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f 1 Derby Day at New Washington Park — Notes and Gossip : i» — * HOMEWOOD, 111., June 15. Louisvilles main delegation, which was an fcxu-nsive one, came by special train. The sulance guard came by automobiles. Robert Maestri and Placide Frigerio, prominently identified with the Jefferson Park track in New Orleans, were visitors from She Crescent City. The American Turf Association, with Its full directorate, presided over by former United States Senator J. N. Camden, held a meeting in the executive office of Col. Matt J. Winn at Washington Park before the rating. They were later the guests of Sir. Winn at a luncheon. Principal business transacted at the meeting was the declaring •f the annual dividend. A tallyho, with its red-coated driver and bugler, lent a touch of old-time Washington Park color when it arrived with a bevy of Soung ladies and their escorts, costumed in the mode of 1900. C. Bruce Head, general manager of the Fuirmount Park track, came here to witness the running of the American Derby, and returned to St Louis Saturday night President Lyman T. Hay of the Fairmount Park track was another visitor. He headed a big delegation of Mound City racing enthusiasts, who came to view the big race. Karl Kitels absence in the race was due to illness. The colt had shown some excellent preliminaries, and Alderman John J. Coughlin had high hopes of the colt repeating his Fairmount Park triumph. The owner had the sympathy of the big crowd in his failure to send his star to the barrier. The ,000 silver trophy replica of Christopher Columbus flagship was an object of much admiration. It had been placed on exhibition in the space in front of the stewards •land dividing the grandstand and club house structures. Lieutenant governor Fred Sterling of Illinois headed a party of notables and presented the silver trophy on behalf of the Washing-Ion Park Jockey Club to the winner of the American Derby. Willie Garner, who came from New York to ride Clyde Van Dusen, had appeared und?r colors on Chicago courses in other years. It was his first appearance at Washington Park. Be appeared early at the jockeys room and was an object of interest to several of the apprentices. He left Saturday night for New York to ride Monday at Aqueduct. The failure of W. R. Coes ten racers to arrive from Belmont Park mystified Joseph McLennan, racing secretary. William Greaves, the Coe agent had telephoned him that the consignment would leave New York in ample time to reach Washington Park for the Derby engagement of Dail and Igloo. Stalls bad been reserved and all arrangements haa been made for the reception of the racers. Joe McLennan regretted the belated arrival ©f the glorious weather. Had it been apparent at the time entries were made for Derby Day racing the Black Hawk and Woodlawn Handicaps would have filled satisfactorily. Horsemen with material available for these •vents shared the secretarys regret McLennan has suffered no small degree of agony at the current meeting because of the weather end unfit condition of horses he had placed ©n the preferred list. He feels that his troubles in this connection are over. The first train, leaving at 9 :30 oclock from Randolph Street, drawn by an electric loco motive, had on board hundreds of pari-mu-tuel employees, scores of "early birds" taking no chance on missing desirable vantage points for viewing the days events. In the throng was Col. M. J. Winn, his face as radiant as the rays of the sun. "The beginning of a perfect day," said the colonel. It looked as if everybody wished to congratulate him. When he got to his office he found an armful of roses on his desk. John J. Coughlin, Chicagos First Ward Alderman for nearly thirty years, is unable to thrust aside the jinx that persists In hovering over his turf activities. He had centered on winning the Kentucky Derby with Roguish Eye, which lost by inches to High Strung in the Belmont Futurity last Fear. In preparation for the Kentucky classic, this one went wrong. Meanwhile he was hopeful of seeing this brilliant performer win the American Derby. It was found impossible to get him ready. Karl Kitel, stable-mate of Roguish Eye, surprised in winning the Fairmount Derby. After having attained the peak oT condition for the WasMntloa Park feature, he gave Alderman Coughlin an illustration of the continued presence f a hoodoo. There is sympathy aplenty for "The Path," who is one of the most enthusiastic ©f Chicagos turfmen. J. N. tamden, referring to his brilliant filly Rose of Sharon, a sure starter next Saturday in the Illinois Oaks, said : "She is a bear. Many think she is the greatest. I am inclined to agree, but it is pleasing that others crown her as queen. I believe the Illinois Oaks, which is at a mile and an eighth, will be one of the outstanding races of the year." Prominent among those who came from Louisville were : Charles F. Jones, cashier of the National Bank of Kentucky ; Brent Overstreet, Benjamin S. Washer, Loth notable lawyers; Mrs. Washer, Mr. and Mrs. James Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Herrmann, Charles H. Haggerty, Bert Humler. and others. Dr. Granville S. Haynes. noted Kentucky specialist, whose home is in Louisville, and who never misses a Kentucky Derby, was present. The gates to the infield were thrown op.n shortly after the fourth raee and the public took advantage and filed in by the thousands to secure what vantage points there were to view the Derby running. Three tractors and many horse-drawn harrows were used on the course after the fourth race to improve the going for the Derby running.
