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I 1 : j . , , DERBY CHOICE UNDER GUARD I Elaborate Precautions Taken to Pro- tect American-Owned Orwell, Epsom Derby Favorite. Special Cablegram. LONDON, England, May 26.— When the final list of acceptances for the Derby is • published few startling surprises are ex- ] pected, as all the more fancied candidates j probably will be included. The Derby, run I over the world-famous Epsom course of one ] mile and a half, is set for decision next Wednesday. In the callover of the Derby card at the | Victoria Club, Orwell, owned by the Anglo- | American sportsman W. Mortimer G. Singer, remained a firm first choice, the best offer , against the Irish-bred horse being 15 to 8. He is the heaviest played favorite in the future books since 1919, when the Two Thousand Guineas winner, The Panther, went to the post in the Derby at 6 to 5, only to j fail to finish in the money. Coupled at 100 to 8, Lord Roseberys New- i market Stakes winner, Miracle, and Lord Woolavingtons Cockpen, are second choices. Marcel Boussacs French-bred colt Hesperus is quoted at 100 to 7, while the Guineas runner-up, Dastur, one of the Aga Khans strong hand, won support at 100 to 6. April the Fifth, owned and trained by the well-known actor, Tom Walls, has come into favor, the best price now available on the son of Craig-an-Eran being 18 to 1. Bracketed at 33 to 1 are the Aga Khans Firdaussi, Somerville, Tattersalls Spenser, a stablemate of Orwell, and J. Thompsons Portofino. The Duke of Marlboroughs recent purchase, Andrea, was offered at 40 to 1. A few wagers at 50 to 1 were made on Sir Lawrence Philipps Wyvern, the Marquis de San Miguels Corolario and the Aga Khans Bulandshar. Mrs. L. Rihils Rolling Rock was offered at 66 to 1. These are precarious days at Manton, where a special day and night guard does duty outside the favorite Orwells stable to insure him against injury. The greatest precautions must be taken to safeguard a horse on which so much depends. There has been a rumor for some time that an attempt was made to dope the colt before he won the Two Thousand Guineas. It was alleged that a man was walking about the paddock at Newmarket with a syringe with which to commit the deed. This sensational plot may not have been the first of its kind in recent months in England. More than one owner and trainer has been astounded by the sudden loss of form of horses considered virtual racing certainties. There is much anxiety where the Derby choice Orwell is quartered. To i his trainer, Joe Lawson, the matter is of grave concern. But Orwell goes on his way unperturbed and continues to gallop with zest every day on Wiltshire Downs. He should strip in perfect racing trim for the [ turfs greatest race.
