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JOHNSON and BILLINGS HORSES EXPECTED. Omar Khayyam Deemed the Stables Reliance for Kentucky Derby Honors. By Charles A. Berginl. Louisville. Ky.. March 21. — The stable of Johnson and Billings, well-known eastern turfiiii u. now racing at Oaklawn Park. Hot Springs, will for the first time be campaigned on the Kentucky tracks this spring, in charge of C. T. Patterson. Later on tin- establishment will b transferred to Belmont 1ark. This announcement was made today by Col. Matt Winn, after he had received application from trainer Patterson to reserve twenty-five stalls at Churchill Downs. The stable is due to arrive hereabout April 1. Inusual latere*! attaches to th - corning of the Billings and Johnson horses, inasmuch as the string numbers among its members five Kentucky Derby candidates, every one having been imported. They are Omar Khayyam. Grundy. Greek Legend, Bachelors Bone and All Star. The first named is regarded as the star of the collection and. if lie trains soundly, will be the stables standard bearer in tin- big race on the afternoon of May 12. Omar Khayyam is a chestnut colt by Marco — Lisma. and was bred in England. With the other horses belonging to the stable, he wintered at New Orleans, and is now at Hot Springs. He is said to be in splendid condition and many of the critics are of the opinion that lie has a good chance to win the Derby. As a two-year-old he started in four races. He won one. was second twice and unplaced on the other occasion. His winning effort was a maiden race at Saratoga, which he scored easily, running five and one-half furlongs in 1:07%. He was second to Campfire in the Hopeful Stakes, coaming from last position in the stretch, being beaten by less than a length. In this race he finished ahead of Rickety. The Knocker, Sedan and Star Master Not much line can be obtained upon the other Derby colts. Grundy won a race at New Orleans, but the other three have yet to face the barrier here. They are in most capable hands however, and their trainer. C. T. Patterson, who developed Ornament and other high grade horses, is bound to make the most of the material with which he lias to work. J. E. Madden Predicts Banner Year. J. E. Madden was a visitor at Churchill Downs today, having come over from Lexington to Inspect the three score horses that are being trained by William "Chuck" Walker. The master of Hamburg Place is well pleased with the looks of the horses, particularly the two-year-olds. He predicts a banner season of racing this year, not only for Kentucky, but for all other tracks throughout the country. In spite of the fact that racing bills have failed of passage in several stabs this winter, the sport of racing in certainly coming back, according to Mr. Madden, and the outlook for the Kentucky breeders is better than for a good many years. Jockey Claude Hunt, principal rider for the stable of Kay Speneo. has returned from Tijuana, where he has been riding for the past six weeks. He was accompanied by jockeys Ltasaferd and Prober, junior riders for the Spence stable. All of them are now busy galloping the stables horses in training at the Downs. T. Hunt, brother to Claude, remained on the coast, his contract having been sold to a western owner. Claude Hunt reported upon his arrival that Kay Spence had stopped over at El laso. Texas, en route to Kentucky, to undergo a minor surgical operation. He expects to reach here in time to complete the training of his horses for the spring campaign. Carroll Reid has arrived at Douglas Park from his winter quarters. The only thoroughbred he brought witli him was Happy Thought, a bay colt by Ben Trovato — Cappodiocia, which has been entered in the local two-year-old stakes. H. Van Ry is due to reach Douglas Park within a day or two with six horses he campaigned at Havana. Among the number is Wavering, the property of H. B. Gorin of this city. The steeplechaser, Queed, also owned by Mr. Gorin, Which has been wintered at the Downs in the care of Robert Slater, has been transferred to Havre de Grace to be gotten ready for the Maryland spring season. Jockey John Callahan has arrived from his home in Maryland and rejoined the stable of William Martin. Callahan is in splendid condition, due to leading an out-door life on his farm near Washington all winter.
