view raw text
SERIOUS TRAINING tCD WORK -a FOR DERBY . DUE - , TO BEGIN Candidates Enter Preliminary Period Where They Qualify or Fail Stagehand Enjoying Well-Earned Rest Fighting Fox Displaying Brilliant Trial Gallops at Aqueduct Menow Encouraging Backers in Kentucky LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 2. Although the five weeks intervening before the sixty-fourth Kentucky Derby will be run here at Churchill Downs on May 7, may pass slowly for turf fans, time is drawing short in the preparation of candidates for that great 0,000 added fixture, and no serious setback can be overcome if they are to reach the post for that mile and a quarter major engagement of their careers. While eager racing enthusiasts have carried off tickets for all Derby Day boxes and reserved seats and, perhaps as many as 100,000 already have made their arrangements to be at Churchill Downs for that occasion, owners and trainers of Derby aspirants are entering the period during which their hopes either f? .Ml T 1 3 TTt -Lt wiu rise or ue crusueu. ror uie thousands who will witness the race, it will simply be a matter of adorning themselves in their finest and heading for Louisville and the Downs, but for the owners and trainers there still is that siege ahead when they will have many a headache and, for some at least, moments of exultation. REMARKABLE SEASON. Let the good and bad luck fall where it may, there is little cause for despair in the camps of the leading Derby horses at this time. In support of this reports from horsemen preparing a candidate or two for the Louisville race are that each and every one of them is satisfied with matters as they now stand. As a inatter of fact, this has been a remarkable season for Derby eligibles up to now. As to Stagehand, the current winter book favorite, the racing world needs no enlight-ment. He is taking a wel.1 earned rest after his amazing triumphs in the 00,000 Santa Anita Handicap and the Santa Anita Derby, and the Maxwell Howard horse, in charge of his blond-thatched trainer, Earl Sande, will be leaving California, Louisville-bound, in a short time. Over at Aqueduct, near New York City, Fighting Fox of that great family of Derby winners and a full brother to Gallant Fox, has held a place in the Derby limelight by displaying some of the fastest private trials to the credit of a classic hopeful so far in advance of the race. Several days ago this son of Sir Gallahad III., owned by William Woodward, demonstrated that he is smartly advanced, though he did not campaign during the winter, when hfi snrinted five furlongs very easily in 1:00. MENOW IMPROVED. In Floridas golden sunshine, H. P. Head-leys Kentucky Derby entry, Menow, winner of the Belmont Futurity, which has never fallen to a destined Derby winner, has been encouraging his connections, and admirers with brilliant workouts, though his stable-mate, Bourbon King, Idst some of his pres- Continued on second page. SERIOUS TRAINING WORK FOR DERBY DDE TO BEGIN f Continued from first page. tige when he was beaten in the Lousiana Derby. In a recent move, Menow, showing no signs of lingering effects from an injury suffered last fall, travelled three-quarters in better than 1:15. Reports concerning three others ranked high but which did not race during the winter are none the less glowing. They are Willis Sharpe Kilmers Nedayr, which spent the off-season in Virginia; Warren Wrights Bull Lea, which has been in Kentucky since his juvenile campaign, and Redbreast, ace of Mrs. Payne Whitneys nominees, which wintered in New Jersey. While some of Bull Leas recent moves were publicly timed, Nedayr and Redbreast are understood to be just as far advanced, lack of time for their workouts notwithstanding. TWO WINTER HEROES. Two winter racing heroes in addition to Stagehand, which continue to command much attention in Kentucky Derby calculations, are Lawrin, which won Hialeahs Flamingo Stakes for Herbert M. Woolf, and A. G. Tarns Wise Fox, winner of the Louisiana Derby. Lawrin is en route from Florida to Churchill Downs, while Wise Fox, returned to Miami after his Louisiana triumph, is due to come along later. Held only in slightly jess regard among the winter raced horses are William duPont, Jr.s Dauber and A. C. Comptons Sun Egret which finished second and third, respective- ly, within a length of Stagehand in the Santa Anita Derby. Back on the Atlantic ceaboard, these horses are awaiting engagements in that section, but almost regardless of how they may fare in these pre-Derby tests, they hardly can be kept out of the Churchill Downs event. Still another group of Derby possibilities are assembled at Oaklawn Park, where some Of them were shown publicly today. Outstanding among the Derby horses at the mid-southern point, where the Arkansas Derby was run today, are Mrs. Ethel V. Mars Tiger and Mountain Ridge, either of which might greatly improve on any performance at this time, and both of which have large follow-ings. CHAPS WINTERS WELL. On down through the Derby parade are Co-Sport, a splendid performer, under the colors of Bert Frend in Florida before his racing edge was dulled; The Chief, a stablemate of Stagehand and a prospect with fine credentials; Alvin Untermeyers Chaps, which distinguished himself last year, and wintered well at Columbia; Emerson F. Woodwards Teddys Comet, which ascended the heights, when he deadheated Tiger in the Arlingtdn Park Futurity; Bohn and Markeys Ben jam, which in his juvenile season, had a good record; Employer, a willing and effective standard-bearer for Mrs. Thelma Ott; Myron . Selznicks Cant Wait, a stakes winner; Gov. j j Chandler, an improving nominee, owned by j j . Joseph C. Metz, and a host of others from which may come a threat or two.
