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» ~ ■—■■—i__" T. ALIE GRISSOM— Whose Shan Pac trailed in Saturdays Kentucky Derby, had two winners on yesterdays Churchill Downs card with Queensware and Know All winning consecutive races. — — — _____ i Hartack Tells How Iron Liege Scored in 83rd Kentucky Derby RanGame Race and Deserved* To Win, Rider States, but He Thinks Gen. Duke Is Better By WILLIE HARTACK Written Especially for Daily Racing Form CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky.. May 6. — Jimmy Jones told me a few days ago that if Gen. Duke was scratched, I would ride Iron Liege in the Kentucky Derby. In the paddock before the race, he said that he wasnt able to explain Iron Lieges poor showing in the Trial, except that the colt doe snt care to be rated. Hes a horse that doesnt have a big run. but just goes along evenly. We knew that Federal Hill. Round Table and Bold Ruler would be out there in front, and while I had no specific orders, we more or less planned to lay somewhere around fourth. I hoped to get away from the gate, get a good position and just see what happened after that. Iron Liege was extra strong during the warmup, which was a pleasant surprise. I hadnt ridden him in a long time. I hit him as we left the gate and we broke on top. Federal Hill was on the inside and Bold Ruler was on the outside in the run for first turn and I eased my horse back so he wouldnt be -pinched and had a good hold on him. We were laying third on the clubhouse turn. Bold Ruler, who had his head cocked, was acting rank and tried to get out here, and so did Federal Hill. I was just going along easily on the path that I picked out after leaving the gate, maybe five feet off the inside rail. Come-From-Behind Horses Main Worry Once we turned down the back side. I knew that Federal Hill and Bold Ruler probably werent going to get anything and that it was the come-from-behind horses that I would have to watch out for. I didnt want to use my horse up too early, so that I wouldnt have anything left for the stretch. When we reached the head of the far turn, Carstens dropped Federal Hill on the rail and I had to check my horse momentarily and then ease him outside of Federal Hill. I never moved with my horse on the turn. I knew Federal Hill wasnt going to last and I let him pace me around to the head of the stretch. I set my horse down for the drive and noticed Round Table inside of Federal Hill. Bold Ruler was beginning to fade here. I hit my horse after leaving the quarter pole and kept sticking him left-handed through the stretch. He ran straight and didnt try to get out. In the vicinity of the eighth pole, I noticed Shoemaker on Gallant Man out of the corner of my eye. but I didnt turn for any good look. I just kept riding. I knew "Shoe" was gaining with every stride, but my horse kept digging in. When Gallant Man ran to Iron Lieges head, my -horse Continued on Page Threo Hartack Tells How Iron Liege Won 52,050 Kentucky Derby Continued from Page One seemed to give a little extra spurt. I didnt notice "Shoe" riding up in the saddle as they say he did. My horse ran a good game race and handled very nicely. He deserved to win. At the same time I think Gen. Duke has the edge over him so far: hes always beaten . Iron Liege and I prefer his overall temperament. However, I dont have a closed mind on the subject. If Iron Liege shows a marked improvement over Gen. Duke when they come up to their next race together, Id ride him. He never gave up that last sixteenth of a mile, and he could have. He could have finished third and I think • we would have all been satisfied, me and everyone else connected with him. He proved himself a little better than we thought he was.
