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EXPECT FAST TRACK FOR THE DERBY. Arcite Is Most in Favor — Everything Ready for a Banner Meeting at Louisville. LswisviBe, Kj . Hay 4. -What promisee to be the greatest race meeting ever held .n historic Churchill Downs will be Inaugurated M laj with the thirty-third running of the Kentucky Derby. Never before in these parts has interest in the sport been greater Jhan that which prevails at pres out and should Mondays weather if propitious, it is the boast of the management that they will enter tain the largest crowd ever assembled on the his torie course. The prospects for a fast track arc ■aod. The rain which threatened last night lo be continuous re sard early this morning and left the track so that liberal harrowing and rolling should make it la-t by the time the Derby horses are called to the post. All the colts have been given their final prepara than, and their owners are each hopeful of achieving success. Preference is given to Arcite in what little ante-post speculation is being Indulged in. The colt worked phenomenally in his last trial. a mile and a quarter in 2:i7J. and from all reports he is deserving of the confidence that he is enjoying. Shouhl the track, however, lie uiud-lv. he will be relegated in taror of same of the other -tatters, as he is at a disadvantage on anything but a fast track. Some few owners proclaim him the grandest colt seen in many years and much the superior of Sir Huon. Bedgauutlet and Ovolando are his most dangerous opponents with Wool Sandals the pick of the Californians and next in the estimation of the local turf followers. The horses carded to start, together with the jockeys engaged to ride and the probable odds are: Horse. Wt. Arcite 117 Bedgauntlet 117 Ovelando 117 Pink Star 117 Zal 117 Wool Sandals 117 Orlandwick iio Boxara 117 Jockey. Odds. Troxler ! to 1 » D. Austin 5 to 1 Nicol t; t,, l Minder S to 1 D. Poland 12 to 1 Koerner IT. u J •I. Lee M to 1 G. Swain 50 to 1 these prices are figured for a fast track. |n eaae the track is muddy it is thought that Arcite will be 2 to 1 or better. Zal was given a final try-out late this afternoon, lie went the Derby route in 2:20. The track was muddy and the colt was forced to work around the "dogs." A rumor was current thai .lack Atkiu had been shipped here this afternoon ami would he a starter in the Derby, but the colt is at Belmont Park where trainer Brandt is trying to get him into good racing condition. He is reported to have gone amiss burl week after a try-out. It is generally expected that between twenty-Rve and thirty bookmakers will quote prices Derby day. The drawings will lie daily. Under the rules of the state Racing Commission no messenger boy-will be permitted to operate in the grandstands. Secretary Davis has taken considerable pains wilh the steeplechase course and at present it appears to be the equal of any in the country. To prevent horses from running around the bags in turns where jumps are placed, cone shaped mounds have been built. The course has been constantly rolled for the last three weeks. Everything i- in readiness for the opening ami the track and appointments never showed to better advantage. The card prepared for the opening day is one of the best ever offered in the west. of course the Derby is the all powerful attraction, but the other races are interesting and with such horses as Colloquy. Mike Sutton. Morale-. Mollie Montrose, Dew of Dawn, Bebel Queen: Ben Strong. Warner Griswell. Kalbert; Arcite, Bed gauntlet, ovelando: Synchronised, Iferrtfteld. Etnas eier: Envoy, Posing and High Bear showing among the entries, some interesting thistles shouhl mark the decision of the races. J. L. Deinp-ev.