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. Jamaica By Bob Horwood Lowe, Nerud Doing Right by Gallant Man Son of Migoli May Be Even Better at Four Inside Tract Looms on Preakness Horizon JAMAICA. L. I.. N. Y.. May 15. — Rumors continue to emanate from Pimlico to the effect that Ralph Lowes Gallant Man will start in the Preakness, despite his owners owners emphatic emphatic statement statement that that . owners owners emphatic emphatic statement statement that that the colt would not be a starter in the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans." and despite trainer Johnny Nerud "s equally decisive words on the same point. This writer can hardly be accused of being a "knocker" with regard to the son of Migoli, having tabbed him as a "Derby colt" as far back as the Tropical Park meeting, but at the same time, I have have more more than than once once suggested suggested have have more more than than once once suggested suggested that he is a little colt, not much, if any. bigger than Federal Hill, and is made in the model of a sprinter, with a sprinters action. In fact, one afternoon at Tropical Park, this was remarked to Nerud, who said, "I know, he doesnt run like a stayer and he doesnt even act like a good horse, but he does everything a good horse should do, so I have to believe in him." The Nebraskan added, however, that every boy who had ridden him~had said on dismounting that Gallant Man would "run all day" and pointed out that his pedigree suggested that he would "go on." In declining to run in the Preakness just two weeks after his moral victory in the Kentucky Derby, Lowe and Nerud are making more sense than is customary with owners and trainers of a good colt. There should be no criticism of this decision. To ask the little, short-striding colt to start in the Pimlico event just two weeks after the Derby would risk completely ruining a thoroughbred who will, like Tom Fool, probably be a lot better at four than he is now. Of course, IF would be a "natural" to have Iron Liege and Gallant Man meet again while interest is still blazing following their desperate and more than somewhat cloudy encounter in the Derby, but to run the sen of Migoli back could compromise the future career of one who could, conceivably, be a great horse, given the time and the patience that his owner and trainer seem willing to expend. Miler Who May Extend Himself I still have to think that Gallant Man is essentially a "miler," who will often beat good horses at longer distances because of the circumstances of the races, just as Pavot was able to win the Belmont Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup though almost falling down at the finish, and Needles and Stymie acquired the reputation of being distance horses. Needles had, and has. the same short stride as Gallant Man and it is not unreasonable to suspect that his sulkiness in the morning is the direct result of his being repeatedly asked to make the tremendous effort of coming from far back to win the Flamingo. Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Trainer Hirsch Jacobs has more than once said that Stymie was at his best at a mile or less, though he became the most popular stayer of his time. The son of Equestrian won the Metropolitan Mile twice and, when winning longer races, actually only ran about three-sixteenths at top speed. A few days before the running of the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah last winter. Mr. Fitz declared that he preferred his stake horses to come from behind, rather than be on the lead and have one horse after another charging at them. A moment or so after, the much younger, but obviously capable "Jimmy" Jones said that he didnt care whether his horses ran early or late, just so that they could run some part of it. I have been trying to digest these diverse opinions from two of our most successful trainers for almost four months and have the temerity to at length come up with a third conclusion, which is that the only horses deserving to be called "great" are those who can take the lead at any distance and display the speed and stamina to go all the way. The immediate American examples to come to mind are Man o War, Count Fleet and Tom Fool, while Citation undoubtedly could have taken the lead in the first sixteenth of any race in which he started. Can you name any better horses than this quartet? All were long-striding horses, but had early speed as well as endurance. You can add Nashua to this list, if you count his best races, and also Swaps, both front runners when at their best. And it might be remembered that Seabiscuits best race was his match with War Admiral, when he had been sharpened for days and was thus able to take the lead from the Man o War colt at Pimlico. More Sophomore Talent Developing Eddie Arcaros discouraging report on Bold Rulers race in the Preakness Prep has encouraged at least one trainer to seriously consider sending a colt to Pimlico for the rich event this week end. Jack Weipert Jr. has just about decided to ship D. and M. Stables Inside Tract, on the theory that he has an excellent chance of at least running third. The colt appeared pounds the best when finishing second to Glenelg Stables Assemblyman here this week. That doesnt have to be true, yet still leave the son of Ace Admiral a chance of beating all but Iron Liege and Bold Ruler in the Preakness. Ted Atkinson, who rode Assemblyman that afternoon, has said that Mrs. Andy Fowlers colt is improving so rapidly that he is now eligible to beat anyones three-year-old.
