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: GOSSIP OF THE TURF. In the course of a recent conversation Mr. W. C. Whitney is credited with saying: "There is no question but that racings greatest problem, starting, has been solved. In former days delays were the rule instead of the exception, and many is the time the best horse was defeated at the post. Now it is different. The starts are prompt, and, in the majority of instances, fair. The temper of the horses, as well as their strength, is saved, and if it is in them to win they have a chance to do so. At least they are not defeated before the barrier goes up. "This improvement I attribute to the abolition of the recall flag. No innovation introduced into the sport in the last twenty years has had a more widely beneficial effect. I am heartily sorry that we did not abolish the recall flag long ago. We horse owners appreciate the new system more than the public. The saving of nervous energy to our highly bred, highly strung thoroughbreds is incalculable. They will, accordingly, last longer. "I think the present system is about as near the ideal of starting as is possible." Twelve thoroughbred yearlings, owned by August Belmont, of the Nursery Stud, were shipped from Lexington, Ky., recently to Saratoga to join the fifteen head sent there about two weeks ago. The youngsters were sent in the Belmont private car, "The Nursery." The twenty-seven yearlings will comprise the Belmont racing string of two-year-olds in 1903. The stars of this latter dozen are Lady Languish, the half-sister to Hamburg, by St. Simon Lady Reel, which cost 5,000 when a suckling, together with Singleton, by St. Simon Field Azure, which cost 3,000 at the same age, and the two are doubtless the most talked-of yearlings in America today. Both will be engaged in all the English classics and will probably be raced abroad in their three-year-old form. The list is : Lady Languish half sister to Hamburg, br. f, by St. Simon Lady Reel, by Fellowcraft. Singleton, b. c, by St. Simon Field Azure, by Bend Or. Bay colt, by Esher Lizzie D., by Onondaga. Chestnut colt, by Don de Oro Bliss, by Bonnie Scotland. Nine Pins, b. c, by Hastings Nineveh, by The Ill-Used. Lord of the Vale, b. c, by Hastings Lady Violet, by The Ill-Used. Dick Turpin, b. c, by Henry of Navarre Tarpeia, by Rayon dOr. Bay filly, by Hastings Felicia, by The IU-Used. Chestnut filly, by Octagon Bella Donna, by Hermit. Chestnut filly, by Hastings Woodray, by Rayon dOr. Fine Art, ch. f , by Octagon Fides, by The Ill-Used. Brown filly, by Hastings Don de Oro, by Rayon ; . 1 . " 1
