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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. With Africander coming along well at Gravesend, there will be an opportunity, barring accidents, of his wiping out the defeat he suffered in The September, when The Picket finished in front of him handily. It was in that race that Africander pulled up so lame that he had to be retired, and it was feared for a time that he had suffered a bowed tendon. Latest reports are that he is in the best of health, and an occasional romp in his Gravesend paddock is ample proof as to his spirits. These colts should meet in many of the big classics, for which it is promised both will be pointed, and their meeting will be looked forward to with interest both east and west. Gorman and Bauer, it is reported, have decided to race exclusively in the east next year. All but the best of their present string will be disposed of, and they hope to have a winning stable. The star of the string is the Mirthful colt Bardolph, which was one of the good three-year-olds of the west during the last season. The standby of the stable, however, is Jack Rattlin, now a four-year-old. Jack Rattlin is a sort of second Logan, one of the kind that goes on for a long time, if not forever. Jack Rattlin has started against all sorts of horses and under varying conditions as to weight and track, but has always given a good account of himself. Gorman went east two years ago with Mabel Winn and a few other horses of moderate class, and although his colors were seen in front on several occasions, his horses were not the kind to win the big events. He was mixed up in a selling race strife while there that was no doubt a bit expensive. An agreement was made last Saturday at Lexington, Ky., by Major T. J. Carson, Baker and Gentry, Colonel E. F. Clay, Catesby Woodford, J. N Camden, Jr., and L. P. Tarlton to offer their yearlings together in one sale during the spring in New York City. The offering will consist of sons and daughters of Ben Strome, St. George and Sir Dixon. The plan is to sell them in blocks of five at a time from each farm. The aggregation will make over 100 head. George C. Graddy, the "Versailles turfman, has bought of Tom Griffin the three-year-old chestnut filly Musical Slipper, by Chorister Cinderella, by Hermit. She will be retired to the stud and bred to Tithonus. Price private.
