view raw text
r-- , ..................... Here and There on the Turf Bull Lea Should Like Hialeah j Bull Dogs Get Partial to Track I ! Conquer Fond of Bowie Going j ; American Derby to Be Revived j 4 Behind the decision to send Bull Lea to Hialeah Park for a shot at the 0,000 Widener Challenge Cup is the time-worn but nevertheless frequently true adage of horses for courses. Bull Lea is a son of Bull Dog and sons and daughters of the smoothly made son of Teddy and Plucky Liege, by Spearmint, whose get generally are of the same type as himself, have been unusually successful at Hialeah, as they have been at Arlington Park. Representatives of the Coldstream Studs fine stallion have been able to do things at Hialeah and Arlington that were beyond them at other tracks, and Bull Leas finest effort during the past season probably was at the Chicago track, even though it was not productive of victory. It was in the Classic, Bull Lea finishing second after going into command in the mile and one-quarter event turning for home. As the going was way off, that might have made a difference. Bull Leas general record as a three-year-old indicated that he wasnt a true stayer such as are regarded in this country, although he was a hard fellow to knock over going nine furlongs. But he showed no disposition to stop in the Classic, over a course where Bull Dogs get always have done well another, St. Bernard, likewise having finished a good second in the Classic to Omaha. Perhaps ten furlongs over the Haleah course may seem the same as nine to Bull Lea as it almost did to Finance, another son of the Coldstream stallion, in the 1937 Wide-ner, in which he was barely beaten out by Columbiana in track record time after going to the front in the stretch. Finance, however, at no time in his career, came within ten pounds of Warren Wrights colorbearer, considered in some quarters as the best of Bull Dogs get to date. The winter program mapped out for Bull Lea is very similar to that indicated for War Admiral. His objective is the Widener, but Frank Kearns intends to give him one outing before the mile and one-quarter event, scheduled for the first Saturday in March. These plans naturally are subject to change, and trainer Frank Kearns may deem it feasible to give his star protege a second competitive warm-up before the piece-de-resistance. A winter campaign for Bull Lea had not been expected, but the colt had not been overly campaigned as a three-year-old, having been given a let-up following his strenuous Kentucky Derby preparation, and he returned to form in such splendid condition and spirit that it was decided to place him at the head of Calumet Farms winter band. Remembering that sons and daughters of Bull Dog have done so well at Hialeah, perhaps it will be well to tag his chances in the Widener Challenge Cup. Conquer, choice of handicapper John B. j Campbell in that he was at the top of the starting field with an impost of 122 pounds as well as the favorite with Bowies Thanksgiving Day crowd, won the Thomas K. Lynch Memorial. One reason he captured the mile and one-sixteenth event named for the late correspondent and chartmaker for Daily Racing Form was because of his fondness - for the Bowie track, whose going is not productive of extreme speed, although safe at all times but putting faint-hearted horses Continued on twenty-third page. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. at a disadvantage. Conquers triumph in the Lynch came after his dead heat with the improved Honey Cloud in the Prince George Autumn Handicap after he had been a fast closing fourth in the James Rowe Memorial at six furlongs to the same horse. Previously Mrs. Louise Viaus five-year-old gelding by Victorian Note o Love, by Ormondale, had run up a string of five straight victories. Now he looks forward to the Bryan and OHara Memorial Handicap on Tuesday, when he will attempt to down Honey Cloud, Jacola and others at a mile and three-sixteenths. His chances are good. Walter L. Gregory, president of the Washington Park Jockey Club, has announced the revival of the American Derby next summer. This mile and a quarter event for three-year-olds ever has been synonymous with Washington Park, both in its past and present history, but was discontinued last summer when the Chicago course was granted August dates, but even though the track is expected to operate during a similar period next summer, the Derby would be revived. Just what is the reason for reviving the race, we do not know, but Washington Park had its most successful meeting under its present ownership last year, and it is imagined the operators wish to dignify further the 1939-session with a race of considerable value and importance. By August, the three-year-old division usually is greatly broken up and a well matched field is difficult to assemble, but the 5,000 purse may be sufficient to attract a line-up worthy of a race like the American Derby.
