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° — ~ ■ — ~ — ~ ; : Seventeen Seventeen Likely Likely to to Seek Seek Derby; Derby; List List Arlington Arlington -Washington -Washington Stakes Stakes BENJAMIN F. LINDHEIMER — Announced the Arlington and Washington Parks Stake program for the summer meetings. Condition of Track To Be Vital Factor Theory Rated Doubtful by Ben Jones; On the Mark, Hawley, Dooly Work Out By TEDDY COX CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 3. — Developments during the last fortnight that were expected to pare down the potential Kentucky Derby field to 10 or less have gone into a double reverse and this morning a check with various trainers revealed that 17, or possibly more, may start in Saturdays 00,000 classic. The condition of the track will be a vital factor in the plans of many. The qnly "name" horse in the field to become doubtful was Calumet Farms Theory, who failed to impress in the Derby Trial yesterday. "I made a bad mistake in running him in that kind of going," Ben Jones told the writer this morning. "Steve his jockey. Brooks said the colt simply wouldnt extend himself at any time and the race did not do him much good. Ive always had my doubts about Theory being a true Derby horse, and now Im more doubtful than ever. You can say he is a very doubtful starter." Ran With Smooth Shoes It was brought before Jones attention that several of the starters in the Trial were not shod properly for the thick, sloppy going, that they ran "smooth" without the usual "stickers" or caulks, usually referred to as "corks" by horsemen. "Well, Theory was shod right and so was Black George, so I cant give my horse any excuse on that score," he explained. There are those, however, who still maintain that Ben Jones will reach down in the bag and come up with a formidable Derby threat. They cant seem to forgive him for his pessimism before Ponder charged down the stretch for his spectacular victory last year. It is our belief, however, that Jones was absolutely sincere in his pre-race appraisal and that the Ponder simply "ran in" on him. This time, regarding Theory, though, his pessimism is even more pronounced. According to his line of talk, the most surprised man in racing would be Ben Jones if Theory should happen to run and win." Max Hirsch is another who isnt too happy. He was of the opinion that Middle-ground should have encountered little difficulty in winning the Derby trial and when he moved to horses at the head of the stretch and then promptly "spit out the bit", the Texan was visibly alarmed and disgusted. This correspondent watched the race from his box in the clubhouse. It was learned this morning, though, Continued on Page Three ► : : Seventeen May Vie in Derby; Track Conditions Big Factor Theory Rated Doubtful by t Ben Jones; On the Mark, Hawley, Dooly Work Out Continued from Page One that Middleground was a member of the Trial field that wore smooth plates and that may have accounted for his disappointing performance. He ran* as if he was dead short. When Boland asked the question nearing the three-eighths pole he moved readily and at the head of the stretch appeared to have his foes beaten. It was then that he began to falter and Black George, who had set the pace and was believed to be more of a "quarter" horse than one physically equipped for the Derby distance, drew away with authority. Middleground didnt appear any worse for wear as he walked under the shed for almost an hour this morning. If one were to take his Derby Trial effort as a true gauge of his class, speed and endurance, it wouldnt seem that he rates as one of the powerful threats, but Hirsch is not given to wishful thinking and when he sends a charge out for such a race he usually has him fit, or does not run him. Your Host Gallops Around Course Your Host, who still holds his place as the probable favorite, was galloped once around the muddy course this morning. Trainer Harry Daniels said the colt continues to do well. The condition of the track is his main concern at the present time and he inquired about the long-range weather predictions, which, it is said, are favorable for a fast track. "As I told you yesterday," he said, "Ive never run my horse on a muddy track. Worked him once but it was a slow move and I couldnt tell a thing. We are hoping for a fast track." Hill Prince, who looks as the second choice, and possibly will be favorite for the classic, on the other hand, would prefer sticky footing. The tall colt created a tremendous impression when he worked a mile and one-eighth and galloped out a mile and one-quarter between races yesterday. It was agreed that had he raced in the Derby Trial he would have "spread-eagled" his field. His time for the mile, 1:40%, was only one-fifth of a second slower than the time of the Trial,-and Hill Prince worked around two turns while the race was contested out of the long chute on the backstretch. And, too. Hill Prince was never asked for his best speed. He bobbled a couple of times during the move and this morning his exercise boy, Bobby Judy, explained the reason for his actions: "The track was very deep in spots and fast in others. Wed go along at a good clip and then suddenly hit one of the soft spots and thats why he bobbled." Oil Capitol was galloped this morning and tomorrow trainer Harry Trotsek will set him down for a hard, gruelling move, probably a mile at his best speed, with orders to gallop the colt out an extra eighth. As previously reported, Trotsek is satisfied that Oil Capitol has regained his form. Tomorrows trial undoubtedly will tell an important story. At the same time, Troksek said he will BEN A. JONES — Not satisfied with Theorys Derby Trial effort, he now holds the Calumet colt a doubtful starter. ; ; : ! | I [ not run Lot O Luck in the Derby. "Didnt have enough time to prepare the horse for such a race," he remarked. Mr. Trouble, a very handsome and sturdy colt who is gaining many supporters as the big day nears, was on the track for a gallop this morning and he seemed full of fire. Actually, his exercise boy, John Bruder, encountered considerable difficulty restraining him as he fought to get away into a full run. "The colt feels good and hes ready," trainer Syl Veitch remarked with an expression of extreme satisfaction. Sunglow and Greek Ship walked around the shed. Trainer Preston Burch said that he was satisfied with their Derby Trial performances and that all is well — that they definitely will start. Only three candidates worked this morning. King Ranchs On the Mark and Clifford Mooers Hawley worked together, with the former appearing much the stronger of the two. Willie Boland was on On the Mark and Conn McCreary .was astride Hawley. They reached the quarter in :25% and half in :51 together and there the King Ranch sophomore began to draw away. He finished out the three-quarters in 1:18, seven-eighths in 1:32 ys and .went out the mile in 1:47%. Both horses wore blinkers. Hawley finished about a full second, or five lengths, in back of On the Mark. Dooly needed 1:49 for his mile move. He recorded :49 for the half and 1:17% for the three-quarters.
