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SEVENTEEN PROBABLE STARTERS IN THE DERBY f • CONDITION OF TRACK « Will Prove Deciding Factor in Actual Number of Contestants. i Brevity Still Rules the Favorite — . Indian Broom Held in Respect — i Grand Slam Disappoints. ♦ LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 29.— Seventeen starters in the sixty-second renewal of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday were indicated today as qualifying tests and training preparations were virtually completed by the various candidates. The size of the starting field for the 0,000 event that has stirred up more interest than any previous running of Americas most popular horse race, will be finally determined by the condition of the track. The Wood Memorial Stakes at Jamaica, Chesapeake Stakes at Havre de Grace, Texas Derby at Arlington Downs and two preparatory events here all have been run, but their results, as well as the promise shown by other candidates in their training, have failed to budge Joseph E. Wideners Brevity as the favorite, the position he has held since his sensational victory in the Florida Derby, except for a few days when he was supplanted by Hollyrood. Regarded today as the principal opponents of the son of Sickle and Ormonda, defeated only once in the six times he has entered competition, are the Wheatley Stables Teu-fel, Belair Studs Granville, Milky Way Farms The Fighter and Sangreal, Mrs. Silas B. Masons He Did, Bomar Stables Grand Slam, Coldstream Studs Coldstream, E. R. Bradleys Bien Joli, Morton L. Schwartz Bold Venture and A. C. T. Stock Farms Indian Broom and Foxcatcher Farms Gold Seeker. FAIL TO IMPRESS. Likely starters failing to impress discriminating observers are Bradleys Banister, Bomars Forest Play, Belairs Merry Pete, Superior Stables Holl Image, Calumet Fa-ms Count Morse, Mrs. Bessie Franz-heims Silas and Mrs. P. A. B. Wideners Dnieper. The latter is regarded as a very doubtful starter. Condition of the Downs track Saturday appeared uncertain today as clouds hung low over this vicinity and light showers fell at intervals, but superintendent Thomas Young promised good footing if given two days after a drenching. A muddy or slow track is expected to increase the chances of Grand Slam while making his stablemate. Forest Play, a very unlikely starter. The Fighter is not expected to accept in the event of muddy going, but his companion Sangreal will likely start regardless of the track condition. Merry Pete, which came here with Granville and Teufel, is also reported to be a better performer in muddy or slow going. Trainer D. E. Stewart stated today that Dnieper could not be regarded as a sure starter and his position probably would not be determined until the arrival of Mrs. Widener from Lexington on Derby day, so his name is expected to be sent through the entry box. The running of the Trial Purse yesterday failed to increase the followings of any of the candidates which participated in the mile event. Of considerable surprise was the failure of Grand Slam to achieve victory after he had moved into a clear lead in the s retch. He tired in the final eighth and both He Did and Sangreal overtook him, although they defeated him by narrow margins only. NEEDS STRONGER RIDER. Because of Grand Slams failure to make an impressive showing in the Trial Purse, trainer R. E. Potts and owners Charles Bonn and P. A. Markey decided to obtain the services of a stronger rider than their contract jockey, James Bryson. They immediately communicated with Maj. L. A. Beard manager of the Whitney breeding and racing interests in an effort to secure Raymond Workman and if the Washington veteran was not available to get Silvio Coucci. With another rider on Grand Slam, Bryson will be made available to guide Forest Play. Dan Brammer had been engaged for that colt but he may not be in a position Continued on twenty-sixth page.. SEVENTEEN PROBABLE STARTERS IN THE DERBY Continued from first page. to handle Sangreal if the Milky Way Farm is represented by both of its colts. Until the arrival of James Fkzsimmons tomorrow the status of Merry Pete and his rider will not be known. Eddie Litzenberger and Jimmy Stout are coming from New York to ride Teufel and Granville respectively. Because of his sensational workout yesterday morning in which he went the mile in 1:38%, Indian Broom has gained the respect of connections of the other Derby candidates. Very few Derby hopefuls in other years displayed as much speed in a workout as the West Coast sensation, which was shipped here from Tanforan after he had lowered the world record for the mile and a furlong to 1:47%. Indian Broom slowed up considerably in the final quarter which he negotiated in :27, but this was not surprising, considering that he went the first six furlongs in 1:11%. In his winning races in California, Maj. Austin C. Taylors colorbearer both set the pace and came from behind. Pending the arrival of R. E. Handlen, trainer of the Foxcatcher Farms Stable, the status of Gold Seeker remains in doubt. The Chesapeake Stakes winner has not been asked for speed since her arrival from Havre de Grace Monday, although she has been galloped daily but she may be given an ! easy trial tomorrow. As the daughter of Messenger raced at Santa Anita, she needs but little to be ready for the Derby. She is also an eligible for the Kentucky Oaks and is expected to be here for that event.
