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r t Here and There on the Turf Texas Hopes Receive Blow Further Effort Probable El Chico Approaches Fitness May Have Race Before Wood I C 1 Prospects of a return of racing to Texas this year received a devastating blow Monday with the defeat of the pari-mutuel bill in the house by a vote of 67 to 60. All hope is not abandoned, however, as the same house also took negative action on a sales tax proposal and the state is greatly in need of increased revenue. There is a possibility an extra session of the legislature may be called after the present conclave ends soon and at that time another racing bill may be offered. Meanwhile, friends of the sport can be expected to increase their efforts to obtain a majority in the lower house as favorable support in the senate is expected. If pari-mutuel legislation cannot be enacted this year, the Texas Breeders Association and other supporters of the sport will strive for successful action at the next session. Matt Brady is going right along with El Chico, according to latest reports from Belmont Park, and if no interruption is encountered the undefeated juvenile champion of last season will be seen under silks before the month is out, whether it be in the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 29, or in an overnight event earlier in the Jamaica meeting. The capable Celt didnt book any preliminary races before the seven stakes engagements he sent El Chico out to win during 1938, but those were sprints and a different program is required now. El Chicos principal early objective is the Kentucky Derby, at a mile and one-quarter, and,, although the son of John P. Continued on twenty-third page. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page Grier and La Chica may start out in a sprint or middle distance affair, Brady probably will find it necessary to give the colt some training foundation for a long race. El Chicos latest trial was three-quarters in 1:16, an indication the William Ziegler, Jr., star is not far away from a competitive outing at that route and he very probably could be made ready for such a race on Jamaicas opening day a week from Saturday. He wasnt .named for the six furlongs Paumonok Handicap on that date and the thought arises that Brady will point him for an overnight race over the mile and seventy yards distance "of the Wood Memorial, rather than call on him for a hard race in the stake without benefit of seasoning. With a race under his belt, El Chico can use the Wood i as a better stepping stone to the Derby a week later and, if necessary, he can be worked out. in that race to be more thoroughly fitted for the exacting effort usually required to capture the Churchill Downs classic. Short horses just dont win Derbys. Meanwhile El Chico continues to rule the Derby favorite at odds in the various future books ranging from 4 to 5 to 1. Much can happen in the month ensuing before the race to prevent last years juvenile titlist from getting to the post in the Derby or even to cause him to be held at higher odds at post time, and so it seems doubtful very many heavy commissions have been made on him so far. Persons who make the large wagers in future books nearly always make sure they know what theyre doing. They would rather take 3 to 1 two weeks before the race rather than 6 to 1 now if there is any doubt about their condition. Should El Chico come up to his Derby engagement the same dazzling colt he was all last season, his odds undoubtedly will be short, for one reason that will scare away some of his opposition.
