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REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan NEW YORK. N. Y., May 9. — Olympia gave all he had for one mile, but, as many suspected, he lacked the stamina to carry his speed over one and one-quarter miles and, "as a result, became the eleventh odds-on choice down through the years to meet defeat in the Kentucky Derby. ** In a television interview last Friday night, Frank Kearns. the noted trainer, stamped the Derby field as a mediocre group, but whether that is so or not does not detract from the feat of Ben Jones in bringing Ponder, an outsider, to the peak of condition for the one and one-quarter miles on the day it counted most. After Ponder was in the winners circle, Jones was quick to give credit to Steve Brooks, the stable jockey, for a superb, well-judged ride. But while the Diamond Jubilee running must be regarded as a tribute to Col. Matt Winn, to our way of thinking, it was also the crowning achievement in the long and fine career of one of the greatest trainers in the annals of the American turf. This was certainly one running in which the operators of the "winter books" must have made up considerable of the losses which they claim has been their lot in recent renewals. We believe, if the truth was known, there was not one person in a hundred who gave a serious thought to Ponder, and the pay-off of 16 to 1 on the Calumet horse is further proof of that belief. AAA Many horses who ran in the Derby sired winners in later renewals, and an outstanding example is Falsetto, who ran second to Lord Murphy in 1879. Falsetto sired Chant, winner in 1894; His Eminence, 1901, and Sir Huon, 1906, but it remains that when Ponder won on the week-end, he became the sixth winner by a former winner — his sire being Pensive, who won in 1944. In #* years to come, the combination of Pensive and Ponder will make one of the most romantic stories in Kentucky Derby lore. It will be recalled that, at the very last minute, Ben Jones decided to ship Pensive from Maryland to Kentucky, and came within a few minutes of missing the train. When, in the winners circle at Jamaica after Coaltown won the Gallant Fox Handicap, Jimmy Jones stated he did not think Calumet would Derby Crowning Achievement of Ben Jones Can Ponder Repeat in Preakness Stakes? Sun Again, Pensive in Stallion Limelight Champion French Chaser in Aqueduct Jumps have a Derby starter and, from that day to the very minute that the Derby field was going to the post, Ben Jones kept insisting that he did not think that Ponder had much of a chance to win the race. Now, we wonder, can Ponder — like his sire — go on to win the Preakness? Or, are we to see one of those years when three different horses will win the "Triple Crown" events? Dont forget that, while Blue Peter will probably still be on the sidelines, Mr. Busher will likely be back in training for the one and one-half miles Belmont Stakes. AAA Calumet Farm had atrocious luck with their two-year-olds last year, as few of them got to the post. Ponder started only four times in 1948, but did not win a race. In the same year, the filly, Wistful, started on but two occasions, to win one. This year, however, this Sun Again filly has started eight times to win four, and earned 0,400. Last Friday, she won the 5,000 Kentucky Oaks and now gives promise of being a decided factor in the bids for three-year-old filly honors this season. In recent years, so much has been written about Calumets Bull Lea and Whirlaway that little has been heard of the other stallions standing at the world-famous Kentucky nursery. Now Wistful centers attention on Sun Again, and Ponder does the same for Pensive, who is one of the few sons of Hyperion now standing in this country. Sun Again has not the impressive pedigree that Pensive boasts, but he has every right to be a successful stallion, as he was one of the best race horses of his years. During his career he set track records at Belmont Park, and also sired Irish Sun, who set a track record at Keeneland. Both Sun Again and Pensive are quoted at a fee of 00, while Bull Lea is now at ,000, and Whirlaway, another stablemate, at ,500. AAA The Preakness, to be run on Saturday, is at a mile and three -sixteenths, but Olympia will have a chance to come back into his own on the following week-end when the 5,000 Withers will be run at Belmont Park. This time-honored event, which was inaugurated one year before the Kentucky Derby, is at one mile, and while they beat the Hooper colt, we still doubt if there is a three-year-old around capable of taking his measure at one mile. Ponder, Capot, Palestinian, Old Rock-port, Halt and Model Cadet are all eligible for this event which, last year, resulted in one of the biggest surprises of the season when Vulcans Forge defeated Coaltown and Better Self. Only two horses in history have been able to win the three events of the "Triple Crown" and also the Withers, and they were Sir Barton, in 1929, and Count Fleet, in 1943. It is something of a stunt for a horse to win the Derby and Preakness, then go back to the one mile of the Withers, and then on to the one and one-half miles of the Belmont Stakes. On the list of 74 who are eligible for the Withers, there are quite a few who stayed in the New York area at Derby time, but will come out to meet those who started in the Derby and the Preakness. AAA If present plans carry, Aqueduct fans will see Englands best jumper in action at the meeting which opens on June 13. Clive Graham, noted English turf scribe, writes us: "Dear Nelson: An item of news that I know will interest you "is the plans to send the five-year-old French-bred Le Jacobin, who has been racing in England for two seasons, to the Aqueduct meeting. He is just about the best two and a half-mile steeplechaser in England, winner of five of his last six starts. He has also won his last two races on the flat, over one and a half miles, and is also a winner of three hurdle races. He is owned by P. G. Thompson, and trained by John Goldsmith, who got the British D. S. O., and the French Croix de Guerre for his services as a parachuter. Our good friend, Jim Ryan, the American trainer, is helping to obtain permission for the horse to race at Aqueduct. Le Jacobin is an amazing horse, for he has acquired the trick of opening the top half of his stable door during the night, then leaning out and turning on the electric light switch with his teeth. Believe me, you are going to see a real good jumper. All the best — Clive Graham."
