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BIG INTERNATIONAL RACE OF 00,000 TODAY j Largest Attendance in History of American Turf Expected to Witness the First Contest on Record Between an Epsom Derby Winner and an American Horse in This Country Zev Finally Decided Upon as the American Defender Against Papyrus After Vague Rumors of My Own Being Substituted at Eleventh Hour -Because of Reported Illness of Rancocas Star 3 : NEW YORK, N. Y., Oct. 19. The eve of the International race between Papyrus and Zev finds this great metropolitan city on the verge of hysterics. Never before .on the eve of any of the big sporting events that have been held here has there been more interest, excitement and uncertainty than has marked the last twenty-four hours in connection with tomorrows world talked-of horse race, to be run at Belmont Park before an attendance that is expected to surpass all previous records in this country. The interest in the race was natural. It has been a much discussed topic here and abroad ever since the announcement of August Belmont that Benjamin Irish had accepted his offer to ship his great colt Papyrus to this country to race for a prize of 1100,000 against an American three-year-old to be selected by a committee of the Jockey Club. The excitement has been as intense as the interest displayed in the race. First there was the selection of the American defender. Zev was the logical candidate at first, but the remarkable showing of My Own and the inability of the Jockey Club committee to bring the two together to decide which was entitled to represent this country failed to lessen the interest or excitement. Then came the selection of Zev. Later, after a disappointing trial, rumors came thick and fast that Zev was not doing so well in his training. Then the climax Thursday. Zev was out of it and My Own was coming to take his place. That was the wild rumor circulated and caused all the last-hour uncertainty. Now that is gone, but the excitement and interest remain, for it was positively announced that Zev, the star three-year-old colt of the Rancocas Stable, will carry Americas colors against Papyrus in the International race tomorrow. The Jockey Club made this announcement late this afternoon, officially dispelling the wild rumors and reports current throughout the day that My Own, Admiral Cary T. Graysons colt, would replace Zev because the latter had met with a mishap in training. The committee of the Jockey Club in a statement declared that following a careful inspection of the colt it was found that he was in fit condition to race against Papyrus. The following statement was issued: "The committee of the Jockey Club decided this afternoon that Zev, its original choice, is in fit condition to race. The first intimation that anything was amiss with Zev came Thursday afternoon after Harry F. Sinclair, owner of the horse, called the attention of the committee to the condition which threatened to prevent the colt from keeping his engagement. "After a careful inspection of the horse by the committee this morning and on the opinion of the veterinarian treating him the conclusion has been reached that Zev is fit to race. . "The committee felt that it was necessary to take precautionary measures and decided to have its substitute candidate, My Own, on the grounds. "Admiral Cary T. Grayson consented to this and the colt was shipped by special train this morning and is due to arrive at Belmont Park at 4:30 this afternoon." The committee, which again approved the selection of Zev, consists of Major August Belmont, Joseph E. Widener, R. L. Gerry and Walter S. Vosburgh.
