Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-03
DERBY IS MOST
OPEN IN YEARS
TEN HORSES HAVE EQUAL
CHANCES TO WIN
HALF MILLION WILL SEE RACE
AT EPSON TODAY
Three American Horses Are Entered
for Historic Race and Two
American Jockeys VIII
Have Mounts

BY Associated Press
LONDON, June 2, 1850 p. m.--"The
most open Derby In thirty years; there
are at least ten horses with equal
chances of winning" was the reply
made by a prominent trainer to a re-
quest for his opinion as to the probable
outcome of the race to be held tomor-
row at EPSON for the famous Derby
stakes worth $500 sovereigns in cash.
and the biggest event on the English
turf.
The trainers opinion Is shared by
majority of the public and racing men,
and at the clubs and hotels In London
tonight not less than a dozen probable
starters have coteries of supporters
This condition makes the race of to-
morrow far more interesting than any
previous Derby in recent years.
| In addition to the openness of the
races, the presence of King Edwards
colt, Perrier, among the contestants Is
a drawing card. There would be tre-
/ mendous enthusiasm should Perrier
| win, as his victory would make the
Derby of 1908 one of the most historical
in the annals of the English turf. for
although King Edward when he was
| prince of Wales, saw his colors victor
| ious In the chief race of the year, a
kings horse never has won Epsom's
| classic event.
Half Million to See Race
| With the continuation of the present
| fine weather, a record attendance at
| EPSON is looked for. and conservative
estimate is that close to half q million
people will be on the famous Downs.
| In the crowd will be thousands of
| Americans.
| Two American horses will take part
| in the race, so the United States will be
| represented on the track as well as in
the stand. Norman III. owned by Au-
gust Belmont, has many supporters; so
| many, indeed, that since he won the
Guineas he has figured almost continu-
| ously at the head of the betting list.
He was only supplanted for few days
money that section of the public which
allows it's patriotic desires to affect its
betting is held responsible.
| The other American horse, Seasick II.
owned by w. K. Vanderbilt. which ran
dead heat for the French Derby re-
Gently, also will carry a lot of Ameri-
can and French money a large number
of Americans favor Seasick II over
Norman III, as 1t Is believed that with
Stern riding he will make even a bet
ter showing than he did in France.
There Is another American-owned
horse in the race, Azote, the property
of James r. Natmaker, an American
resident of Paris. Azote is attracting
attention chiefly by reason of his own
ers attempt to prove that colt fed oil
dried milk has an advantage over
| horses fed In the ordinary manner.
Azote has never tasted either oatsl
corn but has been raised and trained
on dried milk with small quantities of
hay.
Two Jockeys Americans
In addition to these three American
horses, two American jockeys. Maher
and Lynne, will have mounts In the
race, Maher, who already has three
Derby wins to his credit, is riding
Llangwm, and he is confident of vic
tory. Lucien Lynne is just as certain
that Mountain Apple. his mount, will
win.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilt have
come over from France for the race,
and they were Joined here today by Mr..
and Mrs. August Belmont, who arrived
on the Lusitania Richard Croker also
will be at EPSON, and he doubtless re-
grets that he did not enter Rhodoro for
| the Derby. She Is considered the best
racer of the year, and Is strong favor
| ite for the Oaks on June s.
| King Edward and other members of
| the royal family will be present.