The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-19

Rain still was falling at Z
a. m. g a. m. Eastern daylight
time.
The crowd poured into Louisville
in luxurious chartered trains, in
Pullman specials, day coaches, by
river boat, trolley car. farm wagons,
horseback and even by airplane and
some afoot.
Negroes from Kentucky farms
were as eager in interest and as
much a part of the Derby day crowd
as the Governor of Kentucky, the
debonair Mayor Jimmy Walker of
New York, or E. B. Mclean, the
wealthy publisher and sportsman.
All for the Horses
The hearts and minds of this
great crowd were centered entirely
on the twenty-three horses remain
ing of the original list of 1876 for the
derby. Counting several almost
certain scratches, about twenty of
them were expected to 60 to the
post.
Reign Count, the splendid Chest
nut colt owned by Mrs. John D.
Hertz of Chicago, was the over
whelming favorite. Thousands Of
dollars we're being wagered 'on other
horses, but most of it was bet in the
hope of beating the Hertz entry,
Reigh Count and Reign Olga.
Millions of dollars depend on the
colts performance today. All winter
long, big Money" was laid in the
winter books on him, some of it as
high as 8 to l. If he wins, many
fly-by-nlght handbook will be
swallowed up.
The regal colt was guarded like
an emperor in his stable, and no
outsider will see him until he steps
proudly to the starting post this
afternoon, we'll in the van OF the
field.
Others Get Play
The heaviest of the betting aside
from Reign Count was on E. B. Nc
Leans Toro; the Audley Farm
Salubria Stable entry of Bobashela
and Strolling Player; Mrs. H. G.
Phipps and ogden Mills Distrac-
ton; the LIE Mar Farms Misstep;
j. r. NIacomber's Petee Wrack, and
w. j. Currans Jack Higgins.
Thousands also will be bet on the
eight or nine horses grouped today
as "the field" The horses conceded
the least chance are placed in the
field, but the field sometimes wins,
either by numerical strength or the
unexpected quality of some mem
Der of it. Flying Ebony won for tne
field in 1925.
The crowd began streaming to the
track early. Some camped on stools
and boxes outside the gates all night
to be sure of a place.
1t was cosmopolitan and repre-
sentative gathering that came 70
Louisville. Women were Numerous,
but they were nervous over their
finery, with the weather forecast
gloomily warning of possible show
ers in tie afternoon.
Hotels were crowded and were
sold out in advance weeks ago.
Thousands ate and slept in their
Pullmans, under special arrange
ments with railroad companies.
Nearly 500 sleeping cars carried
those from far cities, led by long
string of twenty-five special trains
from Chicago.
Last years crowd at the Derby
was estimated at $4,000 to $4,000.
This years crowd almost certainly
will be greater.
1t was the one day of the year
that Louisville and the historic
Downs became the capital for
American society and American
sporting interest.
Strets of the city were crowded.
Those whose names appear in social
registers throughout the country
brushed shoulders with those whose
fame extends no farther than the
betting circles Of the various race
courses of the country.
But the interest was unified Every
thought centered out at the Downs.
The clubs, the hotels and the
shops reflected the great interest
that has made the running of the
Derby one of Americas great spring
institutions.
Five Governors and three Sena-