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J. S. WARDS DERBY CANDIDATE Boniface Counted on As a Likely Representative of Kentuckian for Three-Year-Old Honors. J. S. Ward is of the opinion that his Transvaal Cerina colt Boniface will develop into a high-class three-year-old and will enter him in the Kentucky Derby. Boniface made his initial appearance under colors at the spring meeting of the New Louisville Jockey Club at Churchill Downs and created a good impression by winning over a fair band of youngsters In convincing fashion. His next start was at Douglas Park and resulted In another easy victory. A few days later Boniface met his first defeat when Atalanta took his measure in a dash of five-eighths of a mile, the success of the latter .being due principally to the superior riding of jockey Morys. Stearns had the mount on Boniface and his wretched handling of the Ward colt cost him the race. From Douglas Park the colt was taken to Kenil-worth Park at Windsor and the change of scene seemed to affect Boniface adversely, as in his first start there he got away slowly and galloped behind his opponents throughout. Jack Hare Jr., Atalanta and C. A. Comiskey winning in the order named. Boniface was not raced again until the autumn meeting at Churchill Downs, where he won at the first asking, displaying speed in abundance after getting away to a slow start, being awarded the verdict in the final strides of a terrific stretcli drive. Moving over to Latonia for his engagement in tho Fort Thomas Stakes, Boniface encountered hard racing luck during the running of that event, being forced wide in the stretcli when he was in a contending position, which cost him second place. Boniface was third with such good ones as Viva America, Tex Forman, Herald, Everest and others behind him. His last start of the year was in a handicap at three-nuartors of a mile, in which he failed to show his usual speed and was outpaced throughout. Trainer Ward is satisfied that the colt has shown him enough to warrant the belief that Boniface will be a much better three-year-old and be able to hold his own in fast company next year. Boniface is wintering in fine condition, growing heavier and spreading out In general. His owner savs Boniface will go a long distance in good style and should be able to stay the Derby route.
