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Here and There on the Turf ~ Preakness Prediction. Three That Stand Out. Opening at the Downs. Jamaica Has Bad Luck. ■ Mad Play of the Rancocas Stable, Gifford A. Cochrans Revenue Agent and Apprehension, from the Oak Ridge Stable, at this time seem to be the most prominent candidates for the Preakness Stakes of the Maryland Jockey Club, that is to be decided Monday. This estimate is forced on what these good colts have accomplished and the manner in which some of the other erstwhile dangerous candidates have not measured up to expectations. Until John S. Ward gave Wise Counsel lor his final work at Pimlico Friday he belonged -right up at the head of the class, but that move was so far away from what was ex- pec ted that he need not be seriously considered. Rustic, the A. H. Morris candidate, did not impress in his move the same day and, while Diogenes worked well, he does not seem to measure up to the Preakness requirements at this time. It is a bit remarkable that while but a short time ago the good three-year-olds were coming along in a way that promised racing such as seldom has been seen before, one after another they have been dropping out. First it was Sarazen that disappointed. Then St. James, after his magnificent begin ning when he won the Paumonok Handicap from Zev, met with an injury that has forced him out of training. This injury, incidentally, is much more serious than was at first thought and it is doubtful if St. James will be seen under colors again this year. With the two considered the most dangerous rivals of Wise Counsellor out of the way it looked bright for the Kentucky champion, but now Wise Counsellor himself has failed to work in a fashion to suggest any great probability of his being the winner of the Preakness Stakes. Of course, it was only a workout and he may be a different horse in company Monday, but at this time he is not taken seriously by some as a Preakness probability. Mad Play has come up to the Preakness Stakes in excellent condition and both of his races at Jamaica were decidedly impressive. He has shown readiness for the journey and there will probably be no better trained horse sent to the post. If it was for no other reason than his showing in the Dixie Handicap, Revenue Agent would have to be seriously considered in the Preakness Stakes. This good colt has had a long and careful preparation and he has shown in all of his workouts that he is a rare stayer. Barring accidents, he should be a keen contender for the big race of Monday. Apprehension, the three year old son of HsnT Rock and Swan Song, by Ben Brush, came to the races this year a maiden, but he was the winner of his first race and he has shown speed that at once gives him a front place among the Preakness possibilities. He was not started as a two-year old, but John Loft us has brought him back this year in a condition that makes it appear that C. Ryan, owner of the Oak ridge Stable, made no mis IsJn when he paid 1,000 for him as a yearling at the Saratoga sales. This colt is ready for the Preakness and he is sure to give • good account of himself. J. S. Coedens Nautical is another that should run a smashing race and there are • 7 1 . 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 1 1 2 3 • 4 c j 6 I I 7 i 1 - ! ■ 3 | 4 " i 7 ■ I t e s , • g 14 - _ d r, . I • others that may show to advantage Monday, but just now. it would seem that Mad Play, Revenue Agent and Apprehension have a little on the others. All of the misfortunes are not confined to New York and Maryland for there comes word from Kentucky of how In Memoriam has gone wrong and will be out of racing for some time. This great four-year-old was training brilliantly until he met with his misfortune that lamed him badly and Bob Gilmore had reason to believe he had the best handicap horse in the country. Many who saw the match between Zev and In Memoriam last fall are still of the opinion that In Memoriam was the better colt and it is hoped that there will be a chance to bring the pair together again this year to settle the question. The Kentucky Jockey Club has begun its big meeting with the Saturday racing at Churchill Downs. The Louisville course has undergone many changes since last year and it is now a worthy racing ground for the Kentucky Derby. This old stake race some years ago outgrew Churchill Downs. It became altogether too small to take care of the vast crowds that journeyed there each year. In fact, the Derby outgrew Louisville itself and it was the Derby more than any other one thing that induced the builidng of commodious new hotels. It was a new Churchill Downs that was thrown open yesterday and it is now able to take care of the largest Derby crowd. The seating capacity has been enlarged by a grand stand that is more than 1,400 feet long and the box capacity has been more than doubled. There were various other improvements for the comfort and convenience of the racing crowds, until Churchill Downs is now the last word in modern racing grounds. This opening of Churchill Downs is the opening of the Kentucky Jockey Club circuit and seldom before was there racing impending of such promise. Churchill Downs promises to make glorious turf history this year, while Latonia has an abundance of rich races that will bring together the best horses from every section. Jamaica has had more than its share of inclement weather for its meeting this year, but the sport has been high class from the run ning of the Paumonok Handicap on Aprd 29 to the running of the Excelsior Handicap yester da. It is a meeting that has seen the return of many a good horse and it has also served to introduce some truly high class three year olds. There remain nine days of racing at Jamaica and if the weather man relents there is ample time for bright sunshiny days and racing under more favorable conditions. The horses are there and they are fit. The crowd has been wonderfully loyal to the sport and all are surely entitled to a bit more of sunshine and a little less of wintry blasts and driving rain.
