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PHAR LAP READY FOR AGUA CALIENTE HANDICAP 9 : IMPRESSES OBSERVERS Works One Mile Easily Under Restraint in 1:45. Recent Poor Races of Dr. Freeland Puzzle Horsemen Ervast Is Considered Doubtful Starter. AGUA CALIENTE, Mexico, March 16. Phar Lap, Australias invading champion, received a harder trial today than his trainers generally ask. With the 0,000 Agua Caliente Handicap five days away, the visitor from "Down Under" was asked for a mile gallop. Again it was a move at dawn. At no time free from restraint, with jockey Martin yanking hard on Phar Laps "draw reins which have double leverage, the Australian star went one mile in 1:45. This slow work seemed to satisfy trainer Woodcock. He complimented jockey Martin on following instructions to the letter. Bert Yeoman, chief clocker at Agua Caliente, stated, in his opinion, Phar Lap can run a mile in 1:38 any time they ask it of him. "Phar Lap has sold himself to me," said the clocker. "He will run the one mile next Sunday just as fast as they want him to and the next quarter even faster. I have observed this horse more closely than any horseman on the track. I am fully convinced he is fit as human hands can make a horse. They have brought him to form m a manner foreign to us a departure from our training procedure, but have accomplished the same results that a hard grinding campaign would achieve for an American horse." A prominent San Francisco bookmaker has taken a ,000 straight wager on Phar Lap, the local ring was informed today. Who made it was not disclosed. SETHS HOPE DOUBTFUL. Jim Parsons placed Seths Hope on the doubtful starting list today. Seths Hope worked one mile and a quarter this morning in 2:09. It was not a satisfactory move. After the exhibition Parsons stated: "I am not pleased with Seths Hopes condition. He did not run much the other day Sunday. I have a chance to breeze him again before I will know." If the San Ysidro turfman decides to start Seths Hope he may order a change in riders. Clyde Turk was booked for the mount but Parsons indicated today there will be a different boy astride in the event he goes to the post. Jockey Johnny Longden, who rides Bahamas, informed trainer Bill Hartman today he will make ninety-eight pounds, the colts Agua Caliente Handicap weight. Longden intends to take to the road to reduce his weight His normal riding weight is around 104 pounds. Bahamas went one mile and an eighth today in 1:58, restrained throughout. A large wager appeared for him today at 6 to 1. Jim Best continues to keep the identity of Reveille Boys rider a secret. Four riders have received mention in this connection. They are Sonny Workman, Steve ODonnell, Bobby Jones and R. Wholey. The latter rode him last Sunday. RIDER UNCERTAIN. "I cannot say who will ride him," his owner replied to a point blank query. Joe Flores goes to the post along with Cabezo, according to Lester Lee, his trainer. Joe Flores seemed to benefit from his mile and a quarter workout today. Lee reported he cleaned up his feedbox in a manner that convinced him the colt is now cured of his soreness. J. D. Mikel announced today that Scimw tar, gelded eight-year-old veteran of many races and a Tijuana Cup winner, can be counted upon as a positive starter. Mikel today obtained the services of apprentice Glenn Smith to ride Scimitar. The old plater must carry 100 pounds. Scimitar, while little more than a ,500 plater, has attained such good form that he was able last Sunday to defeat fast sprinters over three-quarters in 1:11. This astonishing race influenced Mikel to chance the 00 starting fee Sunday. Ervast can be taken off the starting list. His three-year-old stablemate Nacho is also considered doubtful. While J. B. McGinn i Continued on tioenty-sccond page. IMPRESSES OBSERVERS Continued from first page. would not reveal his plans regarding Blun- ; dor, it is thought last Sundays effort con- : vinccd the owner that Blunder docs not possess handicap class. ; Dr. Frecland gets a hard trial under colors I tomorrow in. the John J. McGraw Handicap. : Horsemen aro at a loss to account for Dr. . Frcelands two poor races recently. Bonny ; Creech, his owner and trainer, is expected from New Yorlc Thursday to give the final training touches to the Prcakncss victor,
