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mill 4 Maryland By William C. Phillips 1 Marylanders Have Their Own Derby Today Laurel Event Attracts Seven Homebreds John Hernon Expected to Rule as Favorite LAUREL, Md., May 1.— The first Saturday in May is synonymous with Derby Day. There may be relatively few who take notice outside of the Free State but this is an occasion for two derbys this year, the Maryland and the Kentucky, and regional pride naturally gives precedence to the local version. It is much younger than the Blue Grass classic — two years as against 85, and slightly less valuable in terms of money — 6, 200 as compared to 65,300. There may be a few less people on hand to view the event, also, but for those who do it has promise of being an unforgettably ex citing race. John D. Schapiro, president of Laurel, is the first to admit that there is only "one" Kentucky Derby. Thats nothing special. There is only one Washington, D. C, International, too, and Schapiro would not trade a dozen Derbys for one International; his personal "dream" race that has become a reality by dint of his own efforts, and an event which centers the attention of the entire world on Laurel each autumn. As for Maryland Derby day, it also is the final afternoon of the Laurel spring meeting, and the association has made arrangements for a spectacular program of entertainment to celebrate the occasion. Bands, marching units, pretty girls and a few other colorful touches, including seven high -geared Maryland-foaled three-year-olds who will vie at 1 1-16 miles in the Derby. Bowie Claimer Gains Stature John Hernon is the early favorite to win the Maryland Derby as a repeat from his triumph last Monday in the Eastern Shore Purse. His owner-trainer is soft-voiced Ray E. Vogelman Jr., a seasoned local horseman who developed and owns the good filly, Hoosier Honey. Vogelman claimed the Howard County-bred son of British Buddy — Hash Queen early this spring at Bowie for ,500. It was a winning race, and since then he has shown steady improvement while winning four times and placing in his only other two races. John Hernon came from last place in the mile and 70 yards Eastern Shore Purse, was forced wide circling the field into the stretch and was good enough to win gradually going away by three-quarters of a length. He defeated four of his Derby rivals in that prep. It was a close thing, however, all around. Danny Sheas Eager Beaver may have been a trifle short in his condition, finishing second; Maryknoll Farms Poppy Jay and J. Serio Jr.s Dr. Herb dead-heated for show, just another neck behind, and Mrs. W. A. Edgars Nora Dares raced well as far as j she went. Argument could be made in the cause of each of the seven Maryland Derby participants. A personal preference isN felt for Poppy Jay, a colt by Double Jay — White Poppy, by Pavot. The tallest colt in the field, his long strides smoothly carried him to the leaders entering the stretch and he appeared a winner at the eighth pole. The pacesetting Dr. Herb drifted out and brushed him, setting Poppy Jay wide on his course, and the latter then hung. It was his first attempt over a middle distance in nine races this spring and a little improvement and luck in the running could bring him a victory. Approximately the same can be said in favor of the others, however, and the race actually boils down to a matter of personal choice. Dr. Herb has the singular advantage of carrying the same weight as in the Eastern Shore. The winning John Hernon must pick up six pounds, Poppy Jay and Eager Beaver both must assume two pounds additional, while Nora Dares has her work really cut out with an increase of five pounds. The latter is the only filly in the group. Pick John Bruce for Roses This writer has withheld any personal opinion regarding the Kentucky Derby tip to this time simply because he had none. The "Derby fever" has taken its hold, however, and on the eve of the classic we have come to the conclusion that K. G. Marshalls John Bruce is the horse they will have to beat. Out of sight, out of mind, and we had almost forgotten the long-legged son of Better Self — Genevra M., by Percentage, when the colt came to attention by finishing second to First Landing in the second division of the Derby Trial. Comparatively little has been said about John Bruce and an argument in his behalf may not be out of order. There are those with more impressive pedigrees and vastly more notable achievements, but the fact is that of all the Derby timber seen by this writer, the only one to send that certain tingle up and down the spine has been John Bruce. It happened in a 7-furlongs race over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs last autumn. John Bruce swung to the middle af the track entering the stretch and closed seven lengths in the final furlong to be second behind a fleeting Winsome Winner. A week later he finished lapped outside Winsome Winner and Pilot in the mile Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and was just starting to run in the last 40 yards. The surging late speed generated by the colt in those races left an indelible impression. In a year when even the most avid supporters of the leading contenders footnote their appraisals with a "maybe" he, or she, will get the Derby distance, it appears from this far-away corner that it is well to look - for a colt who has been closing ground in practically every race he has run.
