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EVE OF THE BIG RACE ♦ Finds Wide Difference of Opinion Over Outcome of Noted Race. » • Record Number of Starters Expected to Strive for Rich Prize — Everything Ready. LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 18.— Right on the eve of the mnning of the Kentucky Derby there is still a wide difference of opinion on just where the winner will come from. With twenty-four named to battle for the most coveted of all the three-year-old races of the year supporters can be found for at least half of those named. It was confidently expected that the field would be a large one, but twenty -four went a few beyond expectations. Of course, there will be withdrawals before the horses are called to the post, but it is assured that the field will set a new record for the number of starters. It was in 1920 that a record number of seventeen went to the post and that year Paul Jones was winner, under the silks of Ral Parr. For days Louisville has been filling up with enthusiasts from all corners of the country and never has there been as notable a gathering of representative men of the turf. With the arrival of a big delegation from New York during the day there was new interest and it is natural that most of them have come on to "root" for one or another of the eastern horses that are engaged. On the even of the great battle a feeling of nervous tension prevails in the rival camps, mingled with an undercurrent of quiet confidence. The various trainers have been under a great strain fir the last month or more and this is only too plainly evident in their manner. They are a tired lot of individuals and they will all be glad when the great contest is over. ALL IN FINE FETTLE. While all of those named to start in the Derby are admittedly at the peak of their training and in superb condition " their trainer:? took no chance of thorn training off. This morning the aspirants were given their final gallops to fit them thoroughly for the great race. Enchantment and Cherry Pie, in the Barn of James Rowe. electrified the work watchers by their remarkably fast trial. The pair of crackers rcgan from the half-mile post and racing close together traversed the first quarter in 23, the three-eighths in 34 and the half mile in 46, with Enchantment a neck in advance of his stablemate. Such dazzling speed for a half mile has seldom been witnessed in a Derby trial. Both colts cooled out nicely. The Rancocas Stables candidate, Zev, which arrived on the scene of action Thursday night, in charge of Dave Leary, was given his first introduction to the battle ground when he was unlimbered for a gallop of three-eighths in 39%. After ■ brief rest the colt was galloped a quarter in 24 and pulled up sound. Local horsemen were favorably Impressed by the appearance of the colt. E. Sande, who will ride him, arrived late Friday. Sam Hildreth, the colts chief trainer, will not be here for the Derby, it was reported. Dave Leary will saddle the colt. Billy Garth, who saddled Paul Jones in his Derby victory, gave Martingale and Golden Rule, the Cosden stables entry, a gallop at three-eighths. Golden Rule went the distance in 35% and Martingale the same distance in 35%. NASSAU LOOKS GOOD. Rialto and Chickvale worked together a half mile in 47% and pulled up strong. Bo McMillan went three-eighths in 36% and appears to be in fine fettle. Nassau galloped a half mile in 48 without much effort and looked better than ever. Aspiration, Ben Blocks chief eandidate, reeled off five-eighths in 1:03, while Better Luck negotiated a similar distance in three-fifths of a second slower time. Anna M. Humphrey appeared to good advantage when she went a half in 47%. Boys Believe M«*. one of E. R. Bradleys stars, showed his fitness by going an easy three-quarters in 1:16%. Chittagong went five-eighths in 1:04%. Such a thing as obtaining hotel accommodation is out of the question and the late comers who had not made early arrangements were sore put to it to find quarters for the night. Other large delegations are due tomorrow morning and while Col. Matt Winn, as usual, has made extraordinary preparations for the handling of the crowd, beautiful Churchill Downs will be all too small to take care of the gathering comfortably. Though there has been an unusual amount of rain recently, the track was in good condition today and, while rain threatened, there is every hope that the going will be good and the skies kind for the greatest of all the Kentucky racing days. Although it was natural to expect that the Preakness, run at Pimlico last Saturday, would afford a good line on the Kentucky Derby, as far as many of the candidates are concerned, it has caused no panic among the trainers who did not start after that prize. They are in no manner afraid of those that showed quality in the Maryland Jockey Clubs big race and they promise to show the folks a thing or two when it comes to the running. WHITNEY COLOR BEARERS. While James Rowe, the younger, named five through the entry box to race for the H. P. Whitney and the Greentree Stable confederacy, it is possible that not more than three of them will be seen at the post. If the entry is cut to three the selections will be Enchantment, Rialto and Chickvale. However, Cherry Pie has been training in a manner that may make him one of the selections for the prize. Cherry Pie was the most fortunate of them all in drawing for post position, when he was assigned No. 3. Enchantment is in No. 12, Chickvale 16, and Rialto and Picketer — the other two — are in 20 and 21. respectively. This is a bit unfortunate, but with some of Continue* «n g pace. . J ! : | , . EVE OF THE BIG RACE Continued from fourth page. those closer to the inside rail looked upon as doubtful starters there will not be a really serious handicap in any position. Another advantage that the outside horses will enjoy that was not theirs at Pimlico is that there is a much longer run to the first turn and a starter from any point has an opportunity to take his position before he reaches the turn. J. S. Cosdens best one — Martingale — is another that was unfortunate, if it proves unfortunate to have an outside position, for he is cut in No. 22, and it is just possible that he will be on the extreme cutside. But the post position question may not cut much of a figure, for reasons already explained, though no matter what scratches there may be the field wiil be cumbered up a bit vith colts that really do not belong in the company. These are started for the purpose of winning a wager that a sure starter could not be named. It was a winter book proposition that invited a bit of sharp practice and it appears that only to win such a bet are at least two of those named overnight in the list. It is to be hoped that no such thing can happen again, but the way it will be positively stopped will be to have no winter book offer such a proposition. While it is inevitable that the ones sent to the post by young James Itowe will be the post favorites, they will not stand out as prominently as favorites have in other years. Excuses are offered for Rialto in the Preakness, and there is reason for some of them, but excuses dont win races and there are those who still look to Walter J. Salmons Vigil, though he was a surprise winner at Iimlico. Of the bona that have been racing in Kentucky there is another that is eastern owned that will have a good following. This one is Frederick Johnsons Nassau. He has been training brilliantly and has shown that he is fit. Then there are others that will pin their faith to Pc-ndcrgasts 13o McMillan. Incidentally both of theue passed through the hands of Maxie Hirseh as two-year olds last year, Bo McMillans last race is not taken seriously by those who have been carefully watching his Derby preparation and it is confidently expected that he will run a much better race tomorrow. Anna M. Humphrey, though her name was sent out overnight, is not looked upon as a sure starter, by any means, and there has been nothing in her races that would warrant sending her to the post. Dave Leary had a real excuse for the Rancocas Stables Zev in the Preakness. He says the colt was kicked at the post, and it is remembered that his race was so far below his showing in both the Paumonok and the Rainbow at Jamaica that many are willing to believe that he will be the best rent on from the East. *
