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CUMBERLAND PARK CHAT. Nashville, Tenn., March 9. It is more than probable that the first meeting of the cracks will be in the Citizens Handicap at Nashville, when McChesney will meet the Drake horses, as well as those of George C. Bennett, Gorman and Bauer, and Glen "Water. A great lot of four-year-olds will come together in this race. Some changes from the regular scale will be made. For the distance, one mile, a four-year-olds weight is 122. However, Aladdin will carry 120, Abe Frank 114, King Daly 95, Runnels 122, Wyeth 116, McChesney 130, Jack Rattlin 113, Jordan 104, Glen "Water 117, and Silk Cord 97. These will be the pick of the four-year-olds, and it will be about the first meeting of the year, as it is not at all probable Jordan, King Daly, Runnels, "Wyeth, Jack Rattlin, Dubious, Silk Cord or Glen Water will race at Memphis. There is somewhat of a scarcity of Kentucky Derby material at Nashville. Announcement was made yesterday that thirty-six femalnin this classic" event. Of the number seventeen are maidens. Only two horses wintering at Nashville remain in, those being Bardolph, the unbeaten colt in the Gorman and Bauer string, and Benvolio, trained by Frank Bruhns, Harding, Sioux Chief, Sav-able, Von Rouse, "Whipplewood, Outlaw, Ed Layson, Kubelik, and one or two more that are in training at Nashville, forfeited their eligibility, but for what reason could not be learned. It looks as if it would have been a soft spot for Savable, Von Rouse and a few others now in such prime condition. It is claimed by some that the backward season is responsible for so many declarations. However, there are thirty-six that remain in, and this historic event will lose none of its old-time interest, but will, as usual, be a great drawing card. The Kentucky Derby is run on the same day as the Citizens Handicap at Nashville. It is too bad that these two stakes are run on the same day, Saturday, May 2, for conflicts of this kind will be bad for both associations. The Nashville seems to have the call; however, and they will make their program so attractive on their last day that few horses will leave the Rock City meeting for Louisville. Dr. J. S. Rainey has written from California to friends in Nashville, that a party of gentlemen consisting of John A. Drake, John Gates, Dr. J. S. Rainey and others would come from California in a private car to the Nashville meeting. Mr. Drake has not been in Nashville since his horses have been in winter quarters. He will be pleased with his string, as it is in the pink of condition. Some of the best mares in this section will be bred to the young sire King Hanover, owned by B. S. Gardner, of Avondale Farm, among the number being Merle, by Tammany, owned by J. "W. Russwurm; Venue, dam of Von Rouse, by Glengarry, Percita by Bishop, Sierra Leone by Khartoum, Quaver by Kinglike, The Beach by Blazes, owned by Harry Franklin, and many of the best mares owned by Mr. Gardner will be mated to the son of Hanover. The list of declarations in the Citizens Handicap to date are: Red Robe, Flying ;Ship, Linguist, Bessie Spahr, Haviland, Tayon, Begone, Foundling, Vestry, Sir Paul, Lem Reed, Louis "Wagner, Advocator, Similar, "W. B. Gates, "Wax Taper, and J. Sidney Walker. The fact that all the best were left in argues well for the adjustment of weights. George Hendrie, owner of Red Robe, Re servation, Springwells, and others of a large stable wintering at Nashville in charge of trainer John Walters will visit Nashville tomorrow to look over his string. Mr. Hendrie is a large owner of the street railway system of Detroit. H. I. Marshall, who has wintered a large string of jumpers at Nashville shipped his stable to Memphis yesterday. Mr. Marshall will engage in the cross country races at the Bluff City. Horsemen in "this section were very much pleased with the news that the Toronto meeting would be extended up to the opening of the Grosse Point meeting. Among those that will race at Toronto, now at Nashville are John Ferriss, R. F. Meyers, S. B. Parmer, Frank Bruhns, J. M. Johnson, John Walters, E. S. Gardner, Albert Franklin, Henry Franklin, Jake Beaver, etc. The high water retarded work at Nashville yesterday. At one time Browns creek was so high it was impossible to reach the covered track. However, the water soon receded. The heaviest rainfall in years fell Sunday night. Tomorrow, however, the main .track will be in shape for work on the outside, and horses will be sent along over the main course. The physical condition of Henry Gerhar-dy, formerly trainer for H. Eugene Leigh, and last year trainer for William Jackson of Belle Meade, remains about the same. Mr. Gerhardy has been in bad health for several weeks. Strong medicines seem to be responsible for the temporary upsetting of his mind. Physicians in charge hold out every hope that Mr. Gerhardy will soon be restored to his former good health. While confined to his bed, the horses being trained by him are being cared for by his brother, Fred W. Gerhardy.
