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SPANISH PLAY IN THE FAR WEST Reaches Mexican Track Without Mishap and Is Reported Ready for Engagement I in Agua Caliente Handicap 9 AGUA CALIENTE, Mexico, March 15. Spanish Play, the crack four-year-old son of Spanish Prince H., is ready for the Agua Caliente Handicap. The sterling handicap horse arrived safe and sound this morning after a fast trip from New Orleans and will be rested today preparatory to being given his first exercise over Mexican soil on Wednesday. Owner Pat Knebelkamp, and trainer Charlie Gross, who accompanied the animal, report that he was never better and expressed themselves as confident that he would carry off the 0,000 prize next Sunday. Jockey Charlie Landolt, who has ridden Spanish Play in most of his major engagements, also made the trip and will have the leg up on the gelding in the big race. The safe arrival of the invader created some action for him in the future book ring and was responsible for his price being lowered from 3 to 1 to 2 to 1. He and Cabezo, winner of the Walter P. Montague Memorial on Sunday, are now split choices for the race. They are each 2 to 1 to win, even money to place and 1 to 2 show. Interest in the race is growing by leaps and bounds as the contest looms up as the most open "Caliente" ever held. In 1930 Victorian was a steady favorite from the time the future book opened until its close and won the race, while Sun Beau, which was doomed to disappointment, was the choice all through the early betting for the 1931 running. This season no less than five horses have held the position of favoritism at one time or another. Phar Lap was the first to be installed choice. He was replaced in the honored position after a remarkable trial by Dr. Freeland, then Joe Flores, a sensation early in the year, was placed at the head of the field only to be supplanted by Dr. Freeland again quite recently. Cabezo, after his race on Sunday, was awarded the position of honor by Zeke Caress and now Spanish Play is equal favorite with the Anderson three-year-old. As the prices on the former favorites now stand, Phar Lap is 3 to 1 and Joe Flores and Dr. Freeland 6 to 1. Reveille Boy has been fairly steady at 4 to 1, while Marine was boosted from 6 to 8 to 1 this morning. Possible starters after the result of Sundays races are Scimitar, Nacho and Whipper Cracker. They were heretofore regarded as but having little chance, but it is thought that their owners may send them to the post. Bill Hartman, owner of the Oak Tree Stable and one of the most successful of the Agua Caliente trainers, will positively send Bahamas postward and furthermore is of the opinion that the consistent three-year-old will win the stake. Bahamas can run equally as well over a wet or dry track and will have in jockey Longden a greatly improved pilot. Bahamas is 6 to 1 in the future book. Joe Flores was on the track this morning and worked the full mile and a quarter distance, but his effort did not seem to impress the dockers. His time for the distance over a slow track was 2:15. As the track was rendered soft by rain last night he was the only Caliente candidate to work, although Phar Lap was out for his customary morning gallop. v
