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JUDGES STAND by charles hatton LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 1.— One really must be a little bit impressed by the fact that Virginia studs have produced the winners of both the Wood and Chesapeake, in Phalanx and Bullet Proof. Of course, thoroughbred breeding has been going on for generations in the Old Dominion, but it is not usual for the state to win either of these Derby Previews, to say nothing of both in the same season. We think that the latest Derby winner to come from there was Ral Parrs Paul Jones, who was bred at Woods Garths place. Everyone must know all about Phalanxs breeding and background by now. Bullet Proof is himself an engaging little horse, with ancestors and a past that suggests that he may have a future. He was bred by Liz Whitney at Llangollen and is by the hitherto obscure Stepenfetchit, out of the hard-hitting mare. Shatterproof. Trainer Henry Clark tells us that all the mares foals seem to have some speed. If you have forgotten, Stepenfetchit is a home-bred son of The Porter, who spent a good deal of his time chasing Burgoo King, to whom he finished third in the 1932 Derby, and the stayer. Gusto, to whom he was second in the Classic. He has not enjoyed much chance to this point in his stud career. AAA Derby horses are expected to be young giants, but Bullet Proof isnt quite 15 hands. Once at a New Jersey track last summer he managed to scoot beneath the bar of his stall door and they found him cavorting about the parking lot. Bullet Proof compensates for his lack of sheer bulk by showing an admirable degree of speed and courage. He, incidentally, beat another Virginian when he led the Pilate gelding, Royal Governor, to the end of the Chesapeake. As you might guess, there is a growing demand for seasons to Pilate, and this calls for infinite Derby Previews Encourage Va. Breeders Bullet Proof Is Stepenfetchit s Best Phalanx Also in Rich Chicago Features Star Reward Point for Class in Dam tact on the part of "Judge" Church, who is in the somewhat anxious position of handling the Friar Rock horses book. Pilate is the sort of stallion that seems to get a larger percentage of foals from 25 mares than from 10, but he will be limited to 22 this season, as we recall, because of his age. AAA Abe Hewitt thinks that Phalanx action has improved considerably since he came to the races, particularly when he is settled into full racing stride. The Derby choices breeder has assumed a Missourians attitude toward the colts ability, but it is clear that he thinks the Wood winner has potentialities. In fact, he has been stall walking a bit, whereas the colt has not. Hewitt hopes that in some future season Phalanx will be bred to his stablemate, First Flight, who is as clever as she is long-winded. The Wood winner is a fair sized horse this spring. He is not at all prepossessing, but he has clean running gear and the straight hind leg Pilate puts on most of his progeny. After all, those are the important things. We find that some of the Eastern observers are convinced that if Phalanx could beat the Wood field at a mile and a sixteenth, he can make a sweep of the longer "Triple Crown" races. It is going to be interesting to see If he can bring off the three 00,000 events. He also is a candidate for the American Derby and Classic, by the way. AAA Derby horses do not "train themselves" quite, but they often determine when they shall work and race. You may recall that a few days ago trainer Veitch observed that he had not planned to train Phalanx here, but the colt developed such an appetite that this became necessary to keep him fit. Several days before the Blue Grass Stakes, the veteran Ben Jones said to us that he "didnt suppose Faultless would run for both that affair and the Derby Trial." The Missourian did not seem entirelv satisfied with Faultless race at Lexington, however, and ran him back in the Trial. This one was awfully close, but the son of Bull Lea and Unerring won them both, and in The Trial his rider did not draw his stick. Charley Fisher must have been indeed pleased with Star Rewards race in The Trial. His Spy Song was second in this affair and the Derby as well last spring, you know. Star Reward is by Reaping Reward out of Far Star, who won an Arlington Futurity and was second to Spy Songs dam, Mata Hari, in the Arlington Lassie. We might add that Star Reward is less a problem child than is Spy Song, whose whimsies cost him several races he seemed to have won. AAA Turfiana: Bill Corum has suggested the name "Twice Armed" for the Widener winners new brother at Calumet . . . Tom Piatt was up from Lexington to see The Trial and will be present for the Derby. He tells us that Alquest has sired a set of twins at Brookdale this spring. They are fillies and he may put his young grandsons in the turf sport with them . . . Carolyn A. is not in the Coaching Club, but she is in the Acorn, Withers and Peter Pan . . . Ben Whitaker bred this daughter of Questionnaire and Albania . . . Stepfather was closing tardily again in the trial, after Westrope had warmed him up . . . Jack Campbell now rates Gallorette only a pound superior to Bridal Flower . . . And Stymie only two pounds superior to his French stablemate, Basileus.
