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Here and There on the Turf Derby Hopes to Run Soon Keeneland Offers Chances Havre Should Surpass Bowie Jamaica Opening Awaited j Keeneland opens its spring meeting of eleven days tomorrow, and with it will come more definite information on the status of several outstanding Kentucky Derby candidates, because at least two well-known colts are expected in competition before the week is out. They are Hal Price Headley"s Menow and Calumet Farms Bull Lea, both of which have trained in a fashion indicating approaching fitness. That Keeneland wishes to give three-year-olds every opportunity to gain competitive seasoning is shown in its condition book, which includes a mile and one-sixteenth race on opening day and a six furlongs dash Friday. Both colts seem to have done enough to run well in either of the two races, but the intentions of their connections are unknown to us. Dickerville, Congresman, Ball-O-Fire and Sir Ally are other Derby eligibles trained at Keeneland which may be considered possible starters in the two events. Numerous other races for the better three-year-olds are scheduled for Keeneland next week, and thereafter leading up to the ,000 added Blue Grass Stakes on Thursday, April 28, the final day of the meeting. Only a small field may be expected for the Blue Grass, as just thirteen three-year-olds are eligibles, but the race probably will produce an outstanding Derby candidate, as it frequently did when featuring the spring meetings at the old Kentucky Association track. Eligibles in addition to Bull Lea and Menow include Dah He, Kings Heir, Redbreast, The Chief and Congressman. Earl Sande has promised to ship The Chief from Churchill Downs for the race if the former Whitney colt trains well in the hope of duplicating the victory scored by Maxwell Howards Fencing in the event last spring. Redbreast is in New York, but Mrs. Payne Whitney will not be adverse to sending him out for the engagement if all goes well with him. Keeneland isnt the only track swinging into action this week, as Havre de Grace opens Friday and Jamaica inaugurates the New York season Saturday. Both these tracks have important races for three-year- J olds as their most important features, Havre de Grace offering the Chesapeake Stakes and Jamaica the Wood Memorial. Leading eastern Derby hopefuls have the chance of participating in both these events, as the Wood Memorial, which has 0,000 in added money, follows the 5,000 Chesapeake by a week, the Havre de Grace attraction being set for April 23. With these two races in the east, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, and the Derby Trial at Churchill on Tuesday, the Kentucky Derby field should be so well established that the public and owners alike will be able to determine which I horses deserve a try for the classic and those that do not. Inclement weather has done its part to detract from the Bowie meeting, but the association will net a profit just the same, so Havre de Grace should at least do as well. It certainly will if the skies are bright during the best part of the meeting, especially on the days when the Chesapeake Stakes, Harford and Philadelphia Handicaps are offered. These attractions have been increased in value and the distribution otherwise has been raised so general manager Edward Burke naturally hopes his judgment will be vindicated. Have de Grace certainly can depend upon an ample supply of racing material, including many capable horses which have not been sseen at Bowie because they were not sent along in their training to be in readiness so early in the season. Still other horses were shipped there directly from the winter racing points. Jamaica seldom has failed to have enough horses for its meetings because to many owners and trainers New York is the only place to race, and they cant get there quickly enough, if the meeting is about to open. Some of the stables at Bowie are there only to break the trip from the South and they will be on hand at the Long Island course Saturday to clash with the horses out of winter training quarters. The Paumonok Handicap, New Yorks traditional opening day feature, again will headline the Jamaica inaugural program, and as usual should be productive of a good race, but the most interest will be displayed in the Wood Memorial, because of its importance in the three-year-old picture. Right now its outstanding candidate is Fighting Fox, which James Fitzsimmons undoubtedly will have under silks in an overnight race for tightening purposes just as he did with Gallant Fox and Omaha. Both horses went on from the Wood to win the Derby, although Omaha had to be satisfied with third honors in the mile and seventy yards affair.
