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Considerable American Interest in Epsom Derby Two Prominent Turfmen Haye Starters; Johnny Longden to Ride By VERNON MORGAN Reuters Sports Editor LONDON, England, May 31. The United States will have considerable interest in the one hundred and seventy-fifth renewal of the Derby Stakes, greatest event on the British racing calendar, to be run on Epsoms historic Downs, before Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh and a crowd of some 250,000 this Wednesday. Not only has Johnny Longden, Americas English-born wizard of the saddle, come across to ride for the first time in an Epsom Derby, but the silks of two prominent American turfmen, Walter M. Jeffords and Robert Sterling Clark, are expected to figure prominently in the running. Longden, three times national champion Continued on Page Thirty-Seyen U. S. Alfaf In Epsom Derby Two Prominent Owners Have Starters; Longden to Ride Alberta Ranches Blue Sail Continued from Page One and rated one of the top-notch American jockeys for many years, will be astride Alberta Ranches Irish-raised Blue Sail, a son of Tehran, owned by the Canadian partnership of Max Bell, Frank McMahon, Wilder Ripley and Vance Longden. Ambler TX, once regarded as the main United States hope of winning the Derby, will not be in the line-up, it was announced today. The three-year-old colt is owned by William Woodward, whose late father tried for 30 years to win the famous race. Blue Sail,, a brown, rangy three-Year-old, went "like a bomb" when Longden had his first workout on him over The Curraghl moors, County Kildare, this week. Amer- j icas tiny saddle star rated his Epsom chances as "good," enthusiastically saying, "Boy, oh boy, he does travel!" Against the Canadian-owned, Irish-bred and American-ridden combination is the sheer fact that Longden has never ridden at Epsom before. The stiff, uphill climb from the start to the top of, the hill, the hectic jostling for good positions as the field rushes down into the notorious Tat-tenham Corner with its sharp left-hand turn will be conditions Longden has never encountered on Americas racing ovals. The left-handed track will suit Long-dens short-rein, crouching style. The veteran American has the great riding ability to overcome Epsoms twists and turns if Blue Sail is good enough. Will he be? That is the 4 question. His owners certainly have no doubts in that respect. They have already sent out invitations to a celebration party at a London hotel. Ambler II. Finished Fast in Last Two Wins Blue Sail stepped quietly aboard a special plane at Dublin today for the short flight to London. The colt, who carries jl ion auu viiuauiau Aiufco iui viuiuiji xn Britains premier race, was rated well down the list at 100 to 6 by British bookmakers. Just over two weeks ago it seemed very probable that the Belair Stud would succeed with Ambler II., where the late William Woodward Sr.s Prince Simon had so narrowly failed in. 1950. In two wins of one mile and one mile and 110 yards, the latter at Epsom, the son of Ambiorix II., burst from behind and sailed past his opponents with majestic ease. Then came failure behind Rowston Manor in Lingfield Parks Derby Trial. On slippery going he slithered and scratched along 12 lengths behind the winner and left his Newmarket stable dumbfounded. He had to be snatched up when a horse fell in front of him at Lingfield and, following two disappointing home workouts, his supporters are claiming he has lost his confidence. The two American hopes are Walter Jeffords Blue Prince II. and Robert S. Clarks Never Say Die. The pair are generally rated as the two best longshots in the race. Blue Prince II., a stablemate of Ambler TJ., has been showing up impressively in home workouts. This son of Princequillo, sire of Prince Simon, was a winner at Epsom over six furlongs as a two-year-old. He was sent to England as a yearling by Jeffords with the intent of winning the Derby. .After winning the Duke of York Handicap at Londons Kempton Park, his handler, Captain Boyd-Rochfort, stated he would not be saddled at Epsom, but revised stable plans certainly hint that Blue Prince II. has shown his famous trainer something significant at home. Seasoned jockey Fred Hunter, best product of Epsom trainer Stanley Woottons school of jockeys, will ride Blue Prince TJ. Never Say Die Working Well Never Say Die, by Nasrullah, who is now at stud in the States, has been going excellently in his workouts since finishing a close-up third in the 10-furlong Newmarket Stakes earlier this month. Before this he had finished in the ruck of the Free Handicap field for which he started favorite. Young English saddle star, Lester Pig-gott, is to ride Never Say Die, who is sure to be the longshot choice of many, such is the following this vigorous youngster commands. i As the runners, expected to number just over 20, come bounding round Tattenham Corner and up the home straight of the 12-furlong race a very large percentage of the crowd will be looking for the royal colors. The purple and gold are being carried by Queen Elizabeths colt, Landau, who is one of the best-backed horses in the race, not only on account of sentiment but by performance. Though this black son of Dante may not start favorite for the big professional money, there is little doubt the average small punter will have his trifle on the Queens horse. And it can be counted for certain that there will be many in Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon and the other Empire countries which Her Majesty recently visited who will be having their flutter on the royal colt.
