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j 3 k I Ashland Stakes Is Mid-Week Fixture Harriet Sue Looms Strong Favorite for Keenelands Filly Event at Churchill LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 15.— The Keeneland clubs experiments in "improvement of the breed" proved a financial success — at least on opening day. The management now looks forward optimistically to continued public interest in proceedings throughout the ensuing six days of its transplanted spring meeting here at venerable Churchill Downs. Three of the organizations permanent features are to be renewed during the week. These begin with Wednesdays Ashland Stakes, a ,000 added test of six furlongs for three-year-old fillies. The Ashland will be followed on Thursday by the Thoroughbred Club Dinner Purse, of ,500 value, a run of four and one-half furlongs, for juveniles. The week-end activities will be notable for the running of the ,000 Ben Ali Handicap, at a mile and a sixteenth, for three-year-olds and upward. Handicap -per Fred Burtons weight assignments for the 20 nominees to the Saturday attraction are due Tuesday. Twenty-Six Nominations There are 26 candidates for the Ashland, including several of that unusual crop of "starlets" who contributed so much to the thrills and excitement of the 1943 turf season. Calumet Farms Miss Keeneland and Twilight Tear, Brownell Combs Durazna and H. Friedbergs consistent Harriet Sue are among these, but only the last-named daughter of Bull Lea— Bay Servant is expected to be a starter. At the moment the Louisville-owned filly looms as an odds-on choice to defeat a field drawn from among Campanula, Letmenow, Reimburseme, Jo Agnes and other such comparatively anonymous candidates. The most unique event of the long 31 -day spring season at Derbytown is the Thoroughbred Club Dinner Purse. Thirty-three subscribers paid 5 each to nominate. They and their guests will attend the annual dinner evolving on this event, the night of the race. After payment of ,700 first money, 00 second, 00 third and 00 fourth— and picking up the tab for this fete— the club will turn the remainder of the jackpot, if any, over to the American Red Cross. Thor-bred Club members are agreed that if any of their colorbearers finish in a money placing they will accept payment in War Bonds.
