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TUMBLER FOR KENTUCKY DERBY. Horsemen Think Whitney Colt Is Being Groomed for Big Western Race. New York. April 30. — lm Mkv folks in this city have their minds trained on James Rowe. Tliey are straining tlieir mind-reading nerves in an effort to find out just why the celebrated trainer sent Tumbler to Havre le Oraoe last Tuesday to run in a jiurse race. The old-time horsemen who know a few of .Mr. I!owi methods are inclined to believe that Tumbler will be the Whitney stables reliance in the Kentucky Derby anil that Itowe for some nason of his own. wanted to give him a public trial in a race. Others argue that Tumbler might be a disappointment in the stable and that to satisfy himself on the question Mr. Itowe sent him to Havre de Once. The fact that Tumbler was returned to Brookdule after the race would upset this argument. One or two rather smart race-goers seemed to think Rowe saw an easy spot for Tumbler and shipped him to M iryland blieving him capable Pf picking up a purse worth nearly 7 K. Whatever were Mr. Rowes intentions, he has racing folks hereaKiuts guessing, though those in a position to know say that Tumblers race was a part of his Derby preparation and that when the horses are called to the post at Louisville on May 12. Tumbler will be at least one of the two choices for the race, if not the actual favorite. This assertion is made on the ground that some smart horsemen at the Waldorf yesterday offered to wager a goodly sum on Tumbler Ulllrt any named horse in the race, notwithstanding his defeat by King Herod, the presumption being that Tumbler was a trifle short in his initial start and that the one race will do hint a world Of good. That Tumbler was considered up to such a race v.as evident from the tip flying around on him. which came from the most reliable |Uartors. At the track, too. he received substantial support. That alone is evident that horsemen who saw the horse in the paddock considered his chances good. Vet the argument can be well out that Mr. Howe might hare been slightly mistaken in the horses condition or that he did not consider King Herod as good a horse as he proved to be. Knew Tumbler Was Ready for Good Race. One in close touch with the Whitney stable said ciifidently that he knew Mr. Itowe believed Titmb-1- r was ready for a Bead race and that he was the horse Mr. Howe was lolying upon to Mag home the Derby money. This also is tl.c opinion of the ohltinio horsemen, who generally, from experience, know that one public race of :i horse ia the spring i; wortii three private trials, especially to a horse el* the Tumbler •• information. It is not the first time Mr. Row. has pursivd these methods, but his shipping a horse from the training grounds to Maryland would indicate this astate and i icipHaatllj rlever tea me r v.as taking necessary measures to have his horse lit for tie Derby and that he was Hating his training nl- nio-t to one proverbial minute. The probabilities are that Mr. Bo-we did not bank so maeh on winning Tuesdays race as he did on giving Tumbler the trial he needed. Tie- purse, to him. was no deal t a secondary consideration. His action has put the specula five public in the air. howev r. especially as Tumbler was beaten by another Derby candidate in King Herod. King Herod is rant Bath Rrowni !*■ Derby candidate and is considered one of the most dangerous • ontenders for the Kentucky race this year. He is sure of a following at Louisville, specially after the form be has shown at the Bowie and Havre de Grace meetings. Having wintered at lalmetto Park. Charleston, King Herod got to Howie in tip-top condition and won his first race of the meeting from mahtea opponents at three -quarters at a mile after having bean left nt the barrier and suffered enoagh in-ti rb n nee to have discouraged any bone. The smoothness of his actian and the unflinching courage he showed In the beaneatretch mad" a profound impression. Trainer McDanicl Denies Report of Sale. .lust recently it was reported that King Herod had been sold to Coagreaaaaaa George V. Left for t P_.. ". »»». but this report was denied by trainer R. .1. Mcllaniel at Havre de Orace. Ornnf Bag* Rrowno bad rcfunfi a previous offer of tT7,SM for King ib rod. according to his own statement. King Herod has started in tour races on the eastern tracks this year, winning three and running second in one. His first victory at Howie was over the three-quarters distance. In this race he was badly outpaced in the early running, but moved up with a rush while rounding the far turn anl shook off his oppon-nts in the last fifty yards. I lis second race at Howie. April 11. was over five Mid ■ half furlongs, and he again showed a game finish to beat Ilyannis. King Herod was beaten a length by Fruit Cake in his PJrat start at Havre de ;raco. but finished gamely. I ating out Amalgamator. He rued un-ihr punishment in the early running, being kept close to the leaders, but could never get up Oil the winner. This was in another short race of five and a half furlongs. King Herods victory over Tumbler, the Harry 1*. Whitney candidate, in a race of one mile and seventy yards, last Tuesday, raised his stock for the Derby. He is sure of a followiag at Louisville. American racing folks have been looking these two years for a horse of quality claiming as sire the fastest of the sons of Commando, which won fifteen straight races and earned a matter of 81,gOQ for the lite vice chairman of the lackey Club. For when Colin, with two bowed tendons, defeated Fair 1l.iy in the Helmont