view raw text
► Five and Ten Likely Starting Field Extremes for Preakness t High Sparkle to Be Vanned Over After Race Tomorrow; Gallant Man Still Possibility By JOE II I KM II NEW YORK. N. Y., May 9.— The field for the 81st running of Pimlicos historic Preakness Stakes, middle jewel in racings Triple Crown for three-year-olds, is not likely to solidify before next Tuesday, it became apparent here today. In the latest developments: cl Trainer Harry Wells said at Garden State that Woodland Farms High Sparkle will compete in the Delaware Valley Stakes at the Camden course on Saturday and will van to Baltimore for the Preakness on Monday or Tuesday; 2 Johnny Nerud. who conditions Ralph Lowes Gallant Man, revealed on Long Island that the English-bred son of Migoli must still be considered a "possible" for the race, with a final decision due no later than next Tuesday; 3» John Gaver, the Greentree trainer, reported from Belmont Park that he has "no intention" of running Cohoes in the Preakness. as early newspaper accounts indicated. , Inswept Already on Scene Calumets Iron Liege, Wheatleys Bold Ruler and Clifford Lusskys Federal Hill, who finished first, fourth and fifth in last week ends Kentucky Derby, are definitely scheduled to appear in Pimlicos mile and three-sixteenths classic. Roslyn Farms Inswept, winner of Laurels Chesapeake Stakes, is already on the scene and pointing for the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans." Additionally, a mile and one-eighth race at Jamaica Friday involves Continued on Page Fifty-Six : : : * Five and Ten Likely Starting Field Extremes for Preakness High Sparkle to Be Vanned Over After Race Tomorrow; Gallant Man Still Possibility Continued from Page One four Preakness eligibles, with Mrs. Ethel D. Jacobs Promised Land and Mrs. Jules Schwartz Nah Hiss considered the stronger candidates for the Pimlico race. Calumets Gen. Duke, who was declared from the Kentucky Derby the morning of the race because of a bruised hoof, still is rated highly doubtful for the Preakness by trainer H. A. "Jimmy" Jones. Jones noted last Sunday that since Iron Liege had won the Derby, the pressure on the stable was considerably lessened and now Gen. Duke could be brought along a bit more conservatively. The son of Bull Lea and Wistful is likely to be reserved for the Belmont Stakes. Thus no fewer than five and possibly as many as eight or 10 horses could go to the post for the Preakness, which carries an added value of 00,000. Fridays Sunken Meadow Purse at Jamaica, Saturdays Delaware Valley at Garden State and Mondays mile and one-sixteenth Preakness Prep at Pimlico could and probably will play significant roles in determining the size of the Preakness field. Wells, said that Blue Sparklers full brother. High Sparkle, has been training for the Preakness ever since he left winter quarters at Columbia, S. C. Hes run twice this season, finished fifth in the mile and one-sixteenth Gotham after leading to the head of the stretch and then tiring, and was closing strongly to be fifth in the six-furlong Jamaica Handicap. High Sparkles Works Excellent "Hes put on a lot of flesh and youd never know him." Wells told this reporter on the phone. Unless he runs real bad on Saturday, hell definitely leave by van early next week and Ill probably be down there myself on Thursday to see him blow out. I know he hasnt gone a distance, and actually hes still a green horse because hes only run four times in all. But all his training this season has been predicated on his running in the Preakness and I think hell be able to hold his own. Hes been working splendidly here in recent weeks at any rate." Nerud. who seemed sure in Louisville on Sunday morning that Gallant Man wouldnt be ready for the Preakness, now seems on the fence about the situation, despite the fatiguing 31 -hour train trip back to New York following the Derby. Johnny wants to give the colt a few more days before making up his mind and promised to call Pimlico officials either Monday or Tuesday. Gaver advised that he never had any intention of running Cohoes in the Preakness and that the colt would probably be brought along slowly until the opening of Belmont Park at the end of this month. "Hes a young horse and theres a long season ahead," said this veteran horseman who is considered among the most astute members of his profession. As for that four-horse race in New York Friday, both Promised Land and Nah Hiss will ship to Baltimore early next week for the Preakness if they show well in the Sunken Meadow Purse, according to trainer Hirsch Jacobs and owner Julie Schwartz. Both horses had been scheduled to run in the Preakness Prep on Monday, the thought being that tomorrows race wouldnt fill. However, New York authorities sportingly permitted the event to go with four participants and so both camps are taking advantage of the opportunity.
