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. ——————«-»"-» Italy Theodorica Adds To Her Laurels By F. L ANDES Rome Correspondent, Dally Racing Form MILAN, Italy — After proving to be in a class by herself among members of her sex. by .her overwhelming successes in the . Italian Italian One One Thousand Thousand Italian Italian One One Thousand Thousand Guineas, the Premio Regina Elena at one mile, and in the Italian Oaks at a mile and three furlongs, the three-year-old Owen Tudor filly Theodorica added her third classic to her brilliant record, when she ran off with the 1,850 Gran Premio Dltalia last Sunday. jay The iphg Tesio-bred Tesio-bred is is ——————«-»"-» jay The iphg Tesio-bred Tesio-bred is is now champion of her otherwise painfully moderate generation, at least as long as her stable companion, the still unbeaten Ribot remains on the sidelines. The Tene-rani colt is said to be still bothered by the foot trouble which befell him after his last triumph in the Premio Emanuele Filiberto. At the moment it seems unlikely that he will race again before the fall. A similar mishap occured to the Derby winner Altrek, whose absence from the Gran Premio Dltalia has deprived the race of much of its lustre. The official reason given for his failing to show up was a coughing spell. But we learn from reliable sources that, unfortunately, his ailment is more serious. The distinguished sophomore, to all appearances, arrived in Milan lame after his Journey from Rome. His owner, who also maintains one of Italys best known sfandardbred racing stables, called in his harness race trainer and driver, Alexander Finn, for consultation. This veteran, who -is considered one of the finest ex-.perts on leg ailments, suggested a treatment which the Antonio Canale colt is now undergoing. But Italian racing will miss for some time one of its first class performers. This years classic winners seem to share a common, fatal destiny. The Razza Del Solders Vasco DaGama, victor in the Premio Paruoli, this countrys Two Thousand Guineas, was the first victim of the jinx, followed by Ribot and Altrek. Theodorica is the only exception so far. She emerged sound from her four victories in a row. She should fulfill expectations and enliven the coming stakes. The Gran Premio Dltalia is the counterpart of the Derby. Established the first year of Milans race courseSan Siro in 1921, it was run for the first six years at one mile and nine-sixteenths. The three following years the distance was reduced one-sixteenth to one mile and a half. In 1928 it was increased to 14 furlongs. In 1929 it was re-established at the classic European Derby distance of one mile and one-half. Its purpose has always been to provide a check on the Derby winner on a course which, admittedly, is more difficult than the Roman layout, with its two long lanes and one breath-saving, wide flung bend. By accepting entries up to a short ■ time before the race, the Milan Racing Society provided owners the opportunity to enter horses whose nomination in the Derby had been omitted in the year of their birth. The opportunity for foreign- born sophomores to take up arms against homebred contemporaries increases the sporting and spectacular value of this splendid climax for three-year-olds. Winners of both the Derby and the Grand Premio Dltalia alike have always been standout horses of International reputation. If we take exception in the case, of Traghetto in 1945, when, in the closing days of World War II. the two races wese merged into one at Milan, this Cavaliese DAfpino son became famous as the sire of the Arc de Triomphe victor Nuccio, now a stallion in the Aga Khans stud farm in France. Only 13 Derby winners out of 33 have achieved this remarkable double. The late Fed-erico Tesio was responsible for seven, of whom Michel-Angelo was the first, in 1921. In later years the famed breeder-owner-trainer saddled such widely known future stallions as Donatello II., Nearco, "Niccolo DellArca, Torbido and Tenerani, who contributed heavily to the improvement of bloodstock in England, Ireland and the United States. His last champion to bring it off in both features was Botticelli last year, who in this writers opinion is in no way inferior to his illustrous forerunners. Others who stand out on this honor list are Teddys son Ortello whose offspring, Torbido, followed his fathers example; Gladiolo, who, exported to the United Continued on Page Forty -Nine Report From Italy 1 ■v By F. LAfcDES , *h; Continued from Page Eight States did not get the chance he deserved, and Golfo", whose sire, Moroni by Ortello won*only the Gran Premio Dltalia, being a J non-starter in the Derby at 1940 captured by his stable companion Bellini. Theodorica was the second Tesio-bred filly and the third of her sex to score in the Gran Premio Dltalia. The Razza Del Soldos unforgettable Archidamia, after having wo:* the Derby, had to share victory in the races only recorded dead heat in 1928; with Fourways son Ettore Tito. .In 1948 the Razza Dormellc— Olgiatas Tevi-saha by Niccolo DellArca carried the silks which were worn by Theodorica. Theodorica, although not at her best after a slight touch of fever, left nothing but distance between herself and her competition, composed of the Razza Del Soldos inde structible Chiadina, Paolo Mezzanottes Grand Rapids, who was Altreks runner-up in the Derby, and the French-bred Makkar* who obviously did not belong and consequently finished last behind the winning stables second entry, Derain. Quickest to begin, Theodorica, with her sweeping stride, asserted at once her authority when she led by six lengths. Without being asked by jockey Enrico Camici to do more than continue her regular, galloping action, she registered by eight lengths over Chiadina, who preceded Grand Rapids by 10 lengths. The half-sister to Tommaso Guidi and Toulouse Lautrec stepped the distance effortless in the good time of 2:32%. She is now qualified to substitute for her excellent stable companion Botticelli in the seasons International highlight, the Gran Premio Di Milano at one mile and seven furlongs. Blue Peters son would then be free to challenge Europes best on their own grounds. Nominated for the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud one mile and mine-sixteenths, to be run at the end of this month in Paris and the King George Vl/and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at a. mile and one-half next month in Ascot, England, his owner might still decide to send him postward before those •Kates in one of the English distance races. If the going is good, Botticelli would be a serious threat to all comers everywhere.
