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RACING DOWN EAST. Concerning current features interesting to followers of the turf in general, the New York Sun of Monday says: "The most important race to be decided during this week at Morris Park is the National Stallion Stakes of 5,000, for two-year-olds, which will be run next Saturday over the last five furlongs of the Eclipse course. This event usually brings out the best youngsters in training and gives the public a good line on coming champions in this class. For next Saturdays race the get of such famous sires as Hastings, Henry of Navarre, Sir Dixon, Esher, Atheling, Handspring, His Highness, Kingston, Horoscope, Dr. MacBride, Watercress, Mirthful, Goldfinch, Meadowthorpe, Kantaka, Meddler, Albert, Hamburg, Galore and others are eligible to start. Of a long list the most probable selections to go to the post are August Belmonts Magistrate and Ninepin, the former a full brother to Masterman, which won a clever race last week at Westchester; the Columbia stables Graziallo, which showed speed at Bennings, but was a loser at Jamaica and Aqueduct; the Goughacres stables Interlude and Atheron, both of promise; James R. Keenes Careless and Kohinoor; Foxhall P. Keenes Wizard and Palmbearer, both winners; E. R. Thomas Dimple, recently purchased from J. E. Madden; Green B. Morris fleet colts Rapid Water, Precious Stone and Boxwood, all having already earned brackets; Sidney Pagets Yellow Hammer, John W. Schorrs Cloverton, W. C. Whitneys quartette, Inflexible, Leonidas, Mimosa and Reliance, high-class youngsters which have shown some startling work; R. W. Waldens sprinting filly Contentious, the full sister to Con-testor and Contend, which ranks high among the stars of her sex— these are the gest, but Continued on second page. I RACING DOWN EAST. I Continued from first page. there may be several cracks cut loose between now and the day of the race that at present do not occupy places in the publics calculations. Green B. Morris, it is thought, v holds the winning cards in either Rapid Water, Precious Stone or Boxwood— all bred by J. B. Haggin. "It is the general opinion among turfmen that no really sensational two-year-old has been shown as yet, but the season Is only just beginning to take on headway. That W. C. Whitney has a powerful string of thoroughbreds—more powerful than a year ago at this time— is the statement heard on all sides at the races. So far he has shown winners such as Blackstock, Gunfire, Reliable, Leonidas, Mimosa and one or two others. Mr. Whitney is proceeding this year with deliberation. He is pointing his horses for various big stakes, just as Gunfire was pointed for the Metropolitan and Blackstock for the Excelsior. Those who say they have a correct line on the Whitney stable feel sure that Goldsmith will capture both the Brooklyn and Suburban handicaps, for the reason that he has developed into a magnificent four-year-old after a years rest and has been improving daily in his work at Sheeps-head Bay. Gunfire is already favorite for the Brooklyn, which will be run at Graves-end next week, and if Goldsmith starts, too, the public will follow the light blue, brown cap, with widespread confidence. But the Brooklyn begins to look like an open race. The sterling performance of Frank Farrells Blues last week, when he won in a romp, covering seven furlongs in 1:26 J, has greatly increased the public confidence in him, and several big wagers in the future books have been placed upon the Sir Dixon horse. Somebody, by the way, made the wild statement the other day that after running in the Brooklyn Handicap Blues would be raced exclusively in long-distance events. The assertion was promptly ridiculed by Mr. Far-rell. "The success of Shorthose in the Withers Stakes on Saturday was the topic among turfmen yesterday. There were many compliments bestowed on the colts trainer, Fred Presgrave, who never could see any of the other star colts at all. From the moment that Shorthose won a handicap from Herbert last Wednesday at a mile and an eighth Presgrave was positive that he had the winner of the Withers in his barn. On Wednesday Shorthose had only 98 pounds up, which was generally ascribed .as the reason for his success. But with 126 up in the Withers it was thought by many that the handsome brown son of Atheling would be anchored. That was why the colt was not more generously backed. But he handled the weight easily and ran the mile a full second faster than Compute did it when he won this stake last year. Shorthose pulled up as fine as silk and will be prepared for some of the big specials to be run at Graves-end and Sheepshead Bay. Shorthose, unfortunately, is not eligible for the Belmont Stakes. "No matter where the turf is discussed, there is a strong demand for the punishment of horsemen who use dope to accelerate the speed of their patched-up cripples. The passing of Dr. Riddle, who was simply doped to death, has brought the evil so conspicuously into the limelight that it is safe to say that the men who make use of such stimulants, will keep well under cover for some time to come. But the stewards will always be on the alert. It is understood that they will have several expert horse doctors on duty each day in the paddock and that whenever there is the slightest evidence of the use of drugs or stimulants, the offenders will be haled to the front, asked to explain and then possibly ruled off. "Outside of the National Stallion Stakes, there are a number of other interesting stakes to be run off at Westchester this week. On Thursday the Pocantico Stakes, for three-year-olds at a mile and a sixteenth over the hill, will probably attract River Pirate, St. Daniel, Rigodon, Irascible and several others. There will no doubt be a fine lot of starters in the Gaiety Stakes, for two-year-old fillies, on Friday, as Oriza, Julia M., Dovecote, Ishlana, Petunia, Contentious, Mimosa and other smart misses are eligible. The Grand National Steeplechase and the Ladies Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, are additional features on Saturday. The popularity of racing may be realized from the statement that since the opening of Morris Park on May 7, 170,000 persons, approximately have passed through the gates."
