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t" " - Here and There on the Turf Bull Leas Improvement Distance Running Suits Him Fail to Understand Menow Blue Grass Field to Be Small From what he displayed in his first outing of the season, Bull Lea is a colt which has improved from his first year of campaigning to the second and as. he was very close to being a topnotch juvenile, the son of Bull Dog and Rose Leaves, by Ballot, looks a very good prospect for the big races to come. His performance in running the mile and one-sixteenth in the track record time of 1:44 Thursday, although it was his first start of the year, was just as brilliant as it sounds. He was aided in being able to run the race just to suit him, getting off in front and setting an even, not too fast a pace while hugging the rail, then requiring only a shaking up with the hands to null away in the stretch. Consequently he came out of the race unruffled and without hardly drawing a long breath and undoubtedly ready for his next assignment, even if it is longer and tougher as the Blue Grass Stakes next Thursday promises to be. Bull Lea was unable to win a stake last season, although he was close up in several, apparently lacking the early development of speed the two-year-old champions usually possess. But he performed against the best, placing second to Sky Larking in the Hopeful Stakes, and to Menow in the Champagne, and running third in the Saratoga Special. He was prevented from starting in the Belmont Futurity by a leg injury which gave his connections considerable apprehension during the winter. Had that injury not occurred Bull Lea would have been a Futurity contestant, and, reviewing the result, probably would have been a factor although it is not conceivable that he would have threatened Menow as thj Hal Price Headley colt finished out his worlds record-breaking performance for the six and one-half furlongs. He was developing with training and racing, however, and possibly would have been more at home over the longer distances of the later specials. Taking the rest cure at Calumet Farm during late autumn and early winter, Bull Lea sufficiently recovered from his tendon trouble to permit easy gallops. His tendon continued to strengthen under work and long ago all signs of trouble disappeared. With a good foundation of galloping in his training, Bull Lea began his speed work with the early return of trainer Frank Kearns from Florida and progressed steadily without a single mishap, although the condition of the track was not always just what, was .desired. That he was ready when asked for a competitive effort has been shown to the satisfaction of his admirers, who include a majority of the folks of the Blue Grass.: ;Many of them he reminds of Bull Dog over his Derby preparation over the old Kentucky Association track. The Blue Grass hasnt had a Derby winner since 1933, when Brokers Tip scored the lone victory of his career, -and is looking forward to this years renewal with keen anticipation. As Bull Leas performance impressed, that of Menow in their meeting Thursday disappointed. Although he was unfortunate to be caught, unprepared at the start, costing a couple of lengths, and then race.d wide on the turns, Menow failed to uncover any sort of a challenge when called upon. If he had done so while still suffering defeat his connections would not be so disappointed. Owner H. P. Headley and trainer D. A. Head-ley are combining their wits to figure out the reasons behind it all, in addition to the fact that Bull Lea ran a whole lot better than they expected. Menow will be given another chance in the Blue Grass Stakes, and if he does no better in that mile and one furlong event, his declaration from the Derby may be expected, because the Head-leys do not intend to ask him to try for something beyond his capacity. Only a small field will compete for the Blue Grass Stakes and Bull Lea undoubtedly will rule a short-priced favorite. Headley may also start Dah He, as that long-legged colt should improve over his recent race, even though it was overshadowed by that of Bull Lea Or Menow. Earl Sande is preparing The Chief for the Blue Grass, but as the son of Pennant and Transit will be making his first start of the year little is known of his ability in comparison with that shown by the Keeneland colts. Another likely starter is Kings Heir, but the Dixiana colt will have to improve sharply over his form to be troublesome. Greentree Stable has Redbreast and Wood Song eligible to the ,000 added event, and there is a strong possibility that William Brennan will ship one of them from Belmont Park for the engagement. Both have been to the races and will be seasoned enough.
