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Pukka Gin and Stir Up to Clash In Wood Memorial ThisWeek-End i • ; 1 | I Leading Pair of Seventeen 1 Still Regarded as Probables For 5,000 Jamaica Stake JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y.. April 15.— New Yorks turf enthusiasts will have their own Kentucky Derby preview at Jamaica on Saturday when the 5,000 Wood Memorial at a mile and one -sixteenth will lure the leading eastern candidates for the "run for the roses" postward. At this writing there are at least 17 among the 70 original nominees who may be considered fairly probable, though Tuesdays St. James Purse at a mile and 70 yards may eliminate some of these prospects, and, on the other hand, some nominees not now considered likely starters may ship up from Maryland. The probable field for the Wood is headed by Col. C. V. Whitneys Pukka Gin and Mrs. Payne Whitneys Greentree color-bearer, Stir Up. Pukka Gin, who was rated the best juvenile of 1943 by handicapper John B. Campbell, was narrowly beaten by the lightly-weighted Stronghold in the first division of the Experimental Handicap on Wednesday when obviously short of work, while Stir Up won the second division of the same stake in a breeze, thus partially confirming his surprise victory in Hialeahs Flamingo Stakes. The others considered most likely to oppose this pair are Brookmeade Stables Ariel Game, A. A. Baronis Autocrat, Joe W. Browns Fox Brownie, Mrs. T. Christophers Bel Reigh, Havahome Stables Bud Grey, William Helis Louisiana Derby winner, Olympic Zenith; Longchamps Farms* Grant Rice, Marise Farms Frisky Fire, Mill River Stables Captains Aide, Crispin Oglebays Boy Knight, Mrs. Donald H. Peters Bull Dandy, Allen T. Simmons Sir Drake, Wheatley Stables Free Lance, and George D. Wideners Platter and Lucky Draw. Bull Dandy Unknown Quantity Most of the horses named have raced with more or less success at the current meeting. Bull Dandy is a two-time winner at this session and his limit is unknown, as he seems to be the sort of colt who does I just what is asked of him and nothing ! more. Fox Brownie was an impressive i winner of a sprint here. Captains Aide, 1 a full -brother to Eurasian, disposed of a ! field of maidens with little trouble. Sir ! Drake and Free Lance were upset by Uncle Ace in the Amber jack Purse on Friday, j running two-three, but both should im- I prove. Frisky Fire ran a promising second I to Bull Dandy in the first half of the same I race and might have won but for going wide. The Widener pair, Platter and Lucky Draw, only recently arrived at Belmont Park from Erdenheim Farm, where they are reported to have wintered well. Plat- ter was rated second best of last years ! crop of two-year-olds by Campbell, while Lucky Draw was also a stakes winner. It is possible that one or both may debut in Tuesdays St. James. Autocrat, the star of the West Coast last year, was in futile pursuit of Stir Up in the Experimental, but may improve. Olympic Zenith has not yet started at this meeting, but those who saw his races at New Orleans were impressed with his power. Well probably know more about him after Tuesdays St. James, where he Is expected to make his New York debut
