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I , ] ! KENTUCKY OAKS DAY RIGHT AT HAND. Fifteen Expected to Contest the Churchill Downs Race for Three-Ycar-Old Fillies. Ky C. A. Kcrgin. Louisville. Ky.. May 22. -The famous Kentucky Oaks, which is as old as the Kentucky D.-rby. and which, like the latter race, has never Missed an annual renewal, will have its forty -third running at Churchill Downs on next Friday, the closing day of tin- prevein successful meeting. Tin- Oaks! ftigrlhlT with the Derby and other early fixtures at Churchill Downs, was instituted bv Colonel M. Kewis Clark, founder of the Louisville Jockey Club, upon the return of that geatle man from a visit to Kngland. The Oaks was originally at a distance of a mile and a half and was run as a race for three -year-old fillies. Chang lag conditions of the turf brought changed conditions of stakes an I modified distntiees and weights. Within recent yc-irs the Oaks distance has been reduced to one mile mid a sixteenth. The first Oaks winner was Yinaigrctte, which won in 1875, in tin- colors of A. K. Lewis and C . The list of winners of the race since that year cm-brace some of the best fillies of their time. K. Corrigan and Thomas C. McDowell are the only owie-rs who iuive succeeded in capturing the stake i u three occasions. The former won with Modesty in 1884, and with Lfaafe Dwycr the following year. It was not until eighteen years later that Mr. Cirri gall succeeded again in winning the stake, hi: i.emco srariag in IMC The McDowell colors w.-re victorious in 1MB, when Knsh proved the winner, in 1MB, when Kings Daughter won. and again in 1915, wh-ii that good filly Waterhkaaaai proved her warth by winning from good opposition. Last vears renewal wi lit to George .1. Longs Kathleen, which was regarded as tin- best three year old filly ia the west. The Oaks Attracted Sixty Nominations. The Oaks this year attracted sixty nominations, comprising the cre:.m of the throe-y;-ur-nl I fillies of the west and quite a few claiming eastern ownership. From preaeat indications, a field of about fifteen will face the barrier in this years renewal, and it will take a mighty shifty filly to demonstrate her worth over the formidable opposi lion she will encounter. Most of the eligibles to the race have already beea seen under colors in their three-year-old age. so that th public has been able to obtain some line on their preaeat form and rac-ag ability. From all re pi its all ol" the prospective atarteri are gong along wtll in their work and will In- fit and ready to do their best next Friday. Among the probable starters most prominently inentioi. -d are A. K. Macomb- rs Sunbonnet. which quaifieii with distinction in a purse race last Monday: Schuyler I,. Parson-:. Koh i Noor. regarded as one of last years best two year olds, which has not y-t faced the barrier this year, but which is training in : plendid style; T. C. McDowells pair of • -racks. Aineri.M and Latoi-i-i: .1. W. Pnrrishs Kos.--wood: tin- Pastime Btabiea BaafUah; Killings ft Johnsons Pleasant Dreams; ex Senator .1. N Cam dens Satin: P. A. Clarks Battle; II. II. Hewitts St.ir Maid: K. K. Kradl-vs Kedtime Stories and Believe Me Beys; W. H. ltakers Mary Kelle and the Wickliffe Stables Mida. Jefferson Livingstons Diamond might also be included in this list. K. I. Zollicoflcrs grand fillv Fruit Cake, :s .-tlso an -lig-iblc. but it is doubtful if she is shipped here for tin- race. Figuring on a possible field of fifteen starters, first money this year will be worth approximately .33«. The It Had horse is awarded fSM, and the thirl horse ttM. The intrinsic value of the race, however, is but a secondary consideration with the many wealthy and prominent owners of eligibles. From the time of its foundation. He iamor of winning the Oaks has been sought after, almost as eagerly as the Derby itelf Mild aroand the winner is abed a radiance. almost is brilliant as thai which stir. -minds *i.e vie tor in tin- more valuable fixture.
