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Here and There on the Turf k Dry Havre Track Wanted Bull Lea Otherwise Ready Churchill Prospects Good Imprudent, Roman Excel • ... A I Giving Frank Kearns cause for worry just now is the weather prospect tomorrow at Havre de Grace. Such an item is something to .disturb the usual tranquility of Edward Burke, the Harford Association general manager, but the Calumet Farm trainer is uneasy because he took Bull Lea there to run in the Philadelphia Handicap and, The Widener winner isnt particularly fond of a muddy race track. Bull Lea is the top candidate for the Philadelphia in the opinion of handicapper Charles "J. McLennan, as is shown in the imposts, the son of Bull Dog and Rose Leaves, by Ballot, being rated at 126 pounds or six pounds above any in the race. The weight isnt bothering Kearris because Warren Wrights colorbearer is well able to handle such an impost, but the big trainer from Brooklyn is most anxious about the weather behaving itself so that a fast track will be in order. Even though the Calumet trainer expected Bull-Lea to have an impost something like that assigned by McLennan, he must realize the Bull Dog colt has his work cut out for him even with the course at its best. The distance of a mile and one-sixteenth suits Bull Lea perfectly even though his Widener triumph was over the mile and one-quarter route as he has been sharpened up since his winter campaign, but some of the other candidates likewise are favored and with concessions in weight will be giving the Calumet colt plenty of "argument. Among them are Burning Star, winner of the Philadelphia a year ago and almost certain to be one of the choices tomorrow by virtue of his two fine efforts at Keeneland, one resulting in a victory in the Ben Ali Handicap. The Shandon Farm veteran is in the event under 116 pounds and wont necessarily require a fast track. Churchill Downs opens its long spring meeting tomorrow with indications that it will be the best in some time, providing, of course, that good weather will prevail. Kentucky has had on unusual amount of rain this spring, but despite .the inclement weather, Keeneland staged a record meeting and Matt Winn and associates are hopeful the same prosperity is in store for the Downs. The big .day, of course, is next Saturday, but the first week always means much to the spring meeting and if the weather is clear, through Derby time, Colonel Winn wont care so much if it rains all the rest of the time. Churchill Downs has extended its accommodations in the prospect of the largest Derby crowd yet and it will not be disappointed if good weather is in store, judging by the vast number of requests for reservations. From a racing standpoint, the meeting also should be one of the best in recent years. More than enough horses are available . for competition, but what is more signif- , Continued on twenty-eighth page. ■ HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. icant they appear to be of higher class. All the stakes have drawn good entries, beginning with the inaugural feature, the historic Clark Handicap. The Derby field probably wont be as large as has been customary in recent years, but it is one that does not lack in interest, representing as it does various section of the country. Another historic Downs feature that will be as prominent and important as ever this spring is the Kentucky Oaks, giving three-year-old fillies their opportunity to shine. With other tracks in the middle west, excepting Fair-mount Park, remaining dark until late in May, Churchill Downs should have the top spot in every way. Early developed two-year-olds were given stakes winning opportunities Wednesday in the Aberdeen at Havre de Grace and the Lafayette at Keeneland and in both instances, the victors left nothing to doubt. In the Aberdeen, Imprudent followed up the four triumphs she had achieved at New Orleans where she was an undefeated champion. The daughter of Whiskalong and Rash Promise, by Grey Lag, suffered her only defeat in the Bowie Kindergarten but she gained revenge on Rumba Giis, the winner of that event, in the Aberdeen as she led all the way over the four and a half furlongs of muddy going. A similar track condition prevailed for the Lafayette, but Roman fancied the mud so well he likewise led from start to finish to win easily. A son of Sir Gallahad III. and Buckup, he seems to be a good colt, perhaps improved from his winter form. He I just failed to be the Hialeah juvenile cham- • pion.
