view raw text
EAST AND WEST RIVALRY — ♦ Kentucky Derby Always Bone of Contention Between Sections. i Whitney Most Consistent Winner from VI- elnity of Seaboard — Bradley Western Standard Bearer. ♦ LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 18— Again the lines are drawn between East and West in the rivalry of the nations turfmen for the Kentucky Derby. With Reigh Count, the favorite, serving as chief colorbearer for the West, the East presents a galaxy of three-year-olds that are considered Reigh Counts leading foes. Friendly guns are now pointed, but when the 0,000 race has been run at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 19, both sections will join in paying homage to a probably great horse. During the many years since the Kentucky Derby has been one of Americas premier racing events this good-natured rivalry between East and West has been an outstanding feature and honors have been fairly well divided with a slight margin in favor of the eastern turfmen. Kentucky, however, has been able to find ample consolation In many of these defeats through the fact that an eastern-owned victor often had been bred in the Blue Grass. The intersectional struggle of recent years was continued with the running of the 1911 Derby, in which Meridian, representing the East, in the colors of R. F. Carman, vanquished the Wests great champion, Governor Gray. In 1912, H. C. Hallenbeck again carried the glory to the East when Worth galloped home ahead of his competitors. T. P. Hayes scored a Blue Grass victory in 1913 with the long shot Donerail, and H. C. Ap-plegates Old Rosebud warmed Kentucky hearts by leading all the way in 1914. In 1915, Harry Payne Whitney upset Derby tradition by winning with Regret, the only filly that ever triumphed in the big race. This eastern victory was followed by similar conquests by John Sanfords George Smith, and Billings and Johnsons Omar Khayyam. In 1918, Exterminator, a Kentucky horse, changed hands shortly before the Derby and won in the colors of W. S. Kilmer, of Bing-hamton, N. Y. Two Kentucky-bred colts then followed with victories in the colors of the invaders. Sir Barton winning for Commander J. K. L. Ross of Canada, and Paul Jones for Ral Parr of Maryland. E. R. Bradleys Behave Yourself scored a Blue Grass victory in 1921, but this was followed by New York triumphs by Benjamin Blocks Morvich and H. F. Sinclairs Zev. Mrs. R. M. Hoots, a western woman, captured the Derby of 1924, but the East countered in 1925 with Gifford Cochrans Flying Ebony. E. R. Bradley again won in 192G with Bubbling Over, and Harry Payne Whitney retaliated in 1927 with Whiskery. Those who have watched Reigh Count in his work this spring at Churchill Downs believe that the post of favoritism rightfully belongs with the West. Mrs. John Hertz great colt is training perfectly in the hands of Bert Michell. Other candidates quartered here are training in a most satisfactory manner, and those which come from the East will find plenty of competition aside from Reigh Count. But the East does hold a decidedly strong hand in the forthcoming Derby. There is George Sloanes Brooms, winner of the Hopeful Stakes ; Harry Payne Whitneys Victorian, a brother of Whiskery ; Adm. Cary T. Graysons 0,000 imported colt Strolling Player, in the master hands of trainer Bob Smith ; W. R. Coes Algernon, A. H. Cosdena Vito, Mrs. Graham Fair Vanderbilts Oh Say and War Flier. E. B. McLeans Toro, Greenock and Time Maker, J. R. Maeombers retee-Wrack, Rancocas Stables Nassak and Mow-lee, Sagamore Stables Scotch and Soda. A. C. Schwartz Sortie, Wheatley Stables Distraction and others with valid claims. All in all, the Kentucky Derby of 1928 promises to be what a Kentucky Derby usually is — a real horse race. »
