The Washington times., 1906-05-13

noted American bicycle crack. easily
won the quarter, half and mile inter
national professional championships
at the Crystal Palace. The time was
fast. but would have been faster had
the American been pushed at all.
William X. Vanderbilt heads the list
Of winning owners on the French turf.
so far this season. and with the
splendid string OF horses\ in training
there would seem to be no. reason to
believe that he will not remain at the
head. His total winnings so far have
been nearly $4,000. NJ. Edmond Blanc.
owner Of Flying Fox and his speedy
sons and daughters. comes next. nearly
$4,000 behind the American railroad
king Due de Grammont, NJ Maurice
Gallant and NJ. Lleux are the other
leading winners.
English turfmen stin are hopeful that
Mr.. Vanderbilt Will before long race in
England. As the father OF the popular
Duchess of Marlborough, he is in some
what different position toward England
than most of the Americans who go in
for racing. Some talk is current that
Lieut.. John Jacob Astor. of the Guards.
son Of William Waldorf Astor. contem-
plates going in for racing, but nothing
definite is known of it,
Among horsemen these DAYS the Derby
is the thing. The handicap ppers are busy
with the horses and their records. and
every appearance of a Derby candidate
Is watched most keenly. Betting is get
ting more brisk as the day for the great
race approaches. Lally is still a hot
favorite. and 1t is difficult to get better
than 70 about him. Flair has grown
in public estimation and an the minds of
many experts is the most likely winner
Black Arrow is supported and but for his
uncertain temper probably would be a
favorite- If he should make UP his
mind to run as he can run. he would be
most dangerous competitor.
The patriotic public is roofing" as
you Americans call it. for the King s
Derby candidate. Null Secundus. 1t will
be a great race.
Much Indignation has been caused by
the publication of a paragraph in Truth
charging that the majority of owners
now on the turf, including many rich
men. look upon their racing al a purely
business affair. a mere gamble. into
which no idea OF true sport ever en-
terS. the achievement OF a coup being
the aim and end Of their enterprises"
The sentiment OF those interested in
the turf on this proposition is fairly
stated in the Sporting Times as follows:
His words grossly misrepresent the
present state of the turf, and convey
the most misleading IDEAS concerning it
as 1t existed In the real days of -coups.
During a more than ordinarily long ex-
Perience never did we know so many
owners who ran their horses altogether
independently Of money considerations
as now So far from the majority of
them having no ideas beyond being able
10 gamble on coup which was the end
ana aim OF their enterprise we have
more than enough fingers on our two
hands 10 count of the owners who may
De said TO be actuated by these prin-
clples. and We should have to take some
on suspicion at that
w hen horses that could have won the
Derby and St. Leger are not started for
tnoSe races IN order that a cOup NAV be
brought OF with them in a handicap
these horses are run for the purpose OF
getting money and not for sport of
recent years We have known of no such
instance, but thirty or forty years ago
We did"
Thirty-four machines so far have been
entered in the French Grand Prix Auto
mobile race. Not an American or Eng
lish car is included The sweepstakes