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■■■■;... . Maryland By William C. Phillips 1 Pimlico Welcomes Contenders for Preakness Maryland Derby to Dr. Herb in Handy Style John Hernon Disappointment of Laurel Stake PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 4. — And now a dressed-up, modernized old Pimlico and the entire turf world awaits the arrival of those who survived the Kentucky Derby examination. It will not be long. These bravest of the brave will be arriving momentarily to prepare over the faster, more oblongated Pimlico course for the May 16 renewal of the 50,000 added Preakness. Lest it be forgotten, however, there were two Derbys run last Saturday. Laurel race track concluded its artistically successful 28-day spring meeting with the second running of the Maryland Derby for products of the Free State. The Maryland Derby admittedly lacked the glamor attendant to the elder, richer Kentucky version. It was not without its charm, however, and the crowd of 13,920 enjoyed the unique distinction of being the only persons in the entire world who have been privileged to watch two Derbys in one afternoon. Exactly one hour and three minutes after Joseph J. Serios Dr. Herb flashed to the finish as the winner of the Maryland Derby, the throng gathered in front of Laurels numerous closed-circuit TV sets and witnessed Mr. and Mrs. Fred Turner Jr.s Tomy Lee savagely outfinish Mrs. Dodge Sloanes Sword Dancer. It made for a complete and satisfying afternoon of sport. The running of the Maryland Derby was quite simple and uncomplicated in comparison to the stormy stretch duel staged at Churchill Downs. Dr. Herb profited from his first experience over a middle distance of ground in the earlier part of the week to carry his speed from flag to wire in the Derby. Veteran Rocco Sisto gave Dr. Herb a light taste of the whip when Danny Sheas Eager Beaver began to loom threateningly in the last furlong, but was content thereafter to flick the stick menacingly past the colts eye. The broad-hipped son of Buy and Sell — Sensme, by Roman, took the hint and he carried on at full steam to hold Eager Beaver safe by three-quarters of a length. At 119 pounds, Dr. Herb was conceding his rival six pounds, and the victory appeared most convincing. His time over a fast track was 1:45%, not impressive, but entirely adequate. Eager Beaver Tried to Get Out1 Jockey Henry Block, who rode Eager Beaver, complained after the race that his colt attempted to "get out" the entire distance. The intimation was that he could have won otherwise. Eager Beaver bested Dr. Herb by the margin of a neck the previous Monday in the Eastern Shore Purse, and it is logical to assume that Blocks lament possesses merit. The only trouble is that the altered son of River War — Miss Upstart, by Top Hole, also attempted to race wide in their previous encounter, and it is more logical to assume that the reversed decision in the Derby was caused primarily by an improvement on the part of Dr. Herb and a two-pound increase in weight on Eager Beaver. The disappointment in the race was Ray E. Vogel-man Jr.s John Hernon, an altered son of British Buddy who had wheeled from last place to register impressively by a half-length over these same rivals in the Eastern Shore. Jockey Raul Sterling opined after the Derby that he "was not the same horse." That much was obvious. John Hernon trailed the field early, as before, but he lacked the expected punch in the drive and the extra distance from a mile and 70 yards in the earlier race failed to produce any advantage. He finished fifth, beating only Tyson Gilpens Serendipity, who was the longshot of the field. The question is "why" was John Hernon not the same horse? Perhaps he would have been more alert had Vogelman given him a blow-out to put an edge on his speed on Friday morning instead of a long, slow gallop. More likely the favorite already had reached his peak in the Eastern Shore, and it was now time for the others to blossom. Stage Set for Rematch The duel between Tomy Lee and Sword Dancer in the Kentucky Derby sets the stage for one of the most intriguing Preaknesses in its long and colorul history. They each possess enough speed that neither should be at a disadvantage over the shorter Preakness distance. The elongated stretch run of 220 feet for the Preakness this year will afford the two gallant colts an excellent battleground. ... A question most frequently asked here is what happened to the speed expected from Silver Spoon? . . . On the Laurel TV receivers it looked as if William Shoemaker put forth the ride of a lifetime. Notwithstanding Bolands claim of foul, it appeared Sword Dancer came in and bumped Tomy Lee first. That Shoemaker briefly steadied his colt and, with full intent and purpose, hit him left handed and steered Tomy Lee into Sword Dancer to make sure he gave as much as he received. Then, that "The Shoe" cleverly gave Tomy Lee a breather while Boland was slashing Sword Dancer, and clocked the wire perfectly. The impression was that if Shoemaker had continued driving Tomy Lee the two colts would have continued banging each other the entire final furlong, and that being on the inside, Tomy Lee would have received the worst of it. • 1 / 1 . 1 .4 G i . I . 1 /
