The Washington times., 1908-06-03
Nc Entry Picked as Prob
able Winner Gets Place in
Classic Race.
BELMONT'S HORSE
NOT IN RUNNING
American Party and King Edwards S
Friends Drop Large Amounts
on Result.

LONDON, June S.-Signorinetta, at 100
20 !, won the classic English Derby
this afternoon at Epson Downs. Primer,
100 to 3, was second, and Llangwam,
100 70 S, was third.
The result was the biggest upset ever
seen in big English race. as none OF
the horses picked as probable winners
got within the money. SignoTinetta
won by two lengths.
The result was n bitter disappoint-
ment 20 August Belmont and W. X.
Vanderbilt, who backed their entries 10
the tune OF 100000 Belmont's Norman
III, was considered TO have q grand
chance for victory, while Vanderblts
Seasick II was also regarded a likely
candidate.
Kings Entry Unplaced.
The unplacing Of Perrier. King Ed
wards entry, was a severe blow 10 the
royal party. and those who, for sentl-
mental reasons, always put their faith
20 the Kings horse.
The betting was unusually heavy and
the bookmakers reaped the biggest har-
vest of their lives.
Signorinetta is owned by ChevaIier
Ginistrelli, an italian. She was the only
hlly entered in the race. Both horse and
owner received an ovation from the big
Italian contingent present
The race was run under a cloudless
sky, and with the track in sp .endid con-
dltion. II was witnessed by the biggest
crowd ever gather at EPSON Downs.
Many Americans were present. includ-
ing Mr.. and Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilt. Mr..
and Mrs. August Belmont. Mr.. and Mrs.
Perry Belmont, Commander John H
Gibbons, Richard Croker, Gen. and Mrs
Leonard Wood, and Col George An
dreWs.
Blue Ribbon Event.
The Derby. for colts and huies foaIed
In 1901, F" IS admittedly the blue ribbon
event Of the turf world. The thorough
bred that carries its weight over the
mile and half of up and down hill
ana around the right-angled curve at
IaJtenham Corners always knows il
mas been TO the races and no real bad
horse has ever won the Derby stakes.
rms year crowd was no exception
70 the usual brilliant assembIaRe rang
ing In rank from King Edward and his
suite 10 the cOsteTs of the London East
End, who had made the hfteen-mile trin
from the city in their small carts or
atoOt.
1900 BOokmakers.
It was estimated that 1,50O bookmakers
were on hand to take care OF the bet
ting crowd. They were a motley assem-
blage, some clothed in a garb that re-
minded one most Of Joseph's coat of
many colors. who would take bets Of
a tanner Of a bob, 20 the severely
garbed brokers from Tattersalls,
whose minimum was E5 and whose
rro,-frr0rrT71 a0FfIf H8rFT4r D..
More than anything else, the grounds
reminded the American spectator Of a
mammoth country fair. Scattered all
through the crowd were tents Of gyp-
sizes, ring-throwing outfits, Punch and
Judy shows, and even the time-hOnored
''sv eat board" and smell game" were
working overtime.
The American contingent was on hand
early, headed by August Belmont and
a party Of his friends. The Belmont
stables We're the mecca Of the Ameri-
cans prior 10 the race as all wanted
TO see Norman III, before the race.
The Americans backed the Kentucky
bred horse well up 10 post time.
Purse Worth s3a,5oo.
The purse is e6,5O0O S32.5oO).
the distance over one and one-haIf
miles of hard territory. The first three
quarters Of a mile is up hill, then the
field swings around Tattenham cor
ner. a right-angled turn that has
brought many a good horse to grief,
then three furlongs on the level, around
a wide curve into the straight for
the final run Of three furlOngs down
hill 10 the judges stand and the win
ming post.
The race has been won three times
by Americans, first by that sterling per
former from the stable of Pierre LOriI-
lard Tleider IrOauOis, in ISg1. second
by the late William 9. Whitney's Leased
Nolodyowskl, in 1891, and last year by
Richard Croker's Orby II The fastest
time for the race was 2:8G As. made by
Spearmint in 1906 while Muajid's time
OF 2.50, in 1859, was the slJwesL ever
made.