Stakes of 1MB, he proed that he could maintain his speed over a distance of ground, anil, after he get out of the way, Fair Play easily won everything in sight. First Horse hy Colin to Display Class. King Herod is the first horse by Colin to display go id form. A chestnut in color, he stands nearly sixteen hands high on his racing plates and tips the beam at LILT, pounds. He has the obli pie shoulders of a stayer, a shad back, big, well-roiiiidcd quarters, ami bis bulk is upheld by as sturdy a set of legs as the most exacting horsemen might wish to see. He is. in short, a perfectly balanced thoroughbred. Colin was light in lione under the knee. This fellow is not. His bone framework is as good as the best. King Herod was bred in Great Britain before Colin, which the late James R. Keeae skipped across the Atlantic in the summer of 1JM1S. after his breakdown in the Tidal Stakes at Bheepahead Hay. when Dorante put him to a drive to win. in the hope that he might race again, was brought back to the Halted States, to be purchased at the auction block by Price McKinncy and James CsCTignn for *:,». MM . Colin made a couple of stud seasons in Great it.ritain. ir.int Hugh Hrowne baaght King Ilerod on the other side two years ago. and the Colin call started twice list year without showing a great deal. Hut in fairness to him. it must be said that no serious effort was made to get him to the post at his best. He was too big and awkward to stand hard training, and the racing he did was intended for educational purposes. No thoroughbred in the Halted States lioasts of a stouter pedigree than King Herod Ban claim. Acolat, his dam. is a daughter of Pioneer --.Vera. Pioneer, which finished third in the Two Thousand Guineas won by Kathusiast, was a son of Galopia — Moorhen and a half brother of Oallinule. the sire of Pretty Polly. Acr.i was a daughter of The Duke — Double First, sin- a sister of Sterling, founder of the stallion line of Isonomy and Isinglass, to which GalMaale and Pretty Polly. Kinley Mack. Hermis, Stir Shoot. Atheling, Hryn Mawr. Dm le and a score of other great horses Itoloug. A horse of King Herods physique bred that way has every license to race and breed on. Those who have seen King Herod this year pronounce him a fine looker and one built U| on the lines of a staying horse. If his defeat of Tumbler was legitimate, meaning that Tumbler was at his best and fit for a mile and seventy yards race, then King Herod is going to be a factor in the Derby. If Tumbler was snort. King Herod can hardly be expected to lieat him in the Derby. The former has proved he has greater speed than King Herod, and can carry weight. Consequently It is but a question of his going the route to beat King Herod. If. on the contrary, Tumbler showed his best form in Tuesdays race. King Ilerod must be reckoned upon as a decided factor in the Kentucky Derby. Every Owner Expects to Win. "Most everybody who has a horse in the Derby believes he is going to win," said Matt Winn in talking over the race with P. J. Dwyer and other turf notables. "Why, even the owner of Friendless says he has a winning chance. Mr. Parrish, who relies on Midway, has offered to bet a goodly sum on his horse against any other horse in the list and W. II. Raker thinks he has the money already in the bank with Ogata Jones. Naturally Walter Jennings is sweet on the M. number entry and so are some others who are watching the preparations of all the candidates now in Kentucky. Charles Patterson has a good horse in Omar Khayyam, and All Star, from the same stable, is also working satisfactorily. Then there is Andrew Millers horse Ticket, which is growing in favor every day. and Westy Hogan also. I doubt if there ever was a Derby run in this country which appeared to be such an open race and I dont think there ever was a Kentucky Derby which will record as many starters." The racing hereabouts is overshadowed by the Kentucky Derby. No matter who one meets on Broadway or the hotel lobbies it is all Derby talk. "Which do you think will win." is the first question put when horseman meets horseman. The whys and wherefores are discussed almost every minute. Local racing seems to be of minor importance. Scores of turf enthusiasts are going to Louisville for the occasion and if a special train were arranged, it would unqnestii nubly be crowded. Many an going to Kentucky early, some ten days in advance, to g.t good accommodations. As Si Slocuni says: "Id bo willing to sleep a couple of nights iu a stable to see that Derby." Three Parties Already Arranged. Three separate parties were made up today to go to Louisville to witness the running of the Kentucky Derby. H. K. Knapp. Schuyler L. Parsons. Andrew Miller, r. R. Hitchcock and John Kan ford, five mi mbers of the Jockey Club, along with Richard Temple and W. Street, will leave on May It. Following this party, in a private car. as guests of Price McKinncy. will be Senators A. H. Fall. Marcus II. Smith and C. Hughes. I. J. Dwyer. MattJe Corbett. Fire Chief Lilly of ITloallja and Kugone D. Wood, leaving May 10. About the same time the II. 1. Whitney guests will leave in a private car. The party will include Larry and Monte Watorbury. the two expert poloists, Payne Whitnov, Samuel A. Clark. Peter Dunn and John Fox. Arrangements have all been completed for Transportation and boxes reserved at Churchill Downs. These are but a few of the most prominent men going to Kentucky. V. p.. Miller, the owner of nolo, will leave with W. H. Kb at, who has charge of the registration department of the Jockey Club. They will have on May S.