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mmmmmmmmmmmmm REFLECTIONS *y NfLS0N dunstan LEXINGTON, Ky., May 4.— Here in the heart of the Blue Grass the Derby outcome was naturally the main topic of get-togethers throughout the countryside. Kentuckians went all out in their admiration for Dark Star and the brilliant ride of Henry Moreno. The square -jawed I jockey, who, though winning his first Derby, gave evidence of his riding skill with Two Lea in the Hollywood Gold Cup of 1952. When the bugle summoned the field, Moreno ~*id he "got that feeling" and shortly after that the Guggenheim three -year-old demonstrated that from the very start he had the feel of the track and was the one they would all have to catch. When they came into the stretch for that searching run to the wire, Moreno gave a saddle exhibition that could be compared with the story-and-song rides of Isaac Murphy, Earl Sande, Eddie Arcaro and others in former renewals. It developed into a two-horse race and while Native Dancer was bumped at the first turn not one iota of credit can be taken from the Royal Gem II. colt and his jockey. Eddie Hayward, trainer of Dark Star, would not have lyeen human had he not expressed his satisfaction and it Bas typical of him that he gave all the credit to the colt and his jockey. But beyond that he had all the calm of Max Hirsch when Assault and Middleground scored in their respective renewals. How can any man be so outwardly placid after winning a Derby always amazes this writer. AAA From the spectators viewpoint the seventy-ninth running of the Derby will be handed down to posterity as one of the most thrill-packed renewals since the inaugural in 1875. While it developed into a two-horse race it lost none of its punch as a result. When it came to the stretch turn, Dark Star was about a length and a half in Preakness Interest Mounts Due to Derby Can Dark Star Repeat at Baltimore? Native Dancer Proved Staying Powers Royal Gem II. Gains Stud Prestige front and the rest of the field was all but ignored as Native Dancer set sail to overcome the Guggenheim colt. Although the skein of his unbeaten record was broken, the Vanderbilt colt gained many friends as he did in the Futurity last fall, by the effort that carried him within a head of the winner at the Derby finish line. Walter Marty, the man who operates the Derby future book from Mexico, was sitting directly behind us as the race was run. He would have lost a small fortune had Native Dancer been the winner, but, even so, his admiration for the gray hourse was very obvious before and after the race. Native Dancers bloodlines had been "suspect" ever since the Gotham at Jamaica, for it was thought in some quarters that his sprinting ancestry would eventually catch up with him. A few days prior to the Derby running we stated, in this column, "If the Vanderbilt colt is beaten it will not be because of the distance of one and one-quarter miles," nor was it, for, running against the best colts that could be mustered against him, he got in his best licks in the late stages of the race. At no time did he give evidence of other than that he will carry his speed as far as three -year -olds are asked to go. AAA Invigorator ran a good race to finish third, despite the fact that he was five lengths behind Native Dancer. For a brief spell in the stretch it appeared as if he were going to come up to challegne and, although he was in close quarters entering the backstretch, he came on willingly under the guidance of Willie Shoemaker. Royal Bay Gem was naturally the hope of the many Texans present. As customarily he was not away too well and was so sluggish in the early stages that he could not reach the flying leaders when set down for the devastating run that he displays in the closing stanzas of a race. When the leaders are clocked in 2:02 they are going to take a lot of catching, and that was demonstrated once again with the horse that was expected to carry the hopes of Royal Gem II. It was noticeable that Dark Star was the first brown horse to win a Derby renewal since Count Fleet accomplished the feat exactly 10 years ago. Count Fleet is regarded as one of the best horses ever to win the "Run for the Roses," and the speed of Dark Star is reflected in the 2:04 of the Hertz champion in 1943. Back in 1941 Whirl-away was clocked in 2:01% and since then only Middle-ground and Hill Gail ran faster renewals than Dark Star, their time being 2:01%. The stop watches cannot be used as a medium by which to compare horses of different periods, but they did verify that Dark Star was a running horse from the time he went into the lead to the finish line. Dark Star had little left as Native Dancer was forcing him to the last ounce, but his courage and speed in staving off the unbeaten gray speaks volumes for him. AAA Probably no Derby renewal has caused more speculation as to the outcome of the Preakness, which is to be run at Pimlico on May 23. Back in 1939, Johnstown defeated Challedon at Louisville and when the three-year-olds moved over to Baltimore, Challedon reversed the decision of what was probably the worst day in Pimlicos history, as to weather. The rain came in torrents and was made to order for Challedon, who was twice Horse of the Year. While taking no credit from Dark Star, quite a few people left Churchill Downs with the thought that Native Dancer would be returned the winner at a mile and three -sixteenths. Dark star is the only three-year-old in Ameri- Contmued on Page Thirty-Six . ll REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty-Four ca today who can win the "Triple Crown," and whether he is to be stopped by the Vanderbilt horse or some other, only the auctual running will tell. It does not necessarily follow that Dark Star will have a ♦ greater advantage at the shorter distance of the Preakness. Native Dancer has the speed and it could be that the strategy to * be used will cause the Baltimore race to be run entirely differently than that at Louis- , ville. This writer for one is going to forget all about Native Dancers bloodlines in the Belmont Stakes, which is at one and one- » half miles. He proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that the mile and a quarter was % not beyond his staying capabilities and we do not think the Belmont will prove differently. At a mile and a half, Royal Bay Gem -may prove even more of a threat than he was at Churchill Downs. But that, too, remains to be seen. Suffice it to say for the moment, the Preakness should draw one of the largest throngs in its history. AAA Both Dark Star and Royal Bay Gem are feathers in the cap of the Australian sire. Royal. Gem II., who was brought here by Warner L. Jones, Jr., to replace the bril- i liant sire, Hash. Two years ago. Harry Guggenheim, owner of the Cain Hoy Sta- -ble, took Dark Star from the Keeneland salesring for ,500, and the colt is already j a bargain as he has earned 29,837. It was the cold case of a colt from the salesring meeting a homebred such as Native Dancer -* who was bred by Vanderbilt. The victory and Royal Bay Gem running fourth is the finest recommendation that Royal Gem II. can have with those who will be buying yearlings at the sales centers this summer. Last year, Warner L. Jones realized the highest price for a youngster by Royal Gem I n. when Arthur B. Hancock, Jr.. went to ,600 to purchase a brown filly out of the J mare Isolde, the dam of Dark Star. The next highest price, also at Keeneland, was the ,000 paid by Monte Weil for a brown colt out of Bayadere, the dam of Royal Bay Gem. From those two prices the range -scaled down to 00. Royal Gem II.s youngsters will probably command higher j prices this year, just as Polynesians took a jump a year ago. Natives of Louisville were naturally enthused over the showing -of Dark Star and Royal Bay Gem. as their sire stands at Warner L. Jones. Jr.s, Her- j mitage Farm, which is located at Goshen, jjust a short distance out of the Derby City.
