Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-17
CHOICE FOR DERBY 4
IS BLUE LARKSPURs
Clyde Van Dusen Next Best,
Betting Shows-20 May
Go-Weather Dubious.
BY ALAN ]. GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

and West, North and South will
send its blue-blooded horseflesh
- in quest of the classic 3-year-old
honors of the American turf to-
morrow in the fifty-f1fth running OF the
Kentucky Derby.
! If, as expected, a score of thorougn-
| breds go to the post around pm, CEN
| trail standard time. the race will be
worth $64,000, Of which approximately
| $4,000 will go to the victor in the
struggle of speed, stamina and courage
over the route of l mile and quarter.
| The weather prospects are dubious,
with the possibility it will be fine day
for the mud runners; but rain or shine,
heavy going or fast, the experts predict
a horse race" and the promoters ex-
| pect notable throng of upward Of
| $4,000 to jam the picturesque Churchill
| Downs.
Millions more are expected to tune in
on the thrills of Americas most color
| full turf classic over a record radio
hook-up for the Derby, arranged by the
National BroadcaSting Co. and its as
ISOLATED stations.
Kentucky's Day Of Days.
Derby Day is Kentucky's day of days.
Where England has national tnstitu-
ton In its own derby, and France has
its faShionably brilliant Grand Prix at
| LongchampS, the blue grass region has
| its horse race. All the color, the pic
tureSque gathering, the blend of old ira
ditions, cling to this half-century-o
event, but, after all, it is a horse race.
No one mingling in the throngs on
street corners. in the hotels. every
where, is allowed to forget it. This year,
as seldom before, Louisville has drawn
the pilgrimage of the faithful, not only
from its own hills and towns, but from
| far and wide.
Kentucky, as usual, has its favorite.
The roar of the crowd tomorrow will be
from the heart, as well as the pocket
book. If Blue Larkspur, the pride Of
the Blue Grass, comes home first in
the colors of the Idle Hour Farm of
| Col. Edward r. Bradley.
Blue Larkspur has been the favorite
| for the Derby ever since he closed q
| fine 2-year-old season. All his. condi-
tioning has been with the big prize in
mind. The Bradley organization suf-
fered a severe blow in the loss of its
| chief trainer, "Dick" Thompson, now
seriously i'll after an operation for ap-
pendicitis Wednesday night, but there is
| every assurance that Blue Larkspur
nevertheless will go to the post fit and
ready.
| May Be Q to 1 FavOrite.
The famous son of Black Servant,
declared good in any kind of going,
probably will face the barrier a 2-to-1
favorite, with Clyde Van Dusen, car
rying the colors of H. P. Gardner, sec
ond choice. probably around 4 to /. on
the basis of wagering reported today.
Twice before, in 1921 and. 1926, Col.
Bradley has seen his horses finish one
two in the Derby. The chances are
against a repetition Of this honor
tomorrow, but the famous Kentucky
turfman will attempt it by also saddling
Bay Beauty, son Of Black Toney, for
! the classic.
Mishaps and disappointments have
wrecked good portion of the original
| Derby entry list, but there is every in
| dication of keen irtersectional rivalry
| in the field that remains. The Far West
pins its hopes chiefly upon Naishapur,
| winner of the Tia Juana Derby and q
close second in the rich Coffroth handi-
cap on the Mexican track. There has
been a strong drift in the last day or
two toward this chestnut son Of Omar
Khayyam, the 1917 Derby winner.
Ervast is another Far Western candi-
| date, but the railbirds doubt whether
Baron Longs entry can go the route.
East Has Its Hopes.
The Southwest is expected to have at
| least JWO pAOOobAJ OoAA
Roper, Louisiana Derby winner. and
Panchio, both carrying the colors OF
| the Three DIS Stock Farm of Fort
| Worth. The East, not SO well repre-
sented as when Whiskery and Zev were
favorites, nevertheless has hopes, even
| if somewhat faint. in the Fair Stables
| Chicatie, the Belle Isle Stables upset
Lad and Minotaur, runner-up In the
Preakness to DR.. Freeland.
Kentucky and the Middle West, how
ever, present the strongest front In
years against these challengers. II
Blue Larkspur should disappoint, 1t will
be no great shock to the form players
to have Clyde Van DuSen romp home
first, especially as this Man o. War
gelding is good in any kind OF going.
KentuckianS consider Clyde Van Dusen
one of their own. for the colt has raced
altogether in this State or Illinois, al.
though he Is owned by H. P. Gardner
of Amsterdam, N. Y. On the other
hand, The Nut, another highly regarded
colt. now is Kentucky owned, although
bred at Harry Payne Whitney,s farm
Thousands Of Chicagoans, coming here
in the biggest feet of special trains
from any section, will back their own
favorites, particularly Karl Eitel and
Windy City. Bath House" John
Coughlin, picturesque Chicago political
figure, appeared to have had his hopes
dinnmed when his RoguiSh Eye went
wrong recently but they have risen
sharply as the result of a sparkling time
trial by Karl Eitel, which covered the
Derby route in 2:09 3-5 two days ego
and finished full of running.