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Rate Derby No 7 Sports Spectacle SpectacleOver Over 700000 Will View Running Usual Louisville Hospitality Evident Again AgainCHURCHILL CHURCHILL DOWNS Louisville Ky April 30 As colorful and exciting a con ¬ test spectacle as the Kentucky Derby it has to share interest with the huge crowd which is converging on Louisville today for the eightieth running of Americas blue ribbon race classic here Saturday SaturdayAll All recent Derbys have seen more than 100000 people from all over the continent gather for the stake and this year is no exception The people themselves make a colorful component of the over all Derby picture For the most part the Derby was the sole topic of conversation a topic which has been heightened this year be j cause of the element of suspense which has been present for more than a month and which continues right up to post time There is no prohibitive favorite as was the defeated Native Dancer last year or the winning Citation in 1948 1948Still Still Want to Be Present PresentThe The vast increase of television coverage which now extends from coast to coast and border to border seemed to have no effect upon stemming the tidal wave of people en ¬ gulfing Louisville This more than 100000 gathering wants to see the race for them ¬ selves and be in effect part of the Derby itself itselfThere There were three main modes of trans ¬ portation the airplane the railroad and the motor car Plane travel was reported at a high peak with extra flights being carded by all airlines serving Louisville Continued on Page Thirteen Rate Derby No 1 Sports Spectacle SpectacleOver Over 100000 Will View Running Usual Louisville Hospitality Evident Again AgainContinued Continued from Page One Onespecials specials carded from the East Coast with equipment borrowed in some instances from other airlines airlinesBut But even with the great number of flights arriving momentarily the railroad excursion has seemingly lost none of its popularity Like the steamship line going to Europe which advertises getting there is half the fun the rail specials have a faithful clientele who enjoy the trip the preDerby en route festivities and the aftermath rolling home running and re ¬ running the race These special trains originate mostly on the Atlantic seaboard in Chicago and in midwestern and Texas cities to the South and West One special which has the distinction of coming from the farthest distance is that sponsored by Jack G Dempsey of Los Angeles which made the trip to Louisville via Las Vegas and Denver DenverThe The Dempsey Kentucky Derby tour 4s really the last word in pre and afterderby excitement with a stop in Las Vegas and another in Chicago ChicagoIn In addition to the trains there were a number of bus specials from points not too far distant including Chicago ChicagoThe The private motor car of course and as always was legion City and state police were working overtime to expedite traffic to Louisville Saturday they will do the same toward getting motorists to the vi ¬ cinity of Churchill Downs and after the Derby speeding them on their way to wherever they might be going State traffic patrolmen were stationed at strategic points leading to Louisville In the city itself extra police also were on duty dutySystem System of OneWay Streets StreetsSaturday Saturday a special system of one way streets will be established and if past experience is any criterion motorists will get to the track with an absolute minimum of delay These one way streets will be reversed to lead away from the track late Saturday afternoon Several thousand signs have been posted pointing out the short ¬ est way to Churchill Downs Special no parking signs have been erected at certain points and these will be strictly enforced The one way street system will be clearly marked The Louisville authorities say that people would get to the track more quickly if they left their cars especially in the downtown area and avail themselves of public bus transportation to the track gates gatesThe The tens of thousands of visitors have encountered old fashioned and traditional southern hospitality Downtown Louisville is a riot of color with bunting and other decorations some business establishments put up lavish and intriguing Derby dis ¬ plays in their windows and most all estab ¬ lishments had signs put welcoming Derby visitors visitorsThe The prerace excitement which a Derby always seems to generate was quite in evi ¬ dence again this year and the people did not have to go far to find it The big hotels had special entertainment and the towns restaurants all were doing a rushing busi ¬ ness While the leading hotels in the city were full many of the rooms being re ¬ served year to year thousands found sleep ¬ ing accommodations in private homes Most places kept prices at a minimum al ¬ though some restaurants raised prices with the explanation that Derby visitors were not content with anything less than the best bestWhile While the police like everybody here for the Derby to have a good time they frown on rowdyism and real trouble However there were very few so called incidents noted The overwhelming percentage of the people were just good citizens out for a good time and getting it itWhile While the swelling of the crowds has been noticeable since the week end not all of it is here Some trains and planes were not due in until Saturday morning And the thousands of folks who live nearby es ¬ pecially from across the river in Indiana in Cincinnati and in Lexington start to drive to Louisville early Saturday morning morningThe The crowd is slow to arrive at the track and while several thousand will be on hand when the gates open in the morning other thousands will arrive before noon Perhaps 75000 will be at the track by one oclock The rest will have arrived by about three in ample time to get located for a Derby position it a vantage point from which to see the race
