A Matter of Timing

Getting a three-year-old tuned up for the Kentucky Derby is a delicate matter of training and timing. Some trainers hold that the proper pitch is achieved by winter racing in Florida or California; others favor a slower tempo, try to bring the horse to quick Derby peak in the April prep races. Last week Trainer Syl Veitch, who handles horses for C. V. ("Sonny") Whitney, made the gradual approach look impressive.

While Oil Capitol, the early winter book favorite for the Kentucky Derby, was winning Florida's Flamingo Stakes in March, Mr. Trouble was leading a more leisurely life in South Carolina. Mr. Trouble, a 40-1 shot in the winter books, made his three-year-old debut in mid-April, ran a strong fourth in a six-furlong race. A fortnight ago (TIME, May 1), he ran second to the current Derby favorite, Your Host, in a race in which the California-bred winner set a new track record for seven furlongs. Last week Trainer Veitch gave Mr. Trouble his final tune-up in competition, sent him out in the mile-and-one-eighth (one-eighth of a mile short of the Derby distance) Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland track. Mr. Trouble drove home in front, three-quarters of a length ahead of Oil Capitol.

Bettors, who had been chiefly devoting their attention to such outstanding colts as Hill Prince, Your Host, Middleground, Oil Capitol and Theory, now had to take a sharp second look at Mr. Trouble. Early this week, with the Derby five days away, his odds were down to 10-1. Those who had been lucky or smart enough to get down in the winter book at 40-1 just looked pleased.

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