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HORSEMEN FAVOR NORTH STAR III. Chances for Winning Kentucky Derby Appear Best, General Opinion — Rickety Highly Considered. By Ed Cole. New York. April 5. — A prominent horseman, just returning from Kentucky, made it his business to look over some of the Derby candidates and he came back not highly impressed with the band now on Kentucky tracks. "There an* but a few that I would say are worthy of ooiisiderationV said he, "and my opinion in a nutshell is that if North Star III. lives up to reputation and historic precedent, he will be a hard horse to beat. Of course, one cannot tell at this early day with any degree of confidence what is likely to happen. So many things can occur between now and the running of the race. "I was particularly impressed with Cudgel from Mr. Schorrs stable, more so with Cudgel than Harry Kelly, though the latter is cooled down in disposition witli age. Harry Kelly, however, does not impress me as hetag made of Derby calibre, being ii trifle on the light side. He is a fast horse, but when it comes to going a mile and a SjaaiUl he may lag. Yet he should prove a useful horse in a race of this kind to make pace for his stable companion Cudgel. I may be wrong in my deduction, for if Harry Kelly proves he will go a long route, he will tie hard to beat, owing to his early speed which minimizes his chances of early interference. Westy Hogan in Good Shape. "Westy Hogan is in fine condition, but there is a general feeling among horsemen that he may not stay, though today he is better fitted than any of those in preparation for the event that I saw. Tlure are a band of horses being sent along in anticipation of starting, but the majority are on the common side. Creen Jones is impressive in looks and Mr. Safcer thinks pretty well of his chances. as do other good judges, but to me he lacks a trifle in class. I ,|,,| n,,t see Omar Khayyam, but from what I learned he is going to be some horse in tin* race. He has everything to renimmenil him and from all accounts is training beautifully. "Midway is a small hois,, .-mil the close watchers do not think he will be a formidable opponent unless his looks are deceiving. He may run a good race, but place I ■ i t l beside horses like North Star III.. Omar Khayyam. Cudgel. Westy Bagas and others, and he passes into insignificance in appearance. Milkman, from the Madden stable, is not training well, so I was told. But it is early yet tn predict anything, as the burses have not been asked to gallop at their best. •"I really did not see or hear anything while in Kentucky, that would throw much light on the race at present, excepting that Cudgel is an impressive sort of horse and it would not surprise me in tin-least to see him the mainstay of the Schorr stable. Westy Hogan. too. will have to be well consider, d if In* shows in his work that he will go a Derby route. But when these two come tore to face with North Star III.. Kickofy. Omar Khayyam and maybe one or two others, their chances will possibly deteriorate in the eyes of the e.X|MTt critics." Emil Hcrz Gives His Opinion. Imil Hcrz. who knows much of English racing and traditions, in talking of the Derby, draws his conclusions much in favor of North Star III., and Rickety from Mr. Whitneys stable. He takes a line through North Star III. winning the Middle Park Plate and the tradition that the winner of that race would be much favored by English critics to win the Epsom Derby. Again in confuting the statements that North Star 111. may not stay. Incites two instances of English sprinters coining over here and winning long races. He alluded to Borrow and Whisk Broom II. "Neither of those was considered more than a splinter in England. " said Mr. llerz. "yet both showed here they could go a good route and beat good horses. Neither could be classed evenly with North Star III. on their English performance-. I firmly believe North Star III. will stay, notwithstanding |he fact that the English critics are fearful he will not. There is no question that James Rowe and Walter Jennings hold two big hands for the Derby and if their candidates. Rickety and North Star III., go to the post, they will be decided choices. Something may come along and beat them hath, but from my observations and reports of their preparation, it is not probable."
