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Twenty Years Ago Today Chief Turf Events of February 8 1903 Sunday no racing racingW W C Whitneys fouryearold colt Slip thrift which is nominated for several of the big handicaps has begun stiff work with the Huggins string at Newmarket and will no doubt be in good fettle long before the real racing season begins beginsA A great race deserves a great entry list and that is what has been awarded the American Derby this year It is the truly national race of this country for threeyearolds and its importance grows as the years roll by In time it will be to the United States what the Epsom Derby is to England It is a source of just pride to the West because it is the only race of the West that is preeminent The East boasts of the greatest race for twoyearolds the Futurity the greatest handicaps for three yearolds the Brooklyn Suburban and Brigh ¬ ton and iu respect to weightforage races leads unapproached but the supremacy of1 the American Derby is unchallenged in the list of great events for threeycarclds This year the American Derby has 120 entries Last year it had ninetyseven All sections of the country are represented All the good two yearsolds and over the Brooklyn Suburban and Brighton and in respect to weightforage race leads unapproached but the supremacy of the manytimes printed suggestion that be ¬ cause Heno The Parader Kermis and other eastern aspirants of recent years had failed to carry off the honors of the American Derby eastern owners would give up essaying its cap ¬ ture Mr August Belmoat it represented by his sterling son of Hastings Lord of the Vale Mr F R Hitchcock has in AcefuUs conqueror Grey Friar Mr R T Wilson Jr has not been deterred by the lack of success of The Parader in trying again with his two cracks Mexican and Grantsdale Messrs Whitney it Duryea have entered their splendid colt Irish Lad Philip Dwycr has nominated Merry Acro ¬ bat and Claude Trapszist Mickey Dwyer Standard Bearer and Ahola have been named to give battle in the colors of other eastern
