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FREECUTTER FORWARD IN CONDITION George 3. Longs Derby Candidate Working in Highly Pleasing Manner — Nelsweep in Fine Fettle. Louisville. Ky.. April 1:*. — The steady improvement shown by Ueorge J. Longs Kentucky Derby candidate Freecutter in his preparation for the Churchill Downs big event is winning for that son of Free Lance — Cutter many new adherents, many of whom are strong iu the conviction that he will prove a worthy opponent for Sun Briar. Kscoba and the other cracks that will make up the Derby field on the aftermsin of May 11. The colts most reii-nt work at one mile demonstrated beyond cavil that he has reached an advanced stage in his preparation and that it will require but little further work to get him in prime condition for the big race. Yesterday morning, over a track that was several seconds slow, Freecutter reeled off the mile at an even pace, the timers catching him in 1 :4H. What impressed the onlookers most was the fact that the colt covered the ground faster in the filial quarter than he did in the first, thus tending to the belief that he will not find it a difficult task to traverse the Derby route of a mile and a quarter. A number of other Derby aspirants are also showing up favorably iu their preparation. Xelsweep. stable companion of Sun Briar, is showing constant improvement under the skillful handling of Henry Mcltoniel. Since coming to the local track this colts Derby stock has gone up considerably and those horsemen who formerly were inclined to belittle his chances are now ready to admit their mistake in underrating his ability. This colt has done everything asked of him and already is in fine fettle for the i-ontest. SPEARLENE WORKING WELL. At Douglas Park Derby nominees are absorbing a monopoly of the attention of the work watchers. The gallops t f Spearlenc. a son of Spearmint, are the subject of much favorable comment, while the performances of Aurum, American and John I. Day. the other Derby eligibles in the Livingston barn, are not without merit. The work of this quartet has been so uniformly good that trainer Mose Gold-blatt cannot make up his mind just which ones he will select to carry the stables colors in the big race. It is a safe assertion, however, that two of the number will he named as starters and that this honor will probably fall to Aurum and Spearlene. both foreign-bred colts. Another Derby nominee that is attracting attention is James Foster, that will carry the silks of W. H. Baker in the race. This colt 1ms recently returned from Hot Springs, where he went through a course of preparation. Since his advent at the local track this colt has worked in a most satisfactory manner and is now lieing given exercise at a mile. His owner thinks highly of his chances in the Derby, and the fact that Raker has thus far refused permission to his star rider. Roscoe Goose, to accept any other mount in the Derby would tend to the belief that he fully expects to put Goose up on James Foster on the afternoon of the race. *
