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g $ Here and There on the Turf Failure of Petee -Wrack. Bobashela Moves Up. Crop Seems Ordinary. Pimlicos Big Opening. $ $ J. R. Macombers Petee-Wrack, by a recent defeat of George Sloanes Hopeful Stakes winner Brooms, at Havre de Grace, moved up in a consideration of the best for the Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky Derby. The son of Wrack ran a good race on that occasion, but the track was heavy and he was only carrying 106 pounds to the 115 pounds carried by Brooms. Now that the Macomber colt was eo soundly beaten in the running of the rich Chesapeake Stakes, over the same course, he must slip back again in any consideration of eligibles to the two big races. In the running of this closing feature of the Harford Association on Monday, Petec-Wrack was asked to race over a fast track and under only 110 pounds, so it is hard to find a real excuse for his showing. Last year Petec-Wrack went through the year without winning a race, but he was always among the best and on almost every occasion there were happenings that suggested misfortune boating him, rather than any lack of speed. This contention was borne out to a degree when he won from Brooms, but the Chesapeake Stakes would indicate that Petee-Wrack, after all, is not in ihe real top notch class of this year. The Cheasapeake Stakes was over the mile and a sixteenth route and it is a race calculated to offer a good line on the good three-year-olds, for it has invariably attracted a good field. It is run at a time that it should afford a good line on the qualifications of eligibles to the Preakness Stakes at a mile and three-sixteenths, to be run at Pimlico May 11, and the Kentucky Derby, at a mile and a quarter, to be decided at Churchill Downs, May 19. No excuse could be found for Petee-Wrack in the running of the Cheasapeake Stakes and it would just about eliminate him as a real danger for the big stake races of this month, unless he should be fortunate enough to find muddy going, when he will undoubtedly show to better advantage than over a fast course. There were others in that Chesapeake Stakes that attracted favorable attention and naturally one of these is Bobashela, the winner. This colt was under equal weight with Petee-Wrack and his was a high class race. It was his second start of the year and in his other he was third to Willis Sharpe Kilmers Gift Hawk in a fast three-quarters. The improvement shown in the Chesapeake Stakes demonstrated that the son of Ormondale and the Trap Rock mare, Trappoid, is qualified to race a long route and there is bound to come a revision of the opinion on his chances for the Preakness Stakes and the Derby. There was nothing accomplished by Bobashela last year that would give him any real prominence among the best of the two-year-olds, but he is a good colt now and he at least qualified to have a try for the Preakness Stakes. On that showing it is probable a decision will be made as to his keeping the Kentucky Derby engagement. Bobashela was soundly beaten in the running of the Pimlico Futurity last year, in which Reigh Count lost by reason of being fouled by Bateau. But it must be remembered that he was giving away weight to the three placed horses and, in fact, was giving three pounds to Reigh Count himself. As a matter of fact Bobashela only was winner of one race last year and that was by reason of the disqualification of Scotch and Soda, at Laurel last October. That was the OLly reason he did not have a maiden allowance in the running of the Pimlico Futurity. There is little doubt but he is a better colt this year than he was last and he must be seriously considered after his Monday victory. Then A. C. Schwartz Sortie moved up a bit when under 122 pounds he was third in the Chesapeake Stakes. He vas giving Bobashela twelve pounds and that is Bomethfag of a handicap when one weight is 110 and the other 122 pounds. This colt is of the cut of a stayer and he is coming up to the Preakness Stakes favorably. Of course Typhoon, which was second to the B. B. Jones winner, also shouldered 122 pounds, so that any consideration that goes to Sortie must of necessity be shared by the Bedwell hope. But after all is said and done the conviction is just about forced that as far as the new crop of three-year-olds is concerned there is a woeful lack of high class speed. Several of them have been shown and there is nothing approaching formidable demonstration except by Bobashela. But there are many other rumored good ones that are yet to be heard from. They will not have to be the equal of the champions of other years to hold these that have raced perfectly safe. The Maryland Jockey Club has had its big opening at the old Pimlico course and it was an opening on Tuesday that holds out every promise of he most successful meeting ever held over the popular racing ground. The Maryland Jockey Club has done much for racing and breeding in its home state, and it will ever be one of the most popular of all the tracks, not only in Maryland, but everywhere else. There is a charm to the racing there that has a wonderful appeal and the liberal policy of the club has commanded the racing of the best horses in training. Much has been done for the comfort and convenience of the patrons. From time to time there have been additions to the stands, and other accommodations lor the racing crowds, but it has been almost impossible to keep pace with the growth of the sport. As a matter of fact it would fce well if Pimlico, even with its limited area, had greater and more modern stands. The book for the meeting just begun is a wonderfully attractive one and the manner in which the Harford Steeplechase was received on the opening day leaves no doubt of the success that will attend the cross-country sport. Some time ago the Maryland Jockey Club chose "off days" for the running of some of the greatest stake races. It is for that reason that the Dixie Handicap was run Tuesday, the opening day, while Friday, May 11, was chosen for the running of the Preakness Stakes, rather than Saturday, which is the usual feature day of almost every other association. Naturally the reason for choosing "off days" for the big events is for building up that attendance, while the Saturday racing always attracts the half holiday crowd, whether or not a big attraction is offered. There is sound business sense in this, but Colonel Winn, who directs the racing in the Middle West, has another excellent reason for running his Kentucky Derby and other big stake races on Saturday. Colonel Winn argues that many of the racing public only have an opportunity to go to the track on Saturday and he feels that they should be entertained with the best programs possible. There is a good argument in this attitude and undoubtedly the big Saturday programs suit the .greatest number of patrons. For the first time the broadcasting was a part of the Pimlico entertainment. Marylanders know all about the loud speaker and just what it means. It was only after it had been tried out at Aurora and then at both Bowie and Havre de Grace that the Maryland Jockey Club decided to make it a part of their equipment. "Clem" McCarthy, who is the announcer for all the Maryland courses, knows his part well, and knows just what the crowd wants from the loud speaker. He gives a graphic description of the running of each race, keeps the crowd informed on any program changes and altogether makes the announcement board of less importance. All of this means much and there is no disputing the fact that the broadcasting has become thoroughly popular on the Maryland tracks.
