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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. English gossip about the two most prominent candidates foy next years Epsom Derby says: "I am inclined to think that Democrat will be the winter favorite fort the Derby, in spite of the fact that he is held eafe by Forfarshire on their running at Eempton Park six weeks ago. Since that time Forfarshire, which had no more engagements, has not been seen in public, while Democrat has in turn won the Ecus Memorial . Stakes end Middle Perk and Dewhurst plates 1 without knowirg defeat. What I like about Democrat iB bis extreme consistency and the 1 fact that be runs his races out to the last ounce. He was certainly not seen to advantage when 1 coming down tie hill frcm the bnehes to the Abirgdcn mile bottooi in his last race at Newmarket, and of course many of tho wiseacres 1 are saying that ho v. ill never get down tho long : hill at Tattenbam coiner next epring in the i Derby. "Forfarshire jb a very big colt, standing, a few weeks age, 16 hands 21 inches, and, of E . 1 1 1 : i E course, it is on the cards that he may grow the wrong way and become unwieldy. At present, however, he has extraordinary speed, and I noticed that between July and the beginning of October he became much larger and heavier, but with muscle and not fat. When he ran at Eempton six weeks ago I thought I had never seen a two-year-old with such a powerful back, and if he continues to Tgo on right, and avoids the troubles that many big ones are susceptible to, I shall expect him to repeat the Eempton running with Democrat whenever thsy meet." The highest - tried two -year -olds in the Schreiber striBg at San FranciBCO are said to ba a pair of Kingston fillies which have been timed quarters in :24. One of the .fillies is named Mrs. Brunei, and is out of the great producing mare Daisy Woodruff, dam of the crack colt Lieber Earl, who gave Plaudit such an argument in the Eentucky Derby of 1898. The ether filly is named Eingstelle, and is out of EBtelle, one of the fastest race mares of her day. Both these fillies are entered in the Gebhard Handicap, for two-year-olds foals of 1898, to be decided at the Oakland track next April, which has a most novel prelude. The stake itself has a value of ,0C0, and the contest will be run ever the Futurity course, which is 170 feet short ef six furlongs. Previous to tho race the association will give three 00 purse races at shorter distances for horses only which are eligible to the Gebhard Handicap. The first of these will be decided Thursday, January 25, 19C0, distance three and a half furlongs; the second, Thursday, February 8, distance four furlongs, and the third, Thursday, March 1, distance four and a half furlongs. St. Louis Republic. Montgomery Park, at Memphis, is very much alive just now. The weather recently has been almost perfect, and traineis have had excellent opportunity to try their yearlings. Many have taken advantage of the chance, and rumors of quarters in 23 and halves in 451 come up the line. The Hayes, Cshn, Schorr and other yearlings are said to be simply flying. Abe Cahn has a big chestnut colt by .Charade that is said to be a wonder. He recently worked a quarter in :2S1 with 120 pounds up, swinging to the others. Cahill and Anderson have the following yearlings quartered at the old race track at Gloucester, N. J. : Wunderlich, b. c, by Carlsbad Loire. Mentauk, b. c, by Appomattox Forget Me Not. Ottobel, b, c, by Magian Sub Rosa. Eerry Mills, b. c, by Reporter Nancy Rupe. Johm y Blown, br. c, by Loantaka Sea Foam. Tom Foley, ch. g, by Ben Strcme Craftie. Lizzie A., blk. f, by Loantaka Elite. Delia Cee, b. f, by Bramble Dollie Nobles. Visionary, b. f, by Jim Gore Joyeuse. Lily B., b. f, by Oddfellow Wenona. Reciprocity, b. f, by Belvidere Lizzette. A rumor sent broadcast from here last week to the effect that Captain ReeB had positively been engaged to officiate on the Metropolian circuit during the coming seasoD, upon investi-; gation proves to be unfounded. Not alone does Captain Reea dety.that he made any such statement, but he further says that ho iB not bb yet even negotiating with the several asscci-1 ations. Naturally, he regrets these Btories, that were probably well meant but are bound to bo harmful. When the time comes, and it will, that his eervices have been sought and retained, he will be pleased to announce the engagement. To anticipate, in tho form of a positive state-l , ment, be very naturally classes as an error. New Orleans Picayune.
