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i f~ * , Here and There ! on the Turf I American Derby. Victorians Chances. Weights for Brooklyn. t Jean Valjeans Debut. i Unrecognized Meetings. * j Immediately after the runniog of the Kentucky Derby, when it was announced that Mrs. John D. Hertz had decided to send Reigh Count East to start in the Pelmont Stakes, to be run on Saturday, 1 June 9, the same day the American Derby was to be decided at Arlington Park, it was feared that Chicagos famous race i might not attract a field worthy of its past glories. Such fears, however, have proved groundless and now virtually on the eve of the great race the prospects c are that ten or twelve of the outstanding stars of the three-year-old division will face the barrier on Saturday. True, Reigh Count, the Kentucky Derby win- ner, will be missing, not only from the ] Derby but the Belmont Stakes as well, an injured leg throwing him out of training until late in the summer or fall. ] Victorian, which carried off the Preak- ness Stakes at Pimlico, is another notable absentee, the "Whitney colt being saved for the Belmont Stakes. Aside from these two, all the colts that have figured prominently in the three-year-old stakec already decided are among the prospective starters in the American Derby. Foremost is the exceptionally speedy Misstep, second in the Kentucky Derby and winner of the Fairmount Derby. Next in the estimation of experts is Toro, with a record of a second in the Preakness Stakes, third in the I :utucky Derby, and second in the Fairmount Derby, a dangerous factor in any race with horses of his own age, Then there is Jack Higgins, winner of the Louisiana Derby and a prominent figure in the Kentucky and Fairmount Derbys. This trio alone would assure a brilliant contest, while additional interest has been aroused by the arrival of the high-priced English colt Strolling Player, which was shipped here after a winning race at Belmont Park, in which he gave striking ; evidence that he had advanced to that : point in his training warranting a belief ! that he will show his real quality in the American Derby. With such others as Reigh Olga, Galahad, Blackwood, Solace, , Lawley, Sea Rip and Typhoon among the other probable starters, there is every ■ reason to expect a contest that will not only please and thrill the big crowd certain - to be present at Arlington Park Saturday, - but likewise be worthy in every r respect to be included in the historical 1 archives of the American Derby, for r many years the most popular and greatest - of Derby races seen in this country. . Although Victorian remained in New v York to race in the Withers Stakes, instead of going to Louisville and racing ; against Mrs. John Hertz Rcight Count, in the Kentucky Derby, he is well on his s way to become the greatest money taming - three-year-old of the year. It seems s to be the general opinion that the son of f Whisk Broom II. will be the winner of f the Belmont Stakes to be run Saturday. i , ! I t i 1 i c ] ] ; : ! , ■ - - r 1 r - . v ; s - s f f No stretch of the imagination can give any of the remaining eligibles a serious chance to take his measure. And this is on private as well as public performance. • With the Preakness Stakes and the Withers Stakes alone Victorian earned 2,300. The Preakness Stakes was the richest in its history when the net value to the winner reached 0,000, while the Withers Stakes netted 2,300 to the winner. Reigh Count, the greatest rival and possible superior of the Whitney colt, has only started twice this year and his first was in an overnight purse and bis second the Kentucky Derby, with a value : of 5,375. The overnight purse had a I value to the winner of ,350, bringing his total for the season up to 6,725. The fact that Reigh Count is denied his chance in the Belmont Stakes will be another serious handicap to both his money and his fame earning prospects. Victorian has many opportunities during the Aqueduct meeting, which begins Monday. He is named among the older horses, in the handicaps, but if he is reserved for his three-year-old engagements he has the Shevlin Stakes, at a mile, with its ,000 added, and the Dwyer Stakes, at a mile and a half, to which 0,000 is added. These dates fall due June 19 and June 30, so that the races are far enough apart to make it easily possible for this colt to race in both with comfort. The weights that have been assigned for the Brooklyn Handicap, at a mile and an eighth, to be decided over the Aqueduct course June 16, has Samuel D. Riddles Crusader at the top of the list with 128 pounds as his impost. It is not to be expected that the son of Man o War will get into any handicap under a better weight arrangement until he is at least sent to the races. From time to time there have been tales of his fitness to race, but he has been held back from racing until it is hard to believe that he is as fit as has been announced. He is entitled to the high place he has been assigned by Mr. Vosburgh, and he is of a class that makes him more or less the property of the public, but there is no disposition to tell anything of the plans for the handsome chestnut. Chance Play has been dropped down from 123 pounds in the Suburban Handicap to 120 pounds in the Brooklyn Handicap and the fact that the Aqueduct race is an eighth shorter will be more to his liking, taking a line through his Suburban Handicap race. Chance Shot is moved up above his older brother when his weight is fixed at 12G pounds, just four pounds more thanhe was asked to take up in the Suburban Handicap. Scapa Flow remains at the 120 pounds he carried third to Dolan and Chance Shot and Kentucky II. is also in at the same notch he had in the Suburban, weights 114 pounds. But Dolan, by reason of winning the Suburban Handicap, is raised nine pounds, placing him in the same notch with Kentucky II., Valorous, Black Maria, and Brown Flash. Victorian rightfully tops the three-year-olds with 112 pounds as his burden. The fact that the Brooklyn Handicap is at a mile and an eighth, against the mile and a quarter of the Suburban Handicap, can readily bring out several changes in the chances, and, on recent form, it would seem that both Chance Play and Chance Shot will do better over this shorter route. J. O. Keenes two-year-old Jean Valjean in his first start, at Belmont Park on Wednesday, gave evidence of the great flight of speed that made him such a sensation of the work hours at Churchill Downs before he was shipped to New York. This son of Stefan the Great and Jeanne Bowdre was under some disad-t vantage in not having been schooled at the barrier since his arrival in New York, and he was suffering with a fever when he was unloaded at the Nassau I County course. In spite of all this he fairly flew away from the barrier, and, while he never drew away materially from Battleship Gray, that colt is also looked upon as something of a sensation himself. It is true they were both beaten by Soul of Honor, but Bob Smith was send-, ing a more seasoned colt to the post. It was only the third start for Battleship Gray and the initial appearance of Jean Valjean. Both of these should improve over this showing and may take a high place in the new crop before the end of .August. It is rather significant that The Jockey Club of New York called attention of horsemen to the rule of racing which disqualifies owners, horses, trainers, jockeys and others participating at any unrecognized meeting just when the proposed meeting at Wilmington was scheduled to begin on Saturday. Perhaps it might be well for the Kentucky Racing Commission and Illinois Turf Association to take similar action when such meetings as the recent Sniitlrville fiasco are advertised.
