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RAIN AT LOUISVILLE TRACKS Weather Halts Training Operations at Churchill and Douglas Park. Boston Pals Mile in 1:41 on Wednesday Creates Much Discussion Among the Horsemen. LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 9. The weather man put a decided damper on the activities of Kentucky Derby candidates at Churchill Downs and at Douglas Park this morinng, and even the few who braved the elements for a view of J. E. Wideners Brevity, current choice for the event which will be run May 2, were denied that privilege. An all-day rain which began long before dawn made the track at the Downs sloppy and hazardous, and adding to the general discomfort was a drop in temperature. There was little hope today that the track would be in much better condition tomorrow, further curtailing the efforts of horsemen to put their charges through their training paces. A few horses were on the track this morning, but none of them was asked to display much and this was particularly true of the two Derby eligibles which did make their appearances. The two nominees for the 0,000 added fixture to gallop through the footing were Mrs. Bessie Franzheims Silas and James F. ONeils Judge Kavanagh, although the lat-ters effort was confined to an easy three-eighths. Silas went a mile in 1:45, handily, going the first quarter in :25, the half mile in :51 and the three-quarters in 1:18. Perdition joined his stablemate the last three furlongs, which he negotiated in :39. Judge Kavanagh did his three-eighths in :40, breezing. Late yesterday afternoon at Douglas Park, after the track had thawed sufficiently from the morning freeze, O. F. Woodwards Zsar, a Derby hope, went a handy mile in 1:44. His first quarter was negotiated in :252s, the half in :51 and six furlongs in 1:16. Brevitys activities were confined to the sheltered seclusion of his barn, where he and Dnieper, owned by Mrs. P. A. B. Widener and also a Derby horse, were given such exercise as that enclosure permits. Trainer Pete Coyne had hoped to have Brevity on the track this morning for his first exercise since arriving here Wednesday, but when there was no let up in the rain he decided to take no chances. In Coynes case, however, he is in the enviable position of having a horse already fit, while trainers of Derby horses which came out of winter quarters to prepare for the Continued on ninth page. , ! l i r r - i i t RAIN AT LOUISVILLE TRACKS Continued from first page. race are facing, a problem exceedingly difficult. Although the arrival yesterday of Brevity overshadowed other Derby news at the Downs, horsemen and those interested in the progress of candidates for that classic today were reflecting on the near sensational workout Wednesday of C. R. Thompsons Boston Pal. This son of Bostonian and Lady Supreme went a handy mile in 1:41, a move that was particularly noteworthy because of the fine manner in which he ac-. complished the feat. The trial also showed how far advanced the colt is in his spring preparation, for no other Derby eligible has even approached this figure for the eight furlongs since the weather permitted the conditioning of horses. Not taken too seriously as a Derby threat until his fine exhibition yesterday, horsemen today were looking into the records to see just what chance his 1935 form gives him. Boston Pal started seventeen times last year and scored four victories, although it might be more significant to state that he finished out of the money only twice in those seventeen efforts. He was second six times and third on five occasions. Standing out boldly in his record is Boston Pals third to Grand Slam and Hollyrood in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs last fall. Red Rain was fourth in that race which was run in sloppy going. Both Grand Slam and Hollyrood are considered strong Derby candidates and in the Jockey Club Stakes Boston Pal was in the thick of the fight all the way. Showing that he has speed, the "dope" shows he won a race at three-quarters at Coney Island in 1:11 and three days later came back to win at a mile and seventy yards in 1:42, no world marks but worthy of attention. Boston Pals stock may drop when some of the more highly regarded eligibles arrive on the scene or display higher speed, but until they do the son of Bostonian will not be overlooked. Meanwhile track superintendent Tom Young reports that the stabling problem both at the Downs and at Douglas Park is becoming more acute hourly. Shipments continue to arrive from Florida and from farms in the Blue Grass section of Kentucky and with many more expected before the meeting opens on April 25, Young fears he will not be able to accommodate all of them inside the two enclosures. Those whose early reservations were granted, of course, will be given preference, Young said, but he still would like to take care of all who wish to race at the Downs which bids fair to. enjoy its finest meeting since the days of opulent prosperity. To be sure that the plant will be in ship- shape order, workmen are toiling diligently, painting, remodeling, redecorating and land- scaping. In some disarray now, Col. M. J. Winn, executive director of Churchill Downs, promises all work will be completed by open- ing day and he promises further that pa- trons will hardly recognize the plant with its many new features. The demand for Derby boxes continues to deluge the general offices and there is little doubt that on the day of the big race the Downs will be host to the largest gathering in its history. Jimmy King, who had trouble during the winter getting himself down to riding weight, has reduced to 109 pounds and may be seen in the saddle on opening day here. He will do much of the riding for the Dene- mark stable with which he is associated. Several cars of horses from Miami and consigned to Douglas Park were due to ar-i rive some time Thursday, and provisions have been made for their stabling.
