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EARLY REQUESTS FOR BOXES American Derby Day Reservations Indicate Unusual Interest. Judge C. W. Hay Predicts Record Crowd Will Witness Feature Race at Washington Park. Judge C. W. Hay, manager of Washington Park Jockey Club, returning from Agua Caliente, found awaiting him in his office, at 31 East Congress street, an accumulation of mail, all relating to the thirty-day meeting opening May 26. Many of the communications concerned the reservation of boxes for the American Derby, to be run Saturday, June 14. Judge Hay said: "Assuredly an indication of unusual interest, never manifested so far in advance in other years. These requests are from different parts of the country, but twenty-five are from Chicagoans. One is from across the sea, signed by a London sportsman, Mac-donald Waite. Incidental reference indicates that he witnessed the race several years ago. It is worth while to say that an invitation has been extended to the Earl of Derby to attend the renewal of the American Derby. The distinguished English turfman and statesman is, on the occasion of the running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 17, to be a guest of Col. M. J. Winn. We should be honored if his lordship finds it convenient to avail himself of our desire." "The early manifestation of enthusiasm over this years American Derby leads me to predict that it will be witnessed by the greatest crowd ever attracted to a Chicago race track. I shall not be surprised if 00,000 persons are within the enclosure of Washington Park the day this Derby is decided. I believe that we are to have a test of our capacity, which means that even now we are formulating plans for a greater Washington Park before the opening of the Worlds Fair." "While at AguaCaliente many persons informed me they intended to come to Chicago for the American Derby. Special rates on the railroads will be made from San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Pacific coast sportsmen keep aglow a sentiment that has long existed in California, due to the sensational American Derby victory of C. H. Todd and the prominent part "Lucky" Baldwins horses played in the early history of the race. "California will be represented in our Derby field. Baron Long has an eligible in Hatrick, son of Hand Grenade Blind Beauty, a half brother of Ervast, which he will send to B. B. Williams to be prepared for the Kentucky as well as the Washington Park feature. Although Hatrick finished fourth in the Agua Caliente Derby, he was beaten only a length and a half, and would have won with ordinary racing luck. "Raoul Walsh intends to send Greyola, great daughter of Grey Lag Cola, to start in the American Derby and Illinois Oaks. Continued on tenth cmge. I EARLY REQUESTS FOR BOXES Continued from first page. She will be sent to the post by J. A. Coburn. Edward Ccbrian will bring Timour, chestnut son of Infinite War Witch. In stake races other than the Derby, he will have several starters." Judge Hay, who keeps in close touch with the trials of eligibles in both the Kentucky and American Derbys, thinks the renewals this year will result in exceptional developments. He has good reports respecting the form of Walter J. Salmons Swinfield, black son of Swinburne Careful ; Belair Studs Gallant Fox, son of Sir Gallahad III. Marguerite ; W. R. Coes Caruso, son of Poly-melian Sweet Musis; William Zieglers Spinach, son of Sir Martin Sweet Thyme, and Burton and Wards Dedicate, son of Dodge On Time.
