The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-14
AMERICAN DERBY.
Interest in the Great Race at
Louisville.
The FaYOritiSm Divided Between Riley
and RObeSpierFe.
Bill LetGher Heavily Backed by Those Who
Know the C0lt-The Smallest
Field for Ten Years.


LOUISVILLE. May 13.-As the great race
for the Derby comes near at hand the in
terest evinced in it is evident on every hand,
and although the prospects seem to indi-
cate that it will be decided on heavy track
this does not lessen IT'S importance one
iota to the almost numberless racing clan
that have gathered and are hourly arriving
in this city. At the track everything is
scene of hustle and activity. At this writ
ing upward of 400 horses are quartered here,
and at least seventy-fiye more will arrive
from Lexington tonight or In the morning.
At the board tonight only six horses are
bulletined as starting in the Derby, making
it the smallest field save in 1880 that has
ever gone TO the post in this classic race.
What is la cking in numbers is made up in
quality, and the field as whole is fairly
good one. sufficient to insure great contest
and determined finish, which should be
to the last moment in doubt.
Riley and Robespierre will divide the fa-
voritism when the track odds are put up to-
morrow. but no horse in the race will be
more heavily backed than Bill Letcher,
whose followers fail to figure how he can
lose. On paper he seems to have a great
chance, his recent work having
been more satisfactory than any
colt rs starter, not even
excepting Riley and Robespierre. Prince
Fonzo has also been going like great guns.
but outside of his stables few believe he
will be able to stick out tile Derby course.
As to Palisade and Outlook, the other two
starters, it is the general opinion that both
are outclassed at the distance and weights.
After viewing the situation, the smart
people say it will be great tussle between
Riley and Robespierre, with the chances in
favor of the former, and if any other
starter beats this pair it will be Bill
Leteher. James b. Ferguson viii be the
Starter during the meeting.
The disease now affecting last years
Derby winner--Spokane-is thought to be
lung fever, and If it does not result fatally
the veterinary surgeon attending him fears
1t VIII unit him for future racing. Trainer
James Murphy. who was thought to have
been fatally injured by fall last SATURDAY.,
is pronounced now out of danger by his
physician.
eys who will ride the Derby starters:
Riley 11S, J. Murphy; Robespierre 11s, I.
kiley; Prince FoUZo 11S, Overton; Pali-
sede lis, Alien; Bill Letcher 1ls. NJ. Lewis;
Outlook lis, Hollis. The weather is cloudy
and threatening tonight.
Pools sold tonight on to-morrow's races
as follows:
First race-General Caldwell, s25: Metric Be-
atrce, S13; Grandpa ann Liberty Bell. siI
each; Laura, Agnes and Sanford. SO each; jay
Jay see, 81; Hindoo Lass, So; VALPARAISO, SO.
Second race-Uncie Bob. 500; Glockner $40;
Fally Queen, s35: Blue Maid. sio; Quarterdeck
and Warpeak, 81 each; Ety. So; Queen Victoria,
SO.
Third race-Riley S4o0. Robespierre $500,
Prince Fonso $3.50, Bill Letcler $3.50, Palasade
S55, outlook $50.
Fourth Race = Banner Bearer. $40; FREUD
loss, $50; White Nose, S27; Happiness, S23;
Mary X, Macau!ey, S2I each; Aylance c. Love.
land, j. B. Freed, s1l each; Electricity, 81.