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GRAND SLAM AND THE FIGHTER DOWNS ARRIVALS INDIAN BROOM ON SCENE Trio of Formidable Derby Eligibles From Separated Points. Grand Slam Arrives From Maryland, The Fighter From Texas, and Indian Broom From Coast. LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 23. While Interest in the Kentucky Derby was kept at high pitch by activities involving candidates for the 0,000 added fixture to be run on May 2, plans were going forward for the opening of Churchill Downs spring meeting of nineteen days here Saturday. Downs officials, working under the personal direction of Col. M. J. Winn, executive director of the track, have just about completed preparations for the opening and meeting, as the arrival of several leading Derby hopefuls and workouts by several others pointing for the race kept enthusiasm in the famous three-year-old fixture at a lofty, if not unprecedented degree ten days in advance of its running. While the Derby hopefuls, Sangreal, Silas and Erin Torch were obtaining valuable preparation on the slow Downs course, such formidable contenders for the blue ribbon event as Grand Slam, Indian Broom and The Fighter arrived from three widely separated points. The arrival of this trio brought to fifteen the number of almost positive Derby contestants at Churchill Downs or Douglas Park. The others are Brevity, Coldstream, Sangreal, He Did, Count Morse, Bien Joli, Banister, Erin Torch, Holl Image, Dnieper, Ttennob and Silas. ERIN TORCH WORKS WELL. After Erin Torch, the nominee of Charles T. Fishers Dixiana Farm, had worked a mile over the dull track in 1:45, which marked one of the outstanding gallops of the morning. Trainer Clyde Van Dusen let it be known that he seriously considers starting the Torchilla gelding in the Clark Handicap on Saturday. "I had not made up my mind about his Derby engagement," said Van Dusen, "but he worked so well this morning that he may have the stuff. At this time we plan to start him Saturday, either with horses of his own age in a condition race or against older company in the Clark." Starting his mile work at the seven-eighths post and never permitted to fully extend himself, Erin Torch negotiated the first quarter in :25, half mile in :51 and three-quarters in 1:18. His trial was the second fastest at the distance recorded during the morning, the older Exponent carrying off mile time honors with a figure of 1:45. In comparison, Whiskolo, a four-year-old and also prepping for the Clark Handicap, worked the same distance in 1:46. As for Mrs. Ethel V. Mars Sangreal and Mrs. Bessie Franzheims Silas, they also drilled well, though their efforts were confined to the shorter route of five furlongs. Like Erin Torch, Sangreal came on the track unaccompanied, and, with Harry Hamilton in the saddle, ran the mentioned distance, starting from the five-eighths post, in 1:02. He was rated along all the way and went the first four furlongs in :49. Breaking from the starting gate and joined by Perdition after the first furlong, Silas made his way over five-eighths in 1:03, the quarter in :24 and the half mile in :49. He was piloted by Willie Garner, who will have the Derby mount on the son of Crucifixion. This Kentucky-owned candidate is a slated starter in the seven-furlong Sophomores Purse, Saturdays semi-feature exclusively for three-year-olds. WESTERN STAR ON HAND. Indian Broom, Maj. Austin C. Taylors sensational winner of the Marchbank Handicap over Top Row, Azucar and others in worlds record time of 1:47 for a mile and a furlong, journeyed from far-off Tanforan, where he gave that superlative performance, Continued on twenty-second paae. GRAND SLAM AND THE FIGHTER DOWNS ARRIVALS Continued from first page. while Bohn and Markeys Grand Slam came from Maryland, and The Fighter, winner last Saturday of the Texas Derby under Mrs. Mars colors, shipped here from Arlington Downs, the scene of that race. Grand Slam, not a newcomer to Churchill Downs, as he won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at that track last fall, is highly rated as a contender for Derby honors. He has made only one start as a three-year-old and in addition to The Jockey Club Stakes, won the Arlington Futurity at Arlington Park, the Prairie State Stakes at Washington Park and the Nursery Stakes at Pimlico last year, when his earnings amounted to 8,095. Jockey J. Bryson, who will ride the Detroit-owned colt in the Derby, and R. E. Potts, trainer of the brilliant son of Chance Play, were reported en route here. The Fighter, another familiar with Churchill Downs, it being there that he inaugurated a successful juvenile campaign, that included victories in the Grand Union Hotel Stakes at Saratoga, the Remsen Handicap at Jamaica and four other successes, was escorted here by a score of others, which, like himself, carried on brilliantly for their Chicago owner in the South. Trainer Robert McGarvey and jockey A. Robertson, who will have the Derby mount on The Fighter, also were reported in. Indian Brooms arrival excited particular interest in that his phenomenal worlds record performance is not taken lightly by horsemen and racing fans capable of fully appreciating the greatness of the feat. Should there develop no bad reaction from the long trip, Indian Broom is certain of a good following for the Derby, though not one of the top choices. He is trained by Darrell Cannon and probably will be ridden by G. Burns. While some of the candidates at Churchill Downs and Douglas Park are expected to start in races Saturday, Monday or Tuesday, the only remaining engagement for eastern hopefuls still on the Atlantic seaboard is the Wood Memorial, to be run at Jamaica Saturday. After that there will be a general exodus of Derby horses from the New York sector heading this way, while word was received today that Gold Seeker, owned by William Dupont, Jr., and the only filly certain to start, probably would be on a car and en route here by the time this is read. According to the message received at the Downs, three stablemates will accompany Gold Seeker to Louisville. This daughter of Messenger entered the Derby picture through a victory over a strong field that included other candidates for the Downs fixture in the Chesapeake Stakes last Saturday. Jack Carter, trainer of William E. Schmidts Arkansas Derby winner, Holl Image, announced today that the son of Hollister will make his first appearance of the season here in a condition race Monday, and that, barring mishaps, the Chicago-owned gelding is a sure entrant for the Derby. In his last start he finished third to The Fighter and Rushaway in the Texas Derby. H. W. Fisher is here to ride the horse in the Derby. The E. R. Bradley Derby combination of Bien Joli and Banister, J. E. Wideners Brevity, winter book choice for the race, and Mrs. Silas B. Masons He Did, which accounted for the Santa Anita Derby, principals in yesterdays Derby training here, all came out of their splendid muddy track trials in fine condition. Trainer Pete Coyne plans to start Brevity in the Sophomores Purse Saturday, while Mrs. P. A. B. Wideners Dnieper, runner-up to Brevity in the Florida Derby, is scheduled to participate in the mile Derby Trial next Tuesday. Judging from stable comments concerning the two Widener horses, their connections are well pleased with them. With a good performance in the trial Dnieper can earn the right to start in the Derby, it was indicated. Warren Wrights Count Morse, a certain starter, and his stable companion, Pharosay, also eligible for the Derby, which arrived yesterday from Calumet Farm, were given long gallops this morning, and trainer B. B. Williams intends to work them Saturday. Millsdale Stables Ttennob, which suffered a minor injury in his final trial for the Texas Derby, from which he subsequently was withdrawn, is believed to have fully recovered from the injury, though not yet a definite Derby starter. He is quartered at Douglas Park, where he has been for two days.
