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Belmont Contestants Have Good Pedigrees Since the Belmont Stakes is "a breeders race," it was appropriate that all the colts prominent at the finish of this years renewal have pedigrees rich in staying blood. Nasrullah, Nashuas imported sire, last year was responsible for the Epsom Derby and St. Leger winner, Never Say Die. He was an ideal stayer, the fashion in which he won the St. -Leger at Don-caster over a heavy, tiring track indicating that distance was the least of his worries. In Nashuas case, it has always been our view that his inheritance from the Johnstown mare, Segula, is at least as strong as from Nasrullah, but be that as it may, Segula, who has also given us the fine staying Alsab mare, Sabette, is certainly far from a negligible influence. Johnstown, it will be recalled, won not only the Kentucky Derby but the Belmont Stakes in the Belair colors, while Mr. Fitz still speaks of the sire of Nashuas dam as "the fastest colt I ever trained," not the best, mind you — that honor being reserved for Gallant Fox — but the fastest. Finishing at a respectful distance behind Nashua last Saturday, the two Count Fleet colts, Blazing Count and Portersville, both showed better at the exacting mile and a half route than they ever had in the sprints or "middle distance" events in which they had previously raced. The effort of the gray Blazing Count was particularly gratifying because so much had been expected of this one as a yearling, and at that time we can testify that he was just about the handsomest of his age in Kentucky. As he matured however, Blazing Count completely lost his distinguishing good looks, and on the Belmont walking ring the other afternoon, the rangy gray was "just another colt." In compensation, he has, as have so many of Count Fleets get, an impressive style of moving, a bold, long, free stride that is admirably suited for the longer routes. As a two-year-old, Blazing Count had keen speed in the abbreviated dashes, but at that time he had an unfortunate habit of carrying his head very high, so high that he looked as if he needed a martingale. That has all changed. At present, you have quite another picture, and it is of a well-balanced individual.
