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BETTING PUBLIC FAVORS BILLY KELLY Majority Think Commander Eoss "WillJWin " "Waef r6n0utcome-of "Kentucky Derby. NEW YORK. N. Y., February 17. The reported wager of 5,000 that Billy Kelly will beat Eternal in the Kentucky Derby, made by Commander J. K. L. Ross witli Arnold Rothstein, reminds one of the wagers in ancient turf history between the nobles of England and their bookmaking friends. The amounts were larger upon many occasions in those days, but the transaction between Commander Ross and Rothstein is one of the largest, if not the largest, ever made in this country, at least in recent years. Last year at Empire City the late Dick Doggett bet Tom Shaw 0,000 that Flags would beat Jack Hans Jr. in the Fleetwing Handicap. That was considered a pretty stiff wager, horse against horse. It is eclipsed by the Billy Kelly-Eternal proposition, especially in view of the fact that the race is three months f and there is no telling what may arise during tiie training oiera-tions. Naturally the transaction has caused widespread comment among horsemen and students of turf affairs. Opinions are somewhat divided as to which lias the better of tlfe !et, though the weight of favorable opinion leans toward Commander Ross. Such a student of form and prices as Billy Beverley declares Billy Kelly will be the choice over Eternal should botli horses go to the post in their best condition. "In the first place," says Mr. Beverley, "Billy Kelly does not have to have a track made to order for him, being suited by any sort of going. There being no stipulation regarding track conditions, this fact scores a point in Billy Kellys favor. Again, Billy Kelly is a gelding, which will probably enable trainer Bedwell to fit him more perfectly and earlier than Kim Patterson can fit Eternal. The climax of the argument in Billy Kellys favor is the fact hut lie has shown a disposition to go a long route and would have beaten Eternal in their celebrated special race at "Laurel had the route been a ; hit farther.- Both are mighty good horses: but in predicting the result of a wager horse against horse there is no better line to take than publie i-rformances. Neither one may win; in fact, I know men who would like to wager 3 to 2 against the pair coupled." ONE OF LARGEST WAGERS IN YEARS. Edward Burke, than whom tlire are few better judges of a race horse in this country, or prices, ludieves that Billy Kelly will lie a favorite over Eternal. He is decided in his opinion that In their match race Billy Kelly would have won with equal jockeys. Sande being no match for Scliut-tinger when it came down to the fine lmints of race riding. "I would rather take the Boss end of the wager than the Eternal," said he, "but if I were lietting I would rather wait until the day of running is much closer, as condition will be the dominating factor in the result of the Derby, as it always is. No one can tell -what form the horses will lie in when the time arrives for action. If one horse is a trifle short of work it may cause his defeat, though lie may prove afterward he is far the better. horse. I suppose the wager between Commander Ross and Rothstein was made after one of those arguments which occur during conversation and which show the interest in turf affairs even during the winter months. In the old days when bookmaking was rampant many men have bet large sums on their horses to win handicaps and stakes through the medium of winter books, but this 5,000 wager is about the largest I have heard of in late years, horse against horse. This one financial incident alone will increase the interest in the race, as the doing and works of the two horses will be watched closely, and with more than ordinary concern by the nublie and patrons of racing. I should like, to see botli horses go to the post witli conditions suitable to both, so that there could his no excuses thereafter. The prospects for a Derby of more than ordinary attraction is promised for 1019."
