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INTEREST IN MATCH RACE 9 Papyrus and his Trainer, Basil Jarvis, Win American Hearts. . ." 9 Regret .Expressed Over Inability of Owner Ben Irish to Risk Trip Across Atlantic on Account of HI Health. 0 NEW YORK, N. Y., Oct. 11. Interest in the coming International Race between the Epsom Derby winner Papyrus and Zev at Belmont Park on Saturday, Oct. 20, for 00,-000, has been heightened by the arrival on the scene of action of the English colt, who is now taking his gallops within twenty miles of New York witji as much freedom as when he strode over the heath at Newmarket. Papyrus and his trainer, Basil Jarvis, have won the hearts of the New York racing contingent ; the classic winner by his fine temper, bloodlike quality and adaptability to his new environment, while the young English trainer has made friends by his willingness to gratify the wishes of a public whose judgment in a desire to see Papyrus has at times encroached on the limits of hospitality. None of those who came at. a reasonable hour has been denied the privilege of looking over the lithe son of Tracery, whose coming struggle with Zev has set two continents by the ears. It is a pity that the fates have decreed that Benjamin Irish, the owner of Papyrus, cannot risk the trip across the Atlantic to receive the homage his sportsmanship so richly merits, for from the moment that negotiations for the race were entered upon he has been steadfast in his resolve to meet the promoters of the contest half way. When the most powerful sort of pressure was brought to bear on him to decline the invitation extended for a race between Papyrus and an American rival, Mr. Irish refused to abrogate his promise to consider the matter. He had given his word and that settled it. It was the same when efforts were made to purchase the colt, first by J. B. Joel, who offered 00,000 for the Derby winner, and later by a syndicate that was prepared to go to the limit in order to keep Papyrus in England. Mr. Irish had promised that he would not sell while the race was pending, but it wasnt until the agreement with the Westchester Racing Association was signed at Doncaster on the night befoie the St. Leger that the endeavor to buy the colt was abandoned. It is difficult to understand the motives behind the move to block this race, which has aroused more comment and received a greater degree of publicity than any like contest in the history of the turf. That many Englishmen believe that the defeat of Papyrus would be harmful to British bloodstock interests is undoubted. It has been so stated by some of the leading racing and breeding experts and critics of the turf over their signatures and it has been voiced in private by those in the highest places. Continued on eleventh page. INTEREST IN MATCH RACE Continued from first page. Lord Lonsdale, a steward of the Jockey Club, is one of those who regretted the departure of Papyrus for our shores. In his opinion the Derby winner will not have a chance to show his best form. This belief was maintained despite the showing made by Whiskbroom II., Borrow and many other horses that came from England and ran to their best form when only a couple of weeks off the Atlantic. That Papyrus is exactly the type to make the journey was called to the attention of Lord Lonsdale, who declared that a candidate for such a test should leave England in the autumn in order to become thoroughly acclimatized for a campaign in the spring. As the pick of the English three-year-olds are nominated for the Derby, Two Thousand Guineas and other fixtures decided in the spring, there would never be a chance to see a classic winner in action against an American competitor under Lord Lonsdales plan. The fact that the United States has repeatedly sent good horses abroad to take their chances with climatic and other conditions supposed to be inimical, has had little or no weight with those seeking for a vulnerable point in the armor of Ben Irish, who has turned a deaf ear to the verbal appeals and ignored the hundreds .of letters of protest that have come to him at his home. Everybody at Belmont Park on Oct. 20 will regret that the man from Sawtry, whose clear blue eyes and ruddy complexion seem to indicate a state of health his physicians say he does not possess, is not to be on hand to note the warmth and spontaneity of the reception his colors will receive on that occasion. He will be represented by his counsel, James Whitssd of Peterboro, and other friends. Everything now depends upon the state of the weather on the day of the race. If it is fine the attendance should be of generous proportions and the chance of the Westchester Racing Association having a profit as a reward for their enterprise should be good. There is the risk of the weather to be run, however, and those who have been busy figuring prospective profits might revise their calculations after considering the situation in all its phases. It will cost the Westchester Racing Association 00,000 or more to open its gates on Oct. 20, taking one expense with another. It must not be forgotten that a large sum will pass to the Empire City Rac- ing Association for the use of one of its most profitable Saturdays. Advertising, ticket distribution, policing and other incidental charges will make a total that will eat a large hole in any profits that may accrue. New York is a city noted for the size and number of its hotels, but it would be well for those from out of town who intend witnessing the race to make early reservations. This applies for tickets to the course as well as hotel accommodations. Personally conducted parties are being organized in England to make the journey and practically every city in this country will have its quota of enthusiasts who will be on hand to witness the race of the century.
