Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-10
ETERNAL FAVOR|TE
IN KENTUCKY DERBY
Billy Kelly and Regalo Also
Have Many Backers in
Today's Classic
GOING TO BE H AV Y

Louisville. Ky. May 1O.-Dark skies
and predictions for rain did not stop
the progress of great tbrong toward
the race track today nor did the pros
pect of heavy track force overnight
Withdrawals from the list of fourteen
thoroughbreds carded to start in the
forty fifth renewal of the Kentucky
Derby at Churchill Downs this after
noon. Exterminator won last years
Derby in 2.1O 40.
Neither weather nor the track con
ditions, due TO two days rain, ap
parently removed Eternal as the public
choice. although sentiment appeared TO
indicate Billy Kelly and Sir Barton had
a multitude of hackers. Meanwhile
coterie of eastern people. il was said,
think well of the chances of Nindex.
Hafry Payne Whitney's entry.
Corson. considered a good mud horse,
Under Fire, Senning's Park. Regalo.
Sailor, Clermont and Frogtown each
had respectable following prior to post
time.
Fourteen Entities
teen of the original seventy five nomina
tions coming up to their owners ex-
pectations us worthy of striving for the
rich prize of $4,000 that will be the
winners share, in addition to the i'm
mortal fame.
The heavy going. however. has
failed to make the railbirds and others
take their bankroll off Eternal. Regalo
and Billy Kelly. The chance of the
going being heavy is believed to have
dampened the ardor of the eastern con-
tingent. which favored Nindex, Harry
Payne Whitney's horse.
Billy Kelly Draws IL
Any great admirer of Billy Kelly.
from the j. X. l.. Ross barn. who may
be of supcrstitious nature can take
no comfort in the information that in
this afternoons drawing for positions
Billy Kelly drew No. 13.
Aside from the unlucky number, this
position places the Ross gelding. who
is second in favoritism with Eternal,
next to the outside post place. 1t is
true that when the actual start comes
Billy will not be in the. thirteen hole,
for there will be scratches. but never
theless that is the number that will be
given him on the program.
Mr.. Ross Called Home
Further bad luck that came to the
Ross establishment was u telegram that
came this morning saying that the
father of Mrs. Ross was dangerously
i'll at Montreal, and that means that
Mr.. and Mrs. Ross will not be here to-
day to see their horses run. Comman
der Ross never has seen a Derby. nor
has he ever had a Derby candidate
prior to this year. The Ross private
car left here Mt 4 o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon for Montreal.
Be Frank is lucky enought to have
drawn second position. and he might
even be on the rail. for there is Il bare
chance that Sir Barton, from the Ross
stable, may not start. Guy Bedwell.
trainer of Sir Barton and Billy Kelly,
said last night that although he had
previously said that Sir Barton would
not start if the track is muddy. the
chances now are much more in favor
of his starting than not.
UTeat &TOWu
No former Kentucky Derby running
has brought here the immense attend
ance than that now in evidence. All the
leading hotels have been forced to turn
prospective guests away in droves. For
weeks every available room has been re
served and many annual visitors to view
the Derby running have. through neglect
to make early reservation. been forced
to cancel their trip or chance finding
quarters in private residence.
Every section of the Union has ex =
tensive representation. The Wall Street
delegation being particularly conspicu-
Gus. and were brought here by special
train and in private ears. The Harry
Payne Whitney party required three
special cars. and lack of hotel space
means nothing to them. for they will
fare sumptuously aboard their luxuri-
Gus cars.
The Wall Street contingent will not
he the only wealthy representatives
who will cheer for the winner, as the
oil operators of Oklahoma and the
Ranger Texas fields, headed by Ruther-
ford Jones, Edward Simms and Harry
Sinclair, will be among those present.
The trio of extensive oil magnates arc
deep dyed in the wcol racing enthu.
siasts. Simms is part owner of Eternal
and others in the James McClelland
stable.