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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. R. C. Tucker, who handles Captain Browns Louisville string, and Wimmer, who has charge of his lot at Mobile, started into winter quarters with fifty head of youngsters. Three died on Tuckers hands. "Wimmer has twenty-seven baby racers at Mobile, while the remainder of Captain Browns big lot will continue to receive their early education at the Churchill Downs track. Last fall Captain Brown bought a bluegrass farm near Lexington, K., where he has Garry Hermann, Troubadour, Mona, Matinee, Senorita and many other well known race horses. Captain Brown has an especial fondness for Mona and Matinee, and. there is little possibility that any of the sons or daughters of these famous mares will ever pass out of his hands. Troubadour, winner of the Suburban and Other important races, is totally blind and in his dotage. Garry Hermann, by Esher, is, however, one of the grandest looking horses in Kentucky. As a breeding proposition his value is yet to be determined, but he will receive a thorough trial at Senorita farm, as Captain Brown believes that he is likely to perpetuate even if he does not add to the fame of his famous sire, who at the time of his death, had accomplished more in American breeding than any other horse since the days of Hanover. With the racing season so close to hand few of the trainers around New York are losing any chances of preparing their charges and the early morning finds the several tracks and the boulevard well sprinkled with racers. The cold snap did not last long enough to hinder galloping, and although the snow was fairly deep several days ago on both the Gravesend .and Sheepshead Bay courses, nearly all the strings of the big stables were out. The snow formed a cush-ipn for the horses, and several of the prominent trainers allowed the animals to step along at better than a two minute gait. Trainer James McCormick was particularly active with L. V. Bells horses at Sheepshead Bay. Hermis, the crack four-year-old, which is at present receiving the attention of the racing world, galloped with the second set, which comprised Francesco, Colonel Bill, G. Whittier, Herculean, -Captivator and Lo.dy Albercraft. Hermis certainly looks, in splendid shape. The big son of Hermence is as limber as could be and came through the stretch snorting and fighting for his head in a manner that was worth looking at. It is learned that Frank Farrell intends to open the campaign with his horses this year on an extensive scale at Aqueduct. Mr. Farrell has engaged twelve stalls for the Queens County Jockey Club meeting and the same number for the meeting of the Metropolitan Jockey Club at Jamaica. Frank Weir, who has had the Farrell stable at Gloucester, N. J., this winter, reports that the horses have been in excellent health and will be ready to race when the flags fly at Aqueduct. J. G. Follansbee, a popular member of the Jockey Club, will branch out this year, it is said, more extensively in his turf ventures, and establish a breeding farm in Mexico, where he already has a ranch. He will race hereafter under the horn de course of the Mexican Stable. Mr. Follansbees colors crimson, black stripes, crimson cap have been prominent in past years on the metropolitan tracks, but his stable hitherto has been small, though select. Hereafter, it is said, Mr. Follansbee will increase his racing establishment every season. A. Featherstones two great mares, Reina winner of the Brooklyn Handicap, and Hata-soo, winner of the Brighton Oaks, New Rochelle, Claremont and Coney Island Handicaps and Swift Stakes, will never race again. Indications are that they would both stand training again this year, but the turfman and his trainer, Julius Bauer, are of the opinion that they have earned a rest, and as a consequence the turf will see them no more. They will be bred to Previous early next month. That Pierre Lorillard proposes to race extensively this season, will be welcome news to those who remember the fame of his lamented father on the turf, when Parole, Iroquois, Sachem, Dew Drop and many others gained illustrious victories on both English and American race courses. Mr. Lorillards list of nine are being trained by Fred Bur-lew, that capable trainer who also handles the stable of Newton Bennington.
