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Horsemen Study Fourteen Contestants in Derby Middleground and Mr. Trouble Judged Best Looking of Group By TEDDY COX CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville. Ky., May 6.— Virtually every astute judge of conformation and general condition that could battle his way through the paddock gates was on hand as the field was saddled for the Kentucky Derby. They studied every horse in the field minutely and as the jockey mounted the general opinion was that Mr. Trouble and Middleground were the best looking thoroughbreds in the field, with Your Host being a close third. That general appearance on Derby Day often takes on more importance than past performances was once again demonstrated, for Middleground and Mr. Trouble showed brilliant performances. Those who were "black balled" by the great number of horsemen we interviewed were not any more impressive on the racetrack. Heres just about a general idea of what horsemen were saying in the paddock: MIDDLEGROUND— Best looking horse in race on general appearance. Full of bloom and apparently finely conditioned. Not in the least nervous. Gives appearance of being a top-flight sprinter, blocky and muscular, rather than long and lean. ON THE MARK— Big, tall rangy colt, but not of the type most would like to have in the Derby. MR. TROUBLE— Brilliantly conditioned and with a coat that shines like silk. Not in the least nervous and appearing all over a Derby horse. DOOLY— Definitely not a Derby horse. SUNGLOW— Very flashy type who could be either a sprinter or a distance racer. Finely conditioned. YOUR HOST— Opinions varied greatly. Most were of the belief that Harry Daniels had him in grand condition, but there were others who he did not impress as being a mile and one-quarter type. He was not in the least nervous and acted as if this were just another race. TRUMPET KING — Very flashy and a grand looker. HELL PRINCE— Big, tall and muscular, but slightly on the washy side. He broke out into a sweat as he entered the paddock but cooled off somewhat before entering the track. OIL CAPITOL— Lean and small. Easily the most unimpressive looking horse in the Derby. It seemed that he was many pounds below the weight at the time when he won the Flamingo. HALLIEBOY — No comment. STRANDED— Was not considered to be a Derby horse and attracted little attention. BLACK GEORGE— Hardly the type with suspicious looking ankles. HAWLEY— Splendid type but, who because of his poor efforts, lacked an audience.
