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ALBANY TO ADDED STARTER PRETEND TAKES SARATOGA STAKE FEATURE IN RACE HORSE FASHION. Firestone Wins at the First Asking in Colors of S. C. Hildreth and Rufcia Granda, His Former Stablemate, Also Scores, i Saratoga. N. Y., August 17. Proicnd, anothc" California-bred colt, won stnkc honors today in nice horse f:isliiin. It was in tho cards stellar attraction, the Albany Handicap, at three-quarters, that the Jennings castoff signally distinguished himself Notwithstanding tlio acutely disagreeable weather and track conditions of rain and mud. the horses named overnight to go, consisting of Scarpia. Busy. Medallion, .laequelina. Fauntloroy. Augcroim and .Democrat, not only all started, but were increased by the addition of Pretend at the eleventh liour. Originally an open race, it was rendered more so by the presence of the newcomer. The actual running develoiied a series of remarkable reversals as compared with the preliminary moves of the different candidates. Iretend and Scarpia. the winner :md runner-up. respectively, were conspicuous examples of improved form, while Democrat. Anger-ona and Fauntleroy. which had attracted extensive support by enticing warming-up gallops, failed to race well. The hero of the Albany was- handicapped sit one jiound less than the 110 allotted to Saturdays Hopeful victor. Kocky OBrien, and bis sudden accession of stake class was almost as surprising as that of MeManus colt last Saturday. The adding of Iretend at the last moment was a happy inspiration of trainer Tom Welsh. He doubted bis colts ability to cope successfully over a normal track with the formidable aggregation carded for the Albany, but concluded to take a chance through the fetlock-deep mud. Firestone, formerly one of the stars of Thomas II. Williams big California racing establishment, was the liost Iiorse that raced during tiie afternoon. The crack four-year-old showed a return to his highest form by capturing the opening handicap from fast band. It was Firestones tirst public appearance in the Hlldretli colors since he was a two-vear-old. Hildreth was Firestones original owner, and sold Mm to Williams for 0,000. He was subsequently repurchased by Hildreth for Sl.StO at the Williams dispersal sale at Oakland last, spring, and at the price was declared to have been the cheapest horse ever sold in a sales ring. Kubia Grauda, another much-prized animal of the Williams vfring. sold at tlte same time fori n similar sain, earned brackets, today in the fifth race. S. C. Hildreth. who believes that in Firestone lie bus one of the best handicap horses in the country, wagered ,000 against 2,000 on him. Fou-outsiders scored before the favorites bad an inning. Then the last two races went, to a pair of 7 to 5 chances Kubia Grauda and Miss Popular. A mysterious betting feature was the killing made on Cilennndeane. T. W. OBrien, who has lost over 0.-000 ill wagers on his Ally, did not bet a dollar on her today, yet the layers were mulcted in big sums bv lier victory. H. O. Bedwoll states- that he has no intention of shipping any part of his stable of iiorses to Windsor It was authoritatively announced at the track this morning that the entire stalile of steeplechasers owned bv J. K. Wideuer. now running in France, will be forthwith returned to this country to race. Mr. MeCaiin. winner of an important steeplechas" stake in France last June, is the star of the Wid-ener string. Among other good ones arc Ambush. John M. 1.. Mark Onmberts. Sheriff Williams. ller-mosillo and East River. Mrs. L. A. Livingstons crack two-year-old. Love-tie, has gone amiss and will be retired for the seals. C. Hildreth