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STAKKS FILLING WJSLt. Racing men generally, whether owners or trainers or members of the great army of racegoers, will ba pleased to learn that the stakes of the Saratoga Raciqg Association, which cosed on Monday, have filled beyond the anticipation of the most sanguine member of the association. The stakes were the Spinaway, of 5,000, for two-year-old Allies, to be run in 1904; tho Great Republic, of CO0, to be run in 1935, and tho Hopeful, of 0,000, aho to be run in 19 io, for then two-year-olds. Indeed, when all the returnsare in it would not be surprising to find that the etakos have the biggest entry lists ever made in this country. And this is said with full knowledge of the fact that tho Futurity has had something like 1,2C0 or 1,400 entries. The Saratoga Association is particularly fortunate in having within its own ranks Americas biggest breeders and the owners of Americas greatest racing stables. Because of this fact it would.be strange, indeed, if its stakes did not fill to overflowing. These men have not taken hold of Saratoga with the enthusiasm with which a child receives a new toy, but thfy have gone into it with the energy of business men who are determined to succeed. If big stakes can make a success of a meeting or can establish a racing association firmly, then tha Sara-, toga meetings are destined to be most successful in the country, and the Saratoga Association will be Americas strongest racing club. The Great Republic Stakes of 0,000, to be run in 1905, is not a poor mans stake. It is not a stake for the owner of slender means to tarry with. The nomination of a foal to this event will have to pay 35 for the privilege of starting, the nominator of a yearling 00, and the nominator of a horse two years old or upward 00. The fees will make it the most costly stake ever run in this country, and this despite the fact that it is not the richest stake we have had. The growing number of wealthy men on the turf, however, and the small feeat which breeders may make nominations, probably will mean an increase in these expensive events. Nor is the Hopeful Stakes one for the poor owner to linger with. It will cost 10 to send a horse to the post in this event, the fees up to May 1, 1935, amounting to 60, and the starting fee being 50. With a great majority of owners, it will be a case of having a mighty good horse or of making a quick declaration. The Great Republic undoubtedly will be the richest race for horses three-year-olds and upward run in America, although some years must elapse before it can rival such races as the Suburban, Brooklyn and Brighton handicaps in the affections of New Yorkers. For this closing of it Mr. Whitney, the president of the association, is the biggest nominator, with fifty-six entries. For the Hopeful Stakes he has named the produce of eighty mares. Other big nominators to these events are J. B. Haggin, August Belmont, James R,Keene, Mrs. Ti H. Carson, H. T. Oxnard, Clarence H. Mac-kay, Harry K. Knapp, Mrs. Lillian Barnes Allien, Frank R. Hitchcock. Andrew Miller and David Gideon. That new starting barrier introduced at Bennings by Mr. Cassidy is not the angelic device which it seemed to be at first flush. On the opening day everj body went into raptures over it. Tuesday everybody called it accursed. On the opening day it worked smoothly, swiftly, perfectly. Tuesday it turned the running of the third race into a howling farce by ensnaring about one-half of the field. If it had thrown and killed three or four boys it would not have been so much of a farce, but that is another story. The field numbered twelve horses. There was a difference of opinion as to how many of them were interfered with, but the impression that all suffered was general. Three horses were left at the post and the others ran as best they could, with the webbing flapping about their heels. Evening Sun.
