view raw text
BBB . * H Recall Bed wells One-Two in Derby Sir Barton and Billy Kelly Saddled by Eastern Trainer Also Sent Out Former for Victories in Preakness And Belmont in 1919 By PALMER HEAGERTY BALTIMORE, Md., May 5.— When the field parades postward tomorrow afternoon for the 76th running of the famed Kentucky Derby, millions of race-minded fans throughout the world will feel that inevitable "tingle" run up and down their spine, but Harry Guy Bedwell will experience an entirely different sensation. The event will bring back fond memories of years gone by, especially the season of 1919 when he saddled Commander J. K. L. Ross* Sir Barton and Billy Kelly to finish one-two in the Run for the Roses. That year Bedwell became the first trainer in American history to saddle the winner of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont to complete the Triple Crown sweep, for Sir Barton also was victorious in the Pimlico and Belmont Park classics. Although a maiden prior to his Derby victory, Sir Barton was solidly backed by Commander Ross, consensus being that the ► Z * owner wagered 00,000 on the chances of his colt and collected .60 to . Bedwell had another royal chance of earning Derby honors in 1923 when he trained the proficient three-year-old Senator Norris. The colt became the. winter book favorite for that seasons Derby when he won Pimlicos Walden Stakes in track-record time. The Walden then was at one mile, and Senator Norris turned the distance in 1:39%. Misfortune struck the stable about four weeks before the Derby when Senator Norris ran a nail in his foot and was shelved, passing up the race. Many Years Resident in Maryland Not only is Bedwell the lone Marylander to saddle a Derby winner, but he is the only one from the Free State to have led the list of Americas trainers in respect to races won. He gained the distinction in 1909, and then led his rivals from 1912 to 1917, inclusive. Another distinction credited to the veteran is that of training the first American horse to race six furlongs in better than 1:11. For many years a native of the state, Bedwell retains his Yarrow Brae Farm at Savage, Md., and is active in the breeding H. GUY BEDWELL branch of the sport, racing almost exclusively homebreds. Despite numerous disappointments, the young stallion. Sun Egret, is held in high esteem by Bedwell. Aside from the breeding stock at Yarrow Brae, Bedwell has five yearlings and three foals. One of the youngsters is from the 21-year-old mare, Happy Knot, with whom Bedwell earned numerous purses during her racing days. All has not been "peaches and cream" in recent years with Bedwell. His racing stable was virtually wiped out when the swamp fever epidemic struck New England in 1947. He lost 14 horses, including the handicap star. Prognosis. This horse was insured for 0,000, an amount Bedwell still has not invested due to a rather strange regulation. He must invest the money in ► a single thoroughbred, and cannot purchase a group of horses for that amount. Torchator His Fastest Horse The last promising prospect Bedwell possessed for three-year-old honors was a California-bred son of Lassator and Torch Rose named Torchator. This fellow was sensational in the abbreviated "baby" races on the west coast and was shipped to Maryland to win the 1948 Bowie Kindergarten Stakes. Later that season he was third to Joseph M. Roeblings Blue Peter in a New Jersey event. Torchator went wrong and failed to start during his sophomore season, and probably will never race again. He showed enough during his brief career to be termed by Bedwell "The fastest horse I have ever trained." That is an accolade, when it is remembered that the "Sage of Savage" handled such shifty campaigners as Sir Barton, Billy Kelly and Senator Norris. Despite the fact that he had a very little racing stock of class last season, the veteran Bedwell managed to send forth 22 winners, and his stable earned 9,700. Again this season the stable is not pretentious, but it is safe to predict that the famed white and green silks will garner their share of purses. Another member of the Bedwell family has demonstrated more than average ability in the thoroughbred racing field, trainer Lester "Buster" Bedwell. After enjoying marked success in New England for many seasons, the younger Bedwell will campaign this year on the Delaware and New Jersey circuit. While his thoroughbred holdings at present are modest, he expects to have a sizable string in a few months.
