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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. There is a doubt if the promised training ! track at Sheepshead Bay will be ready for the early spring. Work is progressing on the construction, but it promises to be a particularly difficult piece of engineering, and weather will play an important part in the progress, says Morning Telegraph. The new course will be a mile, and is staked off east of the Futurity course and just south of Mr. W. C. Whitneys stables. It will be built to circle in a little grove of trees that adorn that portion of the property, and will extend some distance on the meadows to the northeast of the track proper. A large percentage of the ground that will be taken is of a swampy nature, and the filling that will be necessary will make the work a difficult one in the winter months. A large force of men is on the work, however, and every effort will be directed to have the training ground ready for spring galloping. With the completion of this training course a most important addition will be made to the big course of the Coney Island Jockey Club, and it is a work that is heartily appreciated by horsemen. It will mean that horses may be exercised in all weather and all times. While with the racetrack as the exercise ground it often occurs that trainers have limited opportunities in fitting their charges for the races. A complete report of the recent sale of Mr. William C. Whitneys horses at Newmarket. England, shows that twenty head were disposed of for a total of 8.520 guineas, or about 4,730. The full details of the sale are as follows: Hands Down, b. c, 2, by Meddler Handspun; J. Buchanan 7,850.00 Cossid, br. c, 2, by Lissak Aunt Betsy; M. L. Lossonczy 2,257.50 Mintagon; ch. c, 2. by Martagon Mimi; S. Darling 7,612.50 Per Surprise, ch. c. 2, by Persimmon Surprise Me Not; Count Karoly 1,050.00 Armoea, br. f, 2, by St. Serf Regatta; Mr. Jervis 918.75 Versatile, b. f, 2, by Meddler Poetess; M. L. Lossonczy 1,312.50 Mary Belle, ch. f, 2. by Meddler Torkville Belle; P. P. Peebles... 1,627.50 Early Rose, b. f, 2, by Lissak Rose Standish; 105.00 Bay filly, 2, by Watercress Orange Leaf; 367.50 Chestnut filly, 2, by Meddler-Edith Gray; 393.75 Chestnut filly, 2, by Goldfinch La FJeche 656.25 Chestnut filly, 2, by Meddler Ka- lula; 630.00 Bay filly, 2, by Lissak Cereta: R. S. Sievier 2,625.00 Chestnut filly, 2, by Meddler The Belle; S. Loates 2,677.50 Bay filly, 2, by Lissak Lady Agnes II. ; 315.00 Chestnut gelding, 2, by Kn?"rht of the Thistle or Knight of fliers-lie Clementina; 105.00 Slipthrift, br. c, 4, by Spendthrift Varina; P. P. Peebles 2,730.00 Bay gelding, 1, by Velasquez Meta III. ; 630.00 Bay gelding, 1, by Donovan St. Cataline; 236.25 Chestnut gelding, 1, by Donovan Jinks; 630.00 Total, 20 head 4,730.00 Average per head 2,236.50 Two yearling fillies that were originally scheduled to be sold will be brought to this country. They are a brown, by Velasquez Lady Agnes II., and a .chestnut, by Ayrshire Sister Mary n. Trainer John Hug-gins announces his intention of returning to the United States. Jockey George Thompson has received an offer to ride for S. C. Hildreth for the remainder of the New Orleans meeting. Hildreth agreed to give Thompson a retainer of ,000 a month. The terms are more than satisfactory to the lad, but he does not wish to tie himself down to ride for any owner for any length of time. The chances are that Thompson will have to leave this country before the Crescent City meeting closes, and this will prevent him signing a contract! John Fay has sold to J. G. Grant, of Sheepshead Bay, two yearlings for ,500. One was a chestnut colt, by Ravelston Settle Bell, and the other a bay filly, by The CommonerEdna Parker. Mr. Fay is trying to - buy English Lad from Fred Cook.
