Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-05-19
IMPOSING ARRAY
ENTERED IN DERBY
Cream of Horses to Face
Starting Barrier at
Louisville Track.
BY the Assoc::a ted Press.

ny Lic lASoOC.dtPu fTfst.
LOUISVILLE. KY. May 19.-An i'm
posing array of three-year-
thoroughbreds was ready to start
late this afternoon. at Churchill
Downs. in the forty ninth renewal of
the historic Kentucky derby.
score and four overnight entries.
divided between the east and west,
were carded to face the barrier pre-
liminary to the trying test of speed
and spirit over the mile and a quar-
ter distance for a total gross money
value prize of s65,625, as it stood be-
fore the starters bugle sounded. In
addition, a gold plate, valued at
Each withdrawal subtracts $500 from
the prize
The hope of the east rides on En-
.chantment. one Of five elegibles in the
whitney entry, in which candidates
from the Harry Payne Whitney and
Greentree stables are coupled.
The west is relying upon Frederick
Johnsons Nassau
Nassau Is Untried.
Entertainments claim to fame rests
on his showing as winner of the
$4,000 Kentucky Jockey Club stake
last year Nassau Is yet untried un-
der an impost OF 1875 pounds and at
the derby distance. Gen Thatcher,
second in the Preakness, had a con-
siderable following.
The Whitney entry held fast to it's
commanding place in popular favor.
Besides Enchantment. it included
Rialto. third in the Preakness, Pic
keter. second in the Jockey Club
stakes: Chickvale. conquerer Of Ex-
terminator. and Cherry Pie.
Notwithstanding the claims of the
east and OF the west. turfmen were
inclined to consider the race the most
open OF any in recent years. The
record-breaking number OF entries
was cited by these observers in sup
port OF their contention that IT was
futile to attempt positive selection
Of the winner, especially when no one
OF the conteHders had established an
outstanding record.
The horse first away from the bar
rier and most skillfully ridden has an
edge on the chance for victory, it
was asserted in this quarter. and a
number Of observers were outspoken
in the belief that an outsider in the
betting very likely would be brought
home winner.
A fast track was indicated early
today, but with the weather forecast
for possible showers it was regarded
as not improbable that the condition
Of the course might change sharply
before post time, which tentatively
has been fixed for about so o'clock
Central standard time.
The vanguard of the Derby host
was waiting at the Downs when the
gates were opened at o'clock. Long
before the first race on the. days
program was run. the stands had
been filled and the crowd. which II
previously had been estimated would
exceed $4,000 had surged into the
infield
In the betting shed scores of pari-
mutueI betting machines clattered as
operators recorded purchases OF tick
cts from a maximum OF $1OO to
minimum of 50. marking the placing
of what was predicted would be a
record breaking total wager on the
derby.
1t was a crowd marked by color.
life and movement, vibrant with the
atmosphere of the great thronss
which have followed with straining
eyes the fash of the riders silks and
was a happy host gathered to see the
browning Of an equine king, and 1t
flashed and sparkled as it thrilled to
the magnificent spectacle Of the
classic
Thousands of persons came from
almost every point OF the compass
and from many sections of the coun-
try to witness the race. New York
and Chicago especially were we'll rep
resented Royalty. in the persons of
the Prince and Princess of Hesse. had
indicated an intention TO be present.
Financiers. leading men in the rail-
road world. high officials of the states
women from many of the less promi-
nent walks Of life sought the thrills
furnished by the greatest horserace
on the American continent