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LEXINGTON TURF NOTES I 8 and A newcomer to the riding ranks will be introduced to Keeneland racing fans soon after the meeting gets under way in the person of Frank Early, 17-year-old lad hailing "from New Orleans, who is under contract to Leo W. Ulmer. . The youngster has had several years of experience vith horses and according to his mentor, B. B. Rice, trainer of the Ulmer stable, Early possesses all of the requisites of a good prospect. Earlys contract was icquired Tjy Ulmer from Ken Cobb, for whom the Crescent City boy exercised hor es for more than a year. Early reported to Rice at Keeneland soon after the first of the year. Willis Ward, who has been signed to do the riding for the J. B. Respess stable during 1938, except for the period of the River Downs meeting, arrived from his home in Kansas Sunday and reported to trainer Howard Hoffman at Keeneland. Joe Hartwick, who visited in Louisville following the termination of the Hot Springs season, joined the clocking brigade Sunday morning at the Lexington track. Hubert Taylor arrived from his home in Covington, Ky., where he visited with his relatives since the conclusion of the Hialeah Park meeting. Taylor will make the riding engagements of Porter Roberts. Word was received here that C. Hyde Smith, trainer of the Oddesa Farm thoroughbreds, would send the undefeated filly Oddesa Beulah to Keeneland from Churchill Downs to fulfill her engagement in the Lafayette Stakes. Oddesa Beulah scored two victories in Florida and a- double in Hot Springs. Theres an abundancy of riding material-available for the opening of Keeneland on Thursday afternoon for the session of eleven days, which lifts the lid on the 1938 racing season in Kentucky. Reinsmen have been checking in daily at the Lexington track and Charles Gormley, custodian of the jockey quarters, expressed the opinion that the total number of jockeys would exceed fifty by the time the meeting gets under way. However, there is a scarcity of apprentices among the group already on the grounds. Only three apprentices have put in their appearance thus far and the trio includes Bobby Conley, a youngster who graduated from the maiden ranks during the winter in New Orleans, who is attached to the stable of Mrs. A. M. Creech and is regarded as a good prospect by Benny Creech. Another is Delpha Castile whose contract was purchased by Eddie Haughton from J. B. Theall, prior to the close of the Fair Grounds season in New Orleans, where the Louisiana lad experienced his graduation. The remaining member of the "bug" division is J. W. "Red" Wilson, attached to the stable of C. N. Finch. Wilson has had more than a year of experience in the saddle, having ridden his initial winner during the Oak-lawn meeting of 1937. However, nothing is lacking in quality or quantity among the seasoned veterans, the list including such capable booters as: Alfred Robertson, Earl Steffen, Porter Roberts, Bobby Dotter, Irving Anderson, T. P. Martin, Charlie Rollins, Jack Richard, Tyrus Meloche, Charlie Landolt, Herman Schutte, Bobby Hutton, Charlie Stevenson, Arthur Craig, Willis Ward, Charlie Swain, Bill Hanka, Harold West and Earl Pool. Many others are expected from Florida within the next few days and a number are scheduled to come from Louisville by the time that the Keeneland starting time arrives. .- ,
