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RECORD FIELD PROBABLE FOR KENTUCKY DERBY - a 26 CERTAIN STARTERS Others May Earn Right to Compete by Good Races. Gold Seeker, Foxcatcher Farm Filly, Latest Threat to Develop in Competition With Colts. LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 20 Though the wheel of fortune determining the status oi candidates relative to their starting in the time-honored and much coveted Kentucky Derby, to be run at Churchill Downs here one week from Saturday, still spins, prospects of a bumper field, possibly a record one, for the 0,000 race still prevail. With only a few eligibles, none of them strongly considered, dropping by the wayside during the past week, the probable field at this time still includes the names of twenty-six as almost certain starters with another contes- tant or two likely to emerge from among the remaining nominees. While several candidates emphasized their prowess by fine performances under colors within the past few days, general opinion that the Derby is an open race, remains unchanged. A factor in sustaining this contention is the failure of recent races and training to reduce appreciably the number of starters for the mile and a quarter race. While events of the past few days indicate the elimination of several, which had been considered prospective contestants, one race, the Chesapeake Stakes, decided at Havre de Grace last Saturday, developed a new threat in the filly Gold Seeker, owned by William DuPont, Jr. In winning that race over a field that included eight other Derby eligibles, the DuPont filly jumped from virtual obscurity to consideration as a very potent Derby bidder. Up until she demonstrated her ability to successfully compete with the best colts and geldings, no filly was regarded as having more than a remote chance to reach the Derby post. AFTER REGRETS LAURELS. In qualifying she inserts possibly the most interesting angle into the Derby picture. That is, will the feat of Regret, the only filly to win the Downs classic, ever be duplicated? Regret won it in 1915 and prior and after that time many fillies have tried and failed. Three others to further distinguish themselves while on public exhibition last week were Mrs. F. C. Mars The Fighter, M. L. Schwartz Bold Venture and Marshall Fields Tintagel, and while they were winning in impressive fashion others competing with them displayed enough to remain in the group of probable starters. Climaxing a brilliant winter campaign, The Fighter swept to victory in the Texas Derby at Arlington Downs Saturday. On the same day, Tintagel scored his first three-year-old triumph in the Merrick Purse at Jamaica, where on Friday Bold Venture looked mighty good winning the South Shore Purse. While these winners and some of their company in those races encouraged their admirers by good performances "under fire," other hopefuls were flattering their followers by smart private trials. Here at the Derby course the winter book favorite, Brevity, which won the Florida Derby for Joseph E. Widener, did nothing to cause his stock to slump, while at the same time Coldstream, owned by C. B. Shaffer, one of the most formidable Western hopes, stamped himself a dangerous candidate through an impressive bit of running in his first serious workout as a three-year-old on the course where the Derby will be run. ALREADY ON SCENE. Other probable starters already at the scene include Mrs. Silas B. Masons He Did, winner of the Santa Anita Derby, C. T. Fishers Erin Torch, Mrs. Bessie Franz-heims Silas, Mrs. P. A. B. Wideners Dnieper and E. R. Bradleys doublebarreled bid for victory in the race which ho has won four times Bien Joli and Banister. En route here or expected within the next forty-eight hours is the latest California sensation, Major A. C. Taylors Indian Broom, conqueror of Top Row in worlds record time, and The Fighter, along with his running mate, Sangreal. Count Morse, holding the Continued on twenty-fourth vaae. RECORD FIELD PROBABLE FOR KENTUCKY DERBY Continued from first page. hopes of Warren Wright, and at present at the patrons Calumet Farm, is another anticipated arrival within a few days. In addition to those already named having the right to be ranked as almost certain to accept the issue here on May 2 are H. P. Headleys Hollyrood, Bohn and Markeys Grand Slam, William Woodwards Granville, Willis Sharpe Kilmers Ned Reigh; Mrs. H. C. Phipps Teufel and Seabiscuit; C. V. Whitneys Bright Plumage; Mrs. Payne Whitneys Memory Book and Brushhook, Mrs. Isabel Dodge Sloanes Delphinium and Emerich and Pelleteris Ttennob. Five others from which may come a starter or two but just now listed as doubtful are William E. Schmidts Holl Image, A. G. Vanderbilts Postage" Due, P. A. and J. A. Nashs Bright Light; Ogden Phipps White Cockade and Snark, also owned by Mrs. Phipps. In the case of of the latter he may be substituted for Seabiscuit, according to advices from the East. Prospects for a great race engaging one of the largest, if not a record field, are known to racing fans throughout the country and indications point to the biggest crowd ever to witness the running of this race, which holds the turfs attendance record. In preparing for a record crowd the management has made lavish expenditures in an effort to meet the demand. Weeks ago the last reservations -were disposed of and the management now is rearranging and enlarging the plant, so as to take care of many thousands more over previous years in both the clubhouse and general admission enclosures. Improvements being made will cost approximately 50,000.
