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I p ol of P V F, b m Blue Larkspur Out of Derby « Withdrawal of Bradley Star From American Derby Startling News From East — Great Field Still Remains « The first damper put on the running of the American Derby at Washington Park came today in the announcement from New York that Blue Larkspur, winner the Belmont Stakes, would not be a starter. Without him next Saturdays Derby still will bring to the post possibly the greatest field of three-year-olds that will face the barrier in any single event this vear, but the necessary withdrawal of the winner of the Withers and Belmont Stakes takes from the American Derby the colt that would have been favorite to beat Clyde Van Dusen, Naishapur, Karl Eitel, Windy City and the other prominent starters on a fast track. This much was conceded to Blue Larkspur after he won "the Belmont Stakes. In Blue Larkspurs absence Clyde Van Dusen probably will be the publics choice. He appears certain to be in the event of a muddy track. The failure of Blue Larkspur to come on for the Derby may really result in a larger field going to the post, as there is a chance that two or three will start which might not have been sent to the post with Blue Larkspur included. His absence leaves the race a much more open affair. Jack High, which went down in defeat before the Bradley star in the Belmont Stakes, was said several days ago by his owner, G. D. Widener, to be a certain starter, and it is believed he will be on his way here by today. African, which finished second to Blue Larkspur, also is an eligible and he ran such a good race Saturday that owner R. T. Wilson may decide to send him after the big Washington Park prize. The other eligibles that were in the Belmont are H. P. Whitneys Beacon Hill and W. J. Salmons Dr. Freeland, but they are now regarded as certain starters. Todays Derby Trial at Washington Park attracted a very small field, there having been only four in the overnight entries. But three of the four are regarded as very strong factors in the Derby running. They are Windy City, Naishapur and Minotaur. The fourth is Judge Hay and the race, his first very hard test, will determine whether he really is good enough to go along with such a field. His owner, C. W. Hay, thinks he is and so far the colt has done everything that has been asked of him. The Derby Trial, which is at one mile and an eighth, may serve to erase a lot of uneasiness about Naishapur, the colt whose name was on the tongue of every sportsman Continued on twenty-fourth page. BLUE LARKSPUR WITHDRAWN Continued from first page. in the country a short time ago. With Blue Larkspur out, it is very likely that Naishapur would have been destined for favoritism in Saturdays race but for his failure in the Fairmount Derby last week. This failure is yet unexplained. His trainer said that Naishapur apparently was as fit as ever when he went to the post. If he wins today, or runs another of his good races, he will win back a lot of the support he enjoyed a short time ago. but decisive defeat in this Derby Trial would make it appear that he has really definitely slipped from the form which made him the winner of the Tijuana Derby and such a strong contender in both the Coffroth Handicap and the Kentucky Derby. In the event of his defeat, unless he happens to make one of his spectacular finishes from his customary slow start, thousands of original Naishapur fans will look to such colts as Karl Eitel, winner of the Fairmount Derby; Jack High and the winner of todays Derby Trial to make the race interesting for Clyde Van Dusen. Col. M. J. Winn, as he views the American Derby propect, is more emphatic than ever regarding the certainty of a brilliant struggle before more people than ever before witnessed a race between thoroughbreds on a Chicago course. "It should be greater than this years Kentucky Derby." remarked Colonel Winn. "Conditions make this more than probable. It may, in fact, be one of the most remarkable contests ever witnessed in this country. The sifting out process, developments since the running of the Churchill Downs classic and improved form of certain contenders justify the predicition I make." Naishapur and Minotaur both worked out this morning in preparation for the Derby trial. Naishapur, evidently going in his best way, breezed five-eighths of a mile in 1:01%. Minotaur went a half mile in :482f,, handily. No other works of Derby candidates were recorded Sunday or today.
