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Ferd Ferd Easily Easily Best Best in in Swift Swift Stakes; Stakes; Middleground Middleground Begins Begins Journey Journey East East Preakness Is Next For Derby Winner Your Host Also Shipped to Belmont and May Likewise Go in Pimlico Stake May 20 By DON FAIR CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 8.— With the first end of the precious "Triple Crown" already chalked up in his victory column, .King Ranchs fine Kentucky Derby winner, Middleground, left this morning for New York. The talk along the shedrow is that Middleground certainly appeared the best of those who met Saturday in the Downs classic, although some veteran observers pointed out that members of the three-year-old division, this season are apt to beat one another in future stake engagements. With the Preakness scheduled for decision on May 20, trainers of Derby starters are now ready to point their charges for the Pimlico fixture, which should develop into another great sophomore contest. The Derby found Middleground, Hill Prince, and Mr. Trouble battling it out right down to the wire and should the trio meet again there will be many turfmen stringing along with the beaten pair. Both Hill Prince and Mr. Trouble turned in commendable performances and this in no way takes anything from Middlegrounds triumph. Along with Middleground and On the Mark, the California invader, William . Goetz* Your Host, also took off for Belmont Park. Trainer Harry Daniels stated yesterday that Your Host probably will be under silks in the Preakness. Daniels is of the opinion that Your Hosts Derby race was a good one, inasmuch as the colt was forced to run from the start and do his best to repulse the early challenges of Black George and Mr. Trouble. Longdens Comment Your Host held on rather well until inside the stretch, then gave way suddenly after his display of speed in the earlier furlongs. Black Georges sharp speed from the start, coupled with Mr. Troubles charge, proved too much for the Calif ornian. "Instead of coasting along in the early running, as Johnny Longden and I planned Your Hosts race, our colt had to be run from the .very start. Its rough enough to beat off one horse but when they keep coming at you, one at a time, only a super horse can stand up under it," said Daniels. Mr. Trouble ran a big race in the Derby, but he was unable to withstand the belated challenges of Middleground and Hill Prince. The latter colt is undoubtedly a Continued on Page Five I ■ Derby Winner Heading East for Preakness Your Host Also Belmonr-Bound Along With Middleground Continued from Page One "cup horse" and he will run some even "quarters" in forthcoming features. Those "even quarters" are going to be enough to gain victories and, while he is not a plodder, Hill Prince appeared to lack a change of pace or swift rush that might have carried him into a better position when Arcaro sent him up on the inside at the half-mile pole in the Derby. The opening was there but it closed before Hill Prince could take advantage of the break and resulted in the necessity of Arcaro easing him along until the Chenery colt was clear for the stretch run. Tiring horses during the drive forced Hill Prince to pick his spots and he was under strong pressure to catch the speedy Mr. Trouble, let alone overtake Middleground. Attaches of -the C. V. Whitney stable thought Mr. Trouble might have been closer if he hadnt engaged and passed Your Host coming out of the backstretch. Jockey Doug Dodson. said after the race that he had either to go to the front with Mr. Trouble at that point or be shunted back at a loss of ground. Roscoe Goose, whose Derby experiences date back to his winning ride on Donerail in 1913, compared Mr. Troubles race to that of Greentrees Capot, who suffered defeat last year after he matched strides with the speedy Olympia until inside the stretch. "Capot was the horse that forced Olympia to the limit and then the Greentree colt lacked the finish to withstand Ponder. Mr. Trouble may prove just as troublesome as Capot did in the Preakness. Remembering, of course, that Capot captured both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes," emphasized Goose. Present indications are that at least seven Derby starters will be under silks in the Preakness. Handlers of Clifford Mooers Hawley, Thomas Grays Oil Capitol, Brookmeade Stables Sunglow, and Your Host are not too discouraged by the showing of the leading Derby trio and most of these horses are to head for Belmont and then to Pimlico. The Brookmeade duo, Sunglow, fourth in the Derby, and Greek Ship, who was withdrawn due to track conditions, led the eastern trek, departing Sunday. The general consensus around Derby-town is that Middleground, son of Bold Venture, 1936 victor, earned a well-deserved triumph, marking up the second success for Robert Klebergs fabulous King Ranch, the mighty Assault having captured the 1946 renewal of the stakes for the noted Texan. Trainer Max Hirsch also came in for his share of plaudits around the Downs, for it was unanimously agreed that Middleground was a mighty fit racer Saturday afternoon. Apprentice jockey Bill Boland became the second youngster to score in the Derby, Ira Hanford having turned the trick on Bold Venture. Young Boland rade a steady race and he contributed a great share in Middlegrounds quick mile and a quarter journey, accomplished in 2:01%, just one-fifth of a second off Whirlaways track and Derby record.
