The Washington herald., 1908-05-18
SEEK ENGLISH DERBY
Vanderbilt, Croker, and Bel
mont Rivals for Classic.
KINGS COLT SLIGHT FAvoRITE
odds Against ReyelIy Bred and
Owned Entry Shortened by Plunge
on seasick II-Americans Seeking
tc Crown Seasons Successes on
British Turf by winning Derby.

Louuullt May 4i.-AppdfDNtiy LDlS is 10
,e an American year on the British turf.
Already two classics have fallen under
the flying hoofs of American-bred horses.
Norman III, owned by August Belmont.
captured the Two Thousand Guineas. and
Richard Croker's Rhodora took the one
Thousand. Moreover, Norman III is a
formidable candidate for the Derby. as Is
". X Vanderbilts outrageousIy named
colt Seasiek II, while Mr. Croker looks
TO Rhodora 10 also land the Oaks. The
One Thousand Guineas winner is also a
Derby entry.
In looking back over the performances
OF the Yankee thoroughbreds, Norman III
won the Two Thousand Guineas with the
greatest ease, and the bubble over King
Edwards colt, Perrier, quickly burst.
The Kings colt was a distinct disappoint-
mentt and the Belmont colt is likely 10
usurp his place at the head of the betting
for the Derby.
In the last twenty-eight years the horses
which have won the Two Thousand and
four weeks later the Derby have been
Shotover Ormonde Ayrshire, Common
Isinglass, Ladas. Galtee More, Flying
Fox, Diamond Jubilee, Rock sand, and
St Amant.
Norman III is a bay colt By Octagon-
Nineveh bred at Mr. Belmonrs Nursery
Stud in Kentucky. Nineveh is by The
Infused out Of Semiramis. the only St
Blaise mare that ever foaied 10 him
Semiramis is out OF Sultana BY Lexing-
ton out Of Hildred, of the famous Levity
family a great race mare and a full sis
ter 10 MOnarchist.
BeImOnt's Nominations.
Mr.. Belmont made two nominations for
the Two Thousand Guineas, his second
string being a half-brother to the winner,
colt called Crossbar, by Octagon-Lucy
Cross. Richard Croker nominated the
bay colt Republic, by Americus-King'
Daughter; James r Keene made three
nominations, two colts by Disguise II
and one by Commando. and Harry Payne
Whitney made four nominations. a flly
by Hamburg. a hlly by Nasturtium g
colt that is a full brother OF the famous
Bprgomaster, and a chestnut colt by
Nasturtium. Norman III was sent to
England as a yesrling Mr. Belmont
raced Octagon, the sire OF Norman III.
which, by the way is a half-brother Of
the great Beldame, which was retired 70
Mr.. BelmOnt's farm three years ago, and
which recently dropped a foal by the
English Derby winner, Rock Sand, now
at the head of Mr.. Belmonts stud.
Rhodora was pointed for the one Thou
sand Guineas at Glencairn the former
Tammany ehieftain's place IN SandyfOrd.
Ireland. There he has a brood Of fOals
or the bluest blood, several OF them be-
gTrr 4-efafftraS vf OrhTr- TnrH,r
winner. After Rhodora won the Dew
hurst Plate al Newmarket Mr. Croker
immediately saw visions Of the com
pletion Of his measure of success on the
English turf, He now wants the Oaks
70 ill his cup os bliss Cap and Bells
won the Oaks for James r. and F. p.
Keene in hollow style six years ago.
Last years Derby winner, Orby, has
trained surprisingly well, and has quite
recovered from the injury which defeated
him for the Atlantic Stakes last year.
lie viii reappear al the Epson meeting
where Mr.. Croker will also be repre-
sented by the two-year-old Alabama. an
untried half-sister OF the Derby winner.
The. Yale Blue VIII thus be carried at
EPSON by three first class racers. all the
progeny of the same famous mare,
Rhoda b. a unique event of the turf
or this country.
The plunge of future book bettors on
W. K. Vanderbllts Seasiek II causing
that colt TO be one of the favorites for
the Derby, to be run on June 3, is one
Of the surprises Of the year just why
Seasick should be backed is a mystery
TO every follower of the turf, including
Vanderbilt's trainer. He showed nothing
in his two-year-old form to make him
seem more dangerous than the other
competitors, but somebody undoubtedly
has a strong inclination toward the
French-bred colt. He has been played
steadily until his odds have been forced
down.
Held at 10 1.
In public sentiment. Sir Archibald, Per
rier. and White Eagle are the choices. All
are held at approximately to l in what
is known as "ante-post' betting. with Sir
Archibald dividing honors with Seasiek
as a mild favorite. The opening favorite
was White Eagle. who made a good rec
ORD as a two~year-old last season, but
he was soon supplemented by Perrier
The latter probably VIII 90 to the post
the first choice.
It is no novelty for an American own
er's horse 10 be favorite in the blue rib
bon event of the turf. Orby was held at
to last year, but 1t is said that Rich
ard Croker and his Tammany cohorts
gave the English bookies such q scorch-
ing when the colt won that they are
not likely 70 take liberties with the
price this season. Iroquois was one of
the choices in the betting when Fred
Archer rode him to victory for Pierre
Lorillard in 1881, and Vlodyovski, whose
racing qualities were leased by the late
". c. Whitney. was also a favorite In
the event. Moreover, when Col Ten
Brock, OF Kentucky. one Of the most
noted ante-bellum turfmen OF his day.
took Umpire across the water, In 1860,
the son OF lie Compte was a warm favor
ite and was heavily played Umpire
proved a disappointment, however.
The Derby now has thrice been won by
American owners. The year when the
event was taken By the late Mr. Whit