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CUDGEL FAVORITE FOR THE KENTUCKY HANDICAP TO BE RUN AT DOUGLAS PARK TODAY 1 Louisville. Ky., May 31. — The latest developments in connection with the Kentucky Handicap, the most valuable race of the year for horses of the matured division and which will l e decided tomorrow at Douglas Park, all point to a contest that will be memorable in every way. The mighty Cudgel, top weight and favorite for the race, arrived safely at Churchill Downs Wednesday from Belmont Park. Former jockey Carroll Shilling, who has been exercising the horse this spring for H. G. Bedwell, racing manager of the Ross stable, brought the illustrious son of Broomstick west and turned him over upon his arrival to the care of George Read, trainer of the western division of the Ross stable, who is looking after the champion until the arrival of H. G. Bedwell from New York with jockey Lyke, who will have the mount on the horse in Saturdays big race. Trainer Read, who had not seen Cudgel since last fall, reported that he came off the car after his thirty-six hour trip from the east in perfect condition and looking thoroughly fit. He had one end of a big express car all to himself, with a pony in the other end of the car for company. Cudgel has a perfect disposition and is such a seasoned traveler, that the trip did not affect him in the slightest, even though it took a bit longer than anticipated, on account of the missing of connections at Pittsburgh -tnd Cincinnati. But the main thing is that Cudgel is here and in condition to run for a kings ransom. He will have a tremendous following in Saturdays race. Yesterday morning he was given a mile gallop at Churchill Downs and went the distance in 1 :41. After filling his engagement at Douglas Park on Saturday, this valuable piece of horseflesh will be shipi ed back to Belmont Park on Sunday to participate in some of the important eastern events for which he is eligible. It is now practically certain that R. L. Baker, who won last years running of this important race with King Gorin, will be represented in this years running of the big race, i olh by King Gorin and Pif Jr. King Gorin figured in a sensationally fast work-out for the race, when he went a mile and a quarter over the Douglas Park track Wednesday morning in 2:04%, the fractionals being 24%, 48 /£, 1:13%, 1:38V, and 1:50%. This was even better than the 2:05 work of his stablemate Pif Jr. a few days ago, on the strength of which he came out Wednesday for the first time this year and made a new American record of 1:41% for one mile and seventy yards in win ning the Military Handicap. It must be admitted that in these two horses, R. L. Baker holds a strong hand for the race. Another important work-out by a Kentucky Handicap eligible Wednesday, was that of Hol-lister, A. K. Macombers main reliance for the big race. Trainer Thomas Murphy sent him a mile and a quarter over the Churchill Downs track in 2:06%, the fractionals being 24%, 48%, 1 :14% ami 1 :40%. Jockey Buxton is on his way here from New York to ride this horse in Saturdays big race. George M. Hendrie, president of the Windsor Jockey Club, and W. P. Fraser, secretary cf the Canadian Racing Associations, arrived here today for the running of the big race, for which Mr. Hendrie, who is one of the foremost of Canadian sportsmen, will furnish one of the choices in his good hcrse Rancher. It is the consensus of opinion among the horsemen, that Rancher is in the race favorably and that he will be a sharp factor in its decision, under 115 pounds. His recent race showed him to be in the pink of condition and some good judges pronounce him better just now than at any previous time in his whole career. Trainer John S. Ward, who has four eligible for the big race in charge, has decided to depend upon Midway to represent his stable. Escoba developed a trifling affection of the eye Wednesday and the stewards excused him from the Military Handicap because his temperature mounted to 104. Trainer Ward thinks the trouble will disappear within a day or two and that it will not interfere with training for his engagement in the Latonia Derby, for which he is the prospective favorite. Tlie indisposition will keep Escoba out of the Kentucky Handicap, though, and trainer Ward does not consider his other Kentucky Handicap charges, Valor and Franklin, as having any chance in the big race. W. H. Bakers improved gelding, Green Jones, raced well enough Wednesday in finishing second to Pif Jr., to encourage his owner to start him in the big race Saturday, in which he will have 105 pounds, four less than he carried Wednesday. N. Barrett will have the mount on him. J. C. Milam will be represented by Capt. Rees, while Guy Fortune is the Middleton and Jones hope in the big race. The sj eedy mare Arriet will carry the Moore colors and Buford is the W. F. Poison standard bearer. The carded starters, together with their age, pedigree, weight to be carried and jockeys arc here presented : Horse. Col. and Sex. A. Pedigree. Wt. Jockey. Cudgel b. c, 4 By Broomstick — Eugenia Burch . 132 L Lyke King Gorin . . .eh. h, 5 By Transvaal — Ethel Simpson . .122 . . .J. Metcalf • Pif Jr blk. g, 6 By Waterboy— Anna Bain 117 . . .M. Garner . Hollister b. c, 4 By Sunstar — Our Lassie 120 . . .M. Buxton Midway eh. c, 4 By Ballot— Thirty Third 118 . . . J. Kederis Rancher b. h, 6 By Galveston — Sweet Lavender. 115 L. Mink . • Guy Fortune . . .eh. c, 4 By Transvaal — Cerina 108 . .D. Connelly Arriet eh. m, 7 By Harry Melton— Koster Girl. .108 E. Sande Beaverkill br. c, 4 By Ogden— Dolly Higgins 106 0. Willis i Buford eh. c, 4 By Ballot— Ollie Belle 105 . .B. Simpson i Green Jones b. g, 4 By Handsel — Floreal 105 . . .N. Barrett • Capt. Bees ch. g, 5 By Plaudit— Starry Night 97 . .H. Thurber ,
