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THE MORRIS PARK MEETING. Next Thursday at Morris Park the spring meeting of the "Westchester Racing Association will be inaugurated by the running of the rich Metropolitan Handicap at a mile. Turfmen always look forward to the Morris Park meeting for the first appearance of the highest class of thoroughbreds, including the introduction of the crack two-year-olds from the stables of many millionaire owners. The "Westchester track, with its immense stands, broad lawns, wide stretches and picturesque scenery, has always been a popular resort, and when the gates are opened for the first time this week, turfmen say, there will be a royal turnout of the faithful. Westchesters famous stake event, the Metropolitan, the Belmont, the Withers, the National Stallion and others of value, have attracted all of the great horses, so that there is every indication of splendid racing, says the New York Sun of Monday. In all probability there will be a field of from a dozen to eighteen horses in the Metropolitan on Thursday, but according to the talk among turfmen yesterday such crack performers as I* V. Bells Hermis, which carries top weight; Alexander Shields Advance Guard, the "iron horse;" Francesco and others, will not go to the post, as they have not received special preparation for this race. At present those who are trying to pick the Metropolitan winner in advance feel inclined to look with favor upon F. P. Keenes three-year-old colt Injunction, which defeated Andy Williams so handily at Jamaica on Saturday, at the same time giving away lumps of weight according to the scale. Injunction is pronounced the best three-year-old seen this year so far, and if he starts in the Metropolitan he is sure to have recognition. William C. Whitneys mares Gunfire and Leonora Loring have been showing some smart work. The former turned seven furlongs the other day in l:30i in handy fashion. Gunfire is said to be in splendid trim, thanks to the treatment received from trainer John Rogers. On Saturday she breezed a mile at Sheepshead Bay in 1:465, "on the bit." James R. Keenes Clarion and Rigidon are likely starters. New York, with 107 pounds, is a probable starter. He has been working well at Gravesend under the watchful eye of trainer Lightfoot, and his owner, G. L. Richards, the Boston publisher, thinks the horse will win to a certainty. Newton Benningtons Royal, which has been a disappointment so far, because he has not raced up to his work, will undoubtedly be a starter, and the same may be said of Green B. Morris Old England, which worked six furlongs at Morris Park on Saturday in 1:151, the best performance over the track so far. Alexander Shields will probably send Hunter Raine and Zoroaster to the barrier, as each of them has had the benefit of a race or two at Jamaica. P. J. Dwyer will probably reserve Merry Acrobat for the Withers, though the Handspring colt is eligible for the Metropolitan. Slave, from Green B. Morris stable, has worked well, and will undoubtedly go to the starters hands. Judging from present indications the Metropolitan will be an open race with half a dozen or more candidates carrying the publics money. The popularity of the Jamaica track is already assured. All who have visited the place have had nothing but words of praise for the whole arrangement. Some, however, are inclined to criticise the management because a track one mile and a quarter in circumference, instead of a mile, was not constructed, also because the homestretch was not made longer by at least a furlong, thereby avoiding the sharp turn opposite the fieldstand. When the midsummer meetly ing at Jamaica rolls around the five-furlong straightaway chute at the head of the stretch will be in use. Unlike the Eclipse and the Futurity straightaways, the new Jamaica chute is so situated that the spectators will be able to make out the different horses at all stages of the race, for the reason that the starting post is located so that the horses i run at almost right angles with the lawn and stands until they reach the main track, " where they turn into the homestretch at the j bend above the betting ring.
