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PROSPECTIVE FIELD OF SIX « Only Half a Dozen Probable Starters Remain for Derby. ♦ Naishapur, Minotaur and Knrl Eitel Expected to Furnish Brilliant Contest In Rich Fairmount Derby. • — COLLINSVILLE, 111., May 30.— Five colta and a filly now seems to form the probable field for the Fairmount Derby whieli will be decided Saturday. Of the 117 three-year-olds originally nominated, only half a dozen prospective ones are likely to strive for the 0,000 prize. This is somewhat unusual in view of the fact that the Kentucky Derby winner, Clyde Van Dusen, the Preaknesa Stakes winner. Dr. Freeland, and the Withers Stakes winner, Blue Larkspur, are absentees. A trio of stalwarts in the three-year-old brigade, Naishapur. Karl Eitel and Minotaur, are scheduled to start and insure a brilliant contest. Naishapur was the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and Minotaur was the runner-up in the Preakness Stakes. Both are considered of championship timber by their owners and a big following who hold that a slight change in racing luck would have enabled them to have respectively reversed the order of the finish, in the Kentucky and Preakness fixtures. There is a vast amount of additional interest as to the respective merits of the pair. Naishapur, because of his California triumphs in which he accounted for the Tijuana Derby and finished a close second to Gold Prince in the rich Coffroth Handicap, and his subsequent second to Clyde Van Dusen in the Kentucky Derby, gives him a preponderance of supporters. Minotaurs following, however, are not at all phased by the Callfor-nians popularity. Chicagos hope to win the big plum is not confined to Minotaur, for in Karl Eitel is added strength of no mean ability. In their respective two-year-old performances, Karl Eitel must be given a rating superior to his pair of rivals. He has not been performing to expectations to date, but recent private trials indicate vast improvement in his form and it would not surprise if the J. J. Coughlin youngster finished in front. No advices of trainer Healys Intention with regard to African- has been received, and secretary Campbell has given up the idea that the R T. Wilson representatives will be shipped here. Bather and Jack Haskell are among the announced certain starters in the race, and Thistle Fyrn, now in Lexington, will be shipped here in time to fill her engagement. Minotaur is now enroute here from Chicago by van. It is said that he worked a mile and a quarter yesterday in 2 :08, which was responsible for the heavy support he received in the future book this morning. There is still a possibility that Hal Price Headley will ship Paraphrase here to start in the race. Windy Citys deflection from the race is said to be due to illness, the colt contracting a cold while being shipped to Chicago. Regardless of how small the field which will engage in Saturdays rich prize, it promises to be a gala event here. All available boxes have been disposed of, likewise reserved seats and, taking the advance sale as a barometer, the attendance will probably surpass any former big gathering that haa been at the course on a similar occasion.
