course at Epsom Downs next Wednesday. The first post-war renewal of Englands famed classic returns to Epsom Downs after a six-year war-time lapse, during which the substitute events were run at Newmarket. Form charts probably will be thrown out of the window for the Derby. This springs races, comprising the heaviest schedule since before the war, all have been run on hard tracks. But recent rainfalls, the most in many months, have left Epsom Downs extra soft and there is little available information on soft track runners. Sir William Cookes Happy Knight was installed as a 4 to 1 favorite in prices released today because of his first showing of the season when he won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, as Aga Khans Khaled finished second. Khaled, highly regarded Hyperion colt, previously had been a strong Derby favorite but was quoted at 6 to 1 today along with Lord Derbys Gulf Stream. Both colts had been undefeated until the 2,000 Guineas, in which Gulf Stream finished sixth. One of the few colts to win this season over the mile and a half Derby distance is Lord Astors Fast and Fair, who recently outdistanced Starway and the favored Edward Tudor by three lengths at Lingfield, rated the best pre-Derby test for three-year-olds. Fast and Fair, presently quoted at 9 to 1, although Sir William Cooke, owner of Happy Knight, claims that the Astor colt "is the one who will make my horse run." Edward Tudor is listed at 12 to 1, while Starway is a 40 to 1 choice. The "dark horse" label already has been stamped on Lord Astors Aldis Lamp, another Hyperion colt. The Lamp is quoted at 25 to 1 as a result of his recent letdown. As a result of his outstanding two-year-old record the colt was heavily backed for the Derby throughout the winter. But he cooled off all of his ardent admirers when he failed to finish among the first six in the Guineas. Trainer Jack Lawson blamed his horses poor showing on the rock hard condition of the track, confidently predicting that Aldis Lamp would reverse his form as a result of the heavy underfooting. Other entries include J. S. Barringtons Bridle Path, H. G. Blagraves Master Vote, Sir Richard Brookes Peterborough, Sir Hervey Bruces Friar Tuck, F. W. Dennis Hisponiola, Miss Pat Bullocks Neapolitan, Lord Durhams White Jacket, J. E. Fergusons Airborne, Mrs. Arthur James Sim-stroke, Tom Lilleys Peter Pan and Radiotherapy, Mrs. F. Nagels Massif, Duke of Norfolks Royal Commission, W. J. Rimells Massicle and P. Roses Qui Va La.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1940s/drf1946060401/drf1946060401_22_1
Local Identifier: drf1946060401_22_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800