view raw text
1 , I GOSSIP OF THE TURF. The returns in the way of entries for the Saratoga stakes are gratifying. With California stables yet to be heard from, the en-liS-f.QIL-ljM-fey exceed in numbers the en-tries for 1901 and 1902. FowmssTS " parative table for three years: 1901. 1902. 1903. Saratoga Handicap 65 79 90 Saratoga Cup ... 38 41 49 Saratoga Champion 53 Champlain Handicap 62 63 67 Merchants and Citizens... 28 80 84 Delaware Handicap 63 80 92 Amsterdam Selling Race.. 66 85 89 Catskill Selling Race .. 58 88 93 Saranac Handicap ..... 52 67 70 Huron Handicap 54 48 67 Seneca Selling Race 64 72 82 Mohawk Selling Race 57 58 64 Saratoga Special 23 25 28 Adirondack Handicap 100 138 148 Kentucky Selling Race .. 93 105 109 Albany Handicap Ill 125 141 Troy Selling Race 104 136 137 Ballston Cup 2D 24 38 Beverwyck handicap 42 42 76 Shillelah Steeplechase 43 78 In the two-year-old specials, in which most of the other associations showed losses as compared with earlier years, the Saratoga Association shows a natural gain. This is due to two causes the fact that the specials at the Springs have attracted western entries the other meetings could not get, and that the Saratoga season comes later. Captain R. R. Rice has arrived at Clinton Park, Little Rock, with his string of thoroughbreds. His star performer, Wax Ta,per, is in the lot. Like most of the sons of Candlemas, Wax Taper has always been uncertain about the legs, and at times last year it looked . as though he would never race again. Captain Rice wisely retired him early and sent him to his Varner plantation, where he has, to all appearances, developed into a new horse. Possessed of every good point to be asked in a racehorse other than sound limbs, Wax Taper really failed to look the great horse he really is because of lack of flesh, but this defect has certainly been remedied this year. Reports say he has been well cared for at the farm, has taken on flesh and his legs look as firm and shapely as those of the soundest two-year-old at the track. He is a horse which proved two years ago that he was able to give weight and a beating to the best horses in training, east or west, and his first start at Little Rock will be watched with interest everywhere. W. B. Gates, another high-class performer in 1 Captain Rices string, vies with Wax Taper in the matter of good looks. CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAGE, GOSSIP OF THE TURF. Continued from first page. P. Dunne, who has his horses in training at Louisville, has written to Bishop Poole, trainer for Tichenor and Co., asking him to take charge of six head of horses that will be shipped to Memphis for the spring meeting. Included in the lot is Early, the three-year-old son of Troubadour Miss Dawn, which will be one of the contenders in the Tennessee Derby, set for April 7. John Mc-Gurk, Dunnes Montgomery Handicap candidate, is also among the lot that Dunne will ship to Poole. Poole has had experience training Derby candidates before, having handled May Hempstead, winner of the. 1S99 Tennessee Derby. Besides holding the honor of being the only filly to succceed in winning the Memphis blue ribbon race, May Hempstead achieved distinction by winning the Tennessee Oaks of her year, and this dual win of the Memphis classics is also a record. The following is taken from an eastern exchange of March 12: "The training conditions at Morris Park yesterday were far from being propitious! A fog hung over the course all the morning, drizzling rain fell at intervals, the atmosphere was damp and unpleasant, and there were but few racers seen on the course. The track, however, notwithstanding the late rains, was in good condition. It was a bit moist, of course, but in no way preventive of work. "Aside from the J. McLaughlin string which is being readied up for the Bennings meeting, now close at hand, there were no racers shbwn at exercise over it. Trainer McLaughlin, however, who realizes the exigencies of the occasion, had his racers out, and their gallops were satisfactory. "It is known to him that the Bennings "track is not in" the best condition, and, that being the case, it is up to him to ready his racers up before going there. "The Morris Park course was never in better condition. The late rains have, of course, softened it a bit, but it is safe and sound, and fit for any racer to get his preparation over. With this view of the situation in mind, Mr. McLaughlin is wasting no time in getting ready, and his racers are being sent down the line at speed enough to insure their being fit when they reach Bennings. "The T. J. Healey racers, Dixieline, Mexican, Highlander and Carbuncle, were sent to easy exercise around the confines of the stable. They all look well and ready for the sterner work that is sonn to begin. "The stables two-year-old Juvenile Stake eligibles, bay colt by G. W. Johnson, bay colt by Ormonde or St. Gatien Lady Marian, bay colt by Madison Sister Tenny, bay colt by Tithonus Tommie Belle and chestnut colt by Ornament Ada IV., were allowed the same variety of exercise. On present appearance, this quartette outlook many youngsters that have been inspected, and it would be a great disappointment to many if they dont make good. " Pittsburg Phils Chilton, which looks in prime shape, in company. with Grand Opera, Stevedore and others, was allowed jogging exercise around the stables shed. Chilton is a horse which is much in the eye of the trainers at the course, and they are watching his every move. So far he has filled the bill excellently. His legs are smooth and hard, he has not taken a false step, and at present looks the part of a racer that would stand the training ordeal. Grand Opera and Stevedore, look in fine condition, and their owner should not be disappointed in them. J. C. Milam has in training at Lexington seventeen horses, and the best looking one of the lot, according to reports, is Owenton, the colt which went wrong last year at a time when it was thought hat he had a royal chance for the American Derby and something like 5,000 had been refused for him. Owenton is all right again and will be raced this year.
