view raw text
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ------------- -1 Here and There on the Turf Derby Field Takes Truer Shape j Wood Eliminates Several Hopes I Downs Races Recommend Four J Colts I Bold Venture Passes Up Wood j A semblance of order in the group of probable starters in the Kentucky Derby resulted from Saturdays racing at Jamaica and Churchill Downs, as has been expected. The Wood Memorial Stakes convinced the connections of several colts that they lacked sufficient ability at this time to be sent to Louisville, and at the same time it demonstrated that James Fitzsimmons has an excellent chance of saddling his third Derby winner. Except H. J. Thompson, who has sent out four colts to capture the classic, and Ed Brown, Fitzsimmons is the only trainer with more than one victory to his credit. In Teufel, an improving son of Dia-volo and Virginia L., by McGee, and Granville, son of Gallant Fox and Gravita, by Sarmation, the Aqueduct trainer has developed an entry that will vie with Brevity for favoritism this coming Saturday. Finishing inches apart at the end of the Wood, Teufel and Granville easily took the measure of the Other starters and caused the handlers of Delphinium, Bright Plumage, Tintagel and Hollyrood to doubt the wisdom of sending them in the Derby. Teufel and Granville were impressive in the Jamaica feature, as they reached the wire six lengths ahead of Delphinium. Being a maiden, the former colt was in receipt of five pounds from the other starters, but with the exception of Granville he gave each a much worse beating. Because of the manner in which he came from behind to nose out his running mate, Teufel is being regarded by some observers as possessing a better chance than the Belair Stud colt over the mile and a quarter distance of their next engagement. He is a half brother to Single Foot and Canter and is bred for distance running, that being the long suit of his sire, the up and coming Diavolo. Although unable to graduate last year, he all but beat The Fighter in the Babylon Handicap at Jamaica, after having made up eight lengths in the stretch. In his only other start this spring, the Wheatley Stable colt showed an even effort in the Chesapeake Stakes, upon which he has improved considerably. Fourteen Derby eligibles were under colors In the Sophomores Purse and Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Saturday and only four of them came through performances entitling them to any consideration in the """calculations of the classic. Brevity gave a splendid exhibition of how a favorite should run in winning the Sophomores Purse, a dash of seven furlongs. The J. E. Widener colt outgamed Sangreal in a fast pace to draw away to a comfortable margin in the final furlong. Bien Joli and Banister, which will comprise the E. R. Bradley entry, displayed efforts that suggest improvement, the former being close to the pace under restraint and responding willingly through the .Continued on nineteenth vaae.. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. very fit horse in the Derby. The Clark definitely eliminated Erin Torch as a Derby prospect and put him in the sprinters class. Max Hirsch decided against qualifying Bold Venture for the Derby in the Wood Memorial and sent Morton L. Schwartz colt on to Churchill Downs so as to give him that much more time in which to get over the train ride. The son of St. Germans gained many admirers in his lone start at Jamaica and he may not be without them Saturday, although a comparison of his ability with the other candidates is difficult to make. Tintagel again looked like a sprinter in the Wood and he probably will be sharpened up for the Toboggan Handicap, opening days feature at Belmont Park. It is over the straight course which Marshall Fields colt likes very much. Hollyrood ran in the Wood as if something was hurting him, as he quit badly in the stretch and thats not his way of doing things. Delphinium proved to trainer Robert A. Smith that extending his speed beyond a mile is above his capabilities and he has dismissed the Derby from his mind. Bright Plumage was another shown by the Wood to be not quite good enough. This elimination process, which reached its most important stages last week end, leaves about fifteen likely starters in the Derby. final quarter. Banister was well back until reaching the stretch, but made up ground very quickly thereafter and should be suited by the Derby distance. Both of the Bradley hopes were worked out, Bien Joli going a mile and Banister a mile and a furlong. None of the other prospects in the Sophomores field looked like Derby horses, Sang-real cracking under the hot pace and He Did tired, while Wise Duke and Silas were unable to improve their positions. Boston Pal pulled up sore. In the Clark Handicap, Coldstream ran courageously in giving away weight on the scale to all his opponents as he shouldered 109 pounds. Taking the lead in the run to the first turn, the Bull Dog colt fought off challenges from Likewise, Erin Torch and then Ariel Cross to eventually tire, permitting the latter colt to beat him out and Corinto to run by him for victory. But under scale weight Coldstream ran the mile in 1:38, which is creditable at Churchill Downs this season. That effort should do him much good and he promises to be a
