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HEAD PLAY QUALIFIES • Outstanding Western Derby Hope Wins Preparation Purse. ♦ Isaiah and Charley 0. Finish Second and Third Respectively — Fortunate Youth Scores. — « LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 2.— This was final qualifying day for a number of the western candidates for Saturdays fifty-ninth annual running of the 0,000 added Kentucky Derby and, despite cool and threatening weather, a large crowd was at Churchill Downs to witness the classic semi-final performances of Mrs. William Crumps Head Play, the R. M. Eastman estates Charley O. and other Derby eligibles in the mile of the Preparation Purse. Heavy showers during the night left the track slow and somewhat holding and, while this prevented an accurate line on fast track capabilities of the candidates, it afforded a true gauge of their ability under such conditions, often confronted by Derby fields. As the crowd had hoped, Head Play, the fine son of My Play and Red Head, was returned a decisive and very impressive winner of the Preparation Purse. Like a real good colt, he charged to the lead when permitted after reaching the stretch, or final quarter of the mile, and, after getting to the front, came away with consummate ease, winning by two lengths from J. W. Parrishs Isaiah, which in turn outstayed Charley O. by a like margin. The latter, last out of the starting stalls, came through brilliantly and in the final run appeared as strong as the winner. At Top, from the Shandon Farm and the only filly in the field of ten, was fourth, beaten five lengths by Charley O. and with only a head over Boilermaker, which assisted Fingal in carrying Col. E. R. Bradleys colors. Continued on twenty-second page. ; [ f * . ; " m | r * l , | I 1 e 5 . * g y. ; jl HEAD PLAY QUALIFIES Continued from first page. Although the efforts of Head Play and Charley O. were the most striking, Isaiah was the big surprise of the race, and as a result of his fine performance is an almost certain starter Saturday. For almost five-eighths he crowded Boilermaker in the pace-making, then shot to the front and, though failing to withstand Head Play, his speed gives him better than an outside chance to upset calculations in the classic. Boilermaker, Fingal, Warren Jr. and. In fact, all back of the three leaders, dropped from Derby consideration following the race. The running was entirely devoid of crowding and, while Head Play and Charley O. lost a great deal of ground, their riders performed to avoid any hazardous chance which might result in injury to their mounts. Isaiah saved ground the entire distance. The winner traversed the distance in 1:39%, a fine run on the dull track. He carried 115 pounds and was ridden by H. W. Fisher, and Charley O., handled by C. Cor-bett, had up a like weight. Isaiah carried two pounds less. Head Play dominated the betting, closing at little better than even money, and Charlie O. was second choice over the Bradley entry. Derby visitors were quite numerous in the fine crowd and the large increase in local patronage reflected the great interest in Saturdays race. . Captain Red, frequently mentioned in Derby talk during the past weeks, fell by the wayside when he failed badly in a test with older company and at six and one-half furlongs in the National Battery Manufacturers Purse, which preceded the feature. This resulted in a clean sweep of honors by the older participants, the winner turning up in Fortunate Youth, which races for S. S. Friedlein, while Habanero garnered the second award and Portcodine was third. Flying Cadet, also named for the Derby, made the most impressive showing of the four three-year-olds among the eight contestants, and finished fourth, a nose back of the badly beaten Portcodine. Captain Red at no time loomed a serious threat and, after failing to closely approach the early leaders, fell back badly in the stretch run. The Calumet Farms Hug Again offended badly in the four and "one-half furlongs Blossom Time Purse, for two-year-old fillies, when she failed to gain a place among the final leaders. Fire Mask, carrying E. D. Shaffers silks, was the winner and she gained the victory easily, with Brilliant Rose second, two lengths back and a head before Miss Flip. The leaders had too much speed for Hug Again and she was under severe pressure to hold fifth place throughout. The eight-year-old Cayuga lost a tough race when Gettin Even, which came through along the rail when closing with a rush, beat him by a nose for the honors in the first race, at three-quarters. Old Cayuga bore out badly in the stretch, and it cost him the race, as Gettin Even could not have raced around the veteran and Green Wave, which Cayuga took out with him, and closed the necessary ground to earn the decision. Cayuga made all the pace and, after racing Doris Jean into defeat, gamely held a short margin over Green Wave in the long final drive during which the winner charged through next to the rail. Uncle Matt, which ran out badly at the stretch turn, showed a winning performance, while Running Wa-, ter, favorite, went down without apparent mishap. Field players visited the cashiers for the first time during the meeting when A. Dei- trichs I Prevail accounted for the Crest- wood Purse or second race for maiden two- year-old colts and geldings. Twelve started and in addition to the winner field tickets also covered Fair Grade and Blind Brook, neither of which was in the money, second going to Hoosiers Pride, while King Cicero was third. The winner, ridden by W. D. Wright, made his own pace and, while he faltered after reaching the final sixteenth some three lengths before Hoosiers Pride, lasted to score bv half that margin. Hoosiers Pride and King Cicero were only a head and nose in the van of Legality at the finish. Interfer- ence shortly after the start had much to do with Naval Cadets failure to prove a con- tender and, despite his failure to gain a place among the leaders, Spartan Lad, favor-5 ite, came through in likely fashion when he was just a head back of Legality. Smear, Mad Hatter gelding owned by C. V. Whitney, scored a lucky win over Billies Orphan in the third race, at six furlongs, for which the victorious five-year-old had the most backing. As in the opening race, the winner made his way through next to the rail when offering his challenge and, heading Billies Orphan, Smear got away with the honors by a neck. Third fell to Abe Furst, and Kuvera was next. Eight started, and Black Comet, which weakened after reaching the stretch in nearest pursuit of the leading Billies Orphan, was second choice. G. Elston rode the winner. The chief executives of Chicago and New York will be among the Derby visitors. Mayor Edward Kelley, of Chicago, and his party arrive Saturday morning and Mayor OBrien, of New York, is expected Friday. John F. Curry, Tammany leader, and others also arrive Friday. A
