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Here and There on the Turf Kentucky Derby Interest. Quatrains Position. A Great Asset to the Turf. Belmont Park Outlook. Probably the greatest crowd that has ever witnessed the running of a Kentucky Derby-will gather at Churchill Downs this afternoon. The manner in which railroad and hotel fa cilities have been overtaxed by enthusiastic Derby pilgrims for several days past is in indication that the congestion at the Louis ville track will be even more pronounced than in other years. The open character of the race has aroused a wider public interest than usual. The three year olds that will face the bar rier in the Kentucky Derby this afternoon a, pear, generally speaking, to be well below the average of recent years in class. Several of the presumed most formidable of the eligible* have been beaten by second and third rate older horses within the last week. The only one of the prominent candidates that has not been so disgraced is Quatrain and he has not started since he defeated a mediocre band in the Louisiana Derby at Jefferson Park. But the clas« of the 1925 three year olds is seemingly rather even and there is so much uncertainty as yet regarding the ultimate rating in the division that almost every horse in the overnight entry list has his partisans. The value of the Kentucky Derby to the American turf canmt be disputed. To the glamor that surrounds this great fixture may be attributed much of the popularity of racing in this country. There are few owners that would not prefer a Kentucky Derby victory to almost any other stake race victory that could come their way. The little group that gathers about the stove in the country store to discuss topics of the hour may not touch upon hors? racing once in six months, but when Kentucky Derby day approaches each spring, that is one of the main topics of discussion. In the club cars of the great transcontinental trains big business men are discussing the Derby today. In the lobbies of hotels, in the street cars, elevated trains and other public conveyances, in every place in the country where people gather, somelhing will be paid about the Derby today. The value of a fixture like this to the turf is beyond dispute. Where the average stake race, even if it possesses value equal to that of the Kentucky Derby, is of interest to hundreds, the Kentucky race is of interest to thousanils. People whr have never seen a horse race will read the story of the Ken tucky Derby wiih interest and this fact has had much to do with the growing popularity of the sport in recent years. The Kentucky Derby is possibly the best example of turf tradition in this country. If the value cf the Derby dropped far below its present generous figures, if there were a half dozen three year old stake races in the country that were more richly endowed each year, it is extremely doubtful whether that fact would affect the general popularuy of the race to any extent. The general public, reading in the newspapers of the running of a 150,000 stake race of recent crigin. will accord the account only the cursory attention usually given to matters of no particular interest. But any story re garding the Kentucky Derby is devoured eager ly. even by those to whom the patois of the turf is foreign and puixling. Many ardent racegoers can trace their first interest in the sport to reading of a Kentucky Derby, or to overhearing a conversation regarding a renewal of this long established stake race. Quatrains chief claim to fame rests upon his v.ctory in the New Orleans Handicap. In that event he defeated several horses which had earned ratings among the leading handi cap racers of the country. He won the race with the greatest of ease after he was appar ently hopelessly far back in the running. Quatrain may or may not be a great thorough pared with him. If the Johnson colt is as fit a colt in the Derby field that can be com pared with him. If the Johnson colt i" as fit this afternoon as he was when he passed the pacemakers in the stretch to win the New Orleans Handicap, he is going to justify the confidence with which he has be?n supported in the future books. Whether Quatrain or some other hore is the winner of the fifty first Kentucky Derby it promises to be a great contest and a won derful spectacle. Each year more recruits to the sport are attracted by the glamor of th; Kentucky Derby. The first meeting of the metropolitan cam paign is entering upon its final phase. Bel mini! Park, resplendent in new paint and more richly appointed than any other metropolitan course, will throw open its gates next Friday for its first meeting under th? direction of the ! new Westchester Association president, Joseph E. Widener. The many improvements that have been completed s:nc? the Nassau County course , closed its gates last fall should add greatly to the attractiveness of the plant from the stand | . point of the spectators. The plant and grounds , have been beautified and a fine new building has replaced the unsightly wooden structures j that formerly housed the jockey room and the j secretarys office. Belmont Park is the most modern of American race courses. It is now among the most complete and best appointed. The big feature of the Belmont Park meet ing is the Belmont Stakes. This will be run on the closing day of the meeting, June 13, and it ■ possible that the three year old stars which went wrong in preparation for the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes will be in condition to compete in the last of the great spring races for three year olds. Masfr Charlie, which is reported to be ready for train- ! , | , j j r ; . ■ ing again, is not among the eligibles, but the Preakness Stakes winner. Coventry, is in the list. The Cochran colts injury is not as serious as had been reported and it is possible that the skill of William Duke will bring him to the post for the Belmont Stakes. Quatrii » lis also eligible and the expensive G. F. Crois-jsant purchase, Kentucky Cardinal, is also in the list. The Belmont Stakes seldmon attracts a large field. By that time the weaker three-year olds have been eliminated from serious consideration for the championship and there are few horses in the field that do not appear to have a good chance for victory. This makes for a better contest, because there is no dead wood to clutter up the field and to prevent the race from being decided strictly on its merits. This years running of the race may attract a larger field than usual, however, because of the fact that the three year olds appear even now so evenly matched. In any case, it is likely that the running will have an important bearing on the three year old championship.
