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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. The Saratoga Specials list of nominations was augmented last Saturday by the naming of candidates from the stables of Andrew Miller, steward of the Jockey Club, and the new owner of thoroughbred horses, William B. Leeds, who will try for honors this season for the first time. This brings the number of nominations to the Special up to seven. The stake closes on March 9, and judging from past experiences, so far as the naming of horses for stakes is concerned, the secretary of the Saratoga Association for the Improvement of the Breed of Hories may reasonably expect a number of additional entries to the stake before the date of closing. Nominations to the Special so far have come from unexpected quarters in the majority of cases. Captain Sam Brown was one of the earliest of the nominators to the interesting Saratoga stake. Phil Dwyers nomination was not expected either, but those from Larry Waterbury, Mr. Leeds and Dr. H. Lyman came in the nature of surprises. There is every probability that the Keene, Belmont and Whitney stables, as well as other prominent ones in the east, will be found in the list of nominations before the stakes closing. All of the stakes for the spring meeting of the Metropolitan Jockey Club at the new Jamaica track have filled well. The two-year-old events are particularly well patronized. One of the most interesting is the Rosedale Stakes for fillies, for which nearly all of the more prominent owners have made nominations. August Belmont has named Silver Dream, by Henry of Navarre Golden Dream; Woodspring, by Hastings Wood- OONTINCED ON FOURTH pi" 4. GOSSIP OF THE TURF. Continued from first page. vine, and Mica, by Hastings Donna Mia, hence a full sister to Mizzen. Newton Bennington has entered a smart filly Albertola, by Albert Bonnie Ola, which is a full sister to Herbert. P. J. Dwyer is represented by two fillies, Future Bright, by Ben Brush Pal-ianthus, and Dame President, by Prince of Monaco Merry Thought, which is a half-sister to Merry Acrobat. Foxhall P. Keenes entries are two fillies, one by Kingston-Cushat, and the other by Kingston St. Cyp-ria, James R. Keene also has two fillies, by St. Leonards Dusk, and Ben Brush Bonnie Lee, respectively. Pierre Lorilliards single entry is the Lady of Rhodesia, by Ingoldsby The Governess. Green B. Morris candidate . is Queen Modred, by Sir Modred Queen Bess, a half sister to Old England. "W. C. "Whitney has two fillies, by Lissak Mary C, and MeddlerUrania, respectively. Sidney Paget is the largest nominator, with five youngsters, Thistle Heather, by Knight of The Thistle-Belle Daly; School Mistress, by Hamburg-The Task; Miss Shylock. by St. Gatien La Belle Juive; Moorhen, by Watercress Sentiment, and Hamburg Belle, by Hamburg Isiac. That there is a general demand for a match race, there can be no denying. Mr. Bell has entered Hermis for all the rich handicaps and weight-for-age races. He has no idea of starting Hermis in all of these events, but his idea has been to have the colt so well engaged that he could go after rich stakes whenever he was absolutely fit The proposition to match him against McChesney, if Mr. Smathers makes it, therefore, will be somewhat unexpected, for Mr. Bell some time ago declared that Hermis would never meet McChesney in the west. But with the chance of McChesney coming east, and a direct offer of a match from Mr. Smathers, it may be said that Mr. Bell will not only consider it, but will undoubtedly accept under favorable conditions. But the offer must come from McChesney s new owner, so trainer J. H. Mc-Cormick says. As match races are illegal in j this state, McChesney and Hermis will have to come together under special conditions, a sweepstakes with one of the local racing J associations hanging up a purse of say 0,- 000 for the match. Then there could be several entries beside those of the stars, which of course could be scratched on the day of the race. That there would be also a side bet, possibly of 0,000 a side, is a probability, as Mr. Smathers already has the reputation of being one of the biggest turf speculators in this country. The two four-year-olds, if the match is made, will be asked to carry scale weight over a distance of either a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. As Hermis will be fit to start in such a race at any time the argument is set forth that Mr. Smathers would do well to handle his new purchase with extreme care. He can enter McChesney in the Saratoga Handicap, Saratoga Champion, Saratoga Cup, the Champlain, the Merchants and Citizens and the Delaware. New York Sun. Horsemen, who in other seasons have, wintered at Cumberland Park, will be surprised and pleased at the many changes and improvements that have been made there. The track "presents this year an entirely changed appearance. The management has been unsparing of its cash account to the end of making everything pertaining to trainers and their charges complete in the way of comfort. New stables have been built, and, although the usual quota of horses is now there, are the usual quota of horses is now there, there are unoccupied two hundred and thirty stalls, which have been reserved for horses that will be shipped there to participate in the races of the approaching spring meeting. The two high-priced mares Reckon and Sallie of Navarre which stand millionaire S. S. Brown an outlay of over 2,000, are both running together in a paddock at the Oakwood Stud of C. F. McMeekin, where they were sent last fall by their owner and where they will remain until bred to the great Bowling Brook this year. Both are heavy with foal, and if each drops a colt, Captain Browns cup of joy will be full to overflowing. Both great mares are in the best of health, and though they have a warm stable to run hi, they are out of doors most of the time. Barring old Senorita, which will always hold, first place in the esteem of Captain Brown, he owns no other mares which he thinks as much of as he does of Reckon and Sallie of Navarre.
