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Notes From Along the Banks of Stoner Creek By LE SANCY PARIS, Ky., May 6.— They were talking about the Derby around the stallion barn at Stoner Creek today. "Theyre arguing wholl win the Derby tomorrow. But there was no argument 12 years ago," remembered stud groom Bob Walling. "It was just a question of how far hed win by," Walling added, motioning toward the stall where the great Count Fleet was peering out of the door. AAA Yes, Count Fleet came up to the 1943 Derby in magnificent style. Following a brilliant two-year-old campaign, during which he set a worlds record over a mile for a juvenile— 1:34%— Count Fleet came to Churchill Downs after scoring two easy wins at three. One was a victory in the Wood Memorial. In the winter books, Count Fleet had opened at 5-2. By Derby week he was 1-2. He went off in the mu-tuels at 2-5. AAA Count Fleet was the second starter for Mrs. John D. Hertz in the famed race at Louisville. Fifteen years earlier, she had been represented by Reigh Count, sire of Count Fleet. He, too, was given little chance of getting beaten, although he was making his first start as a three-year-old and there was some anxiety concerning his full recovery from a recent injury. Sent off a strong favorite, Reigh Count won easily by three lengths, beating the biggest field ever to go postward in the great classic.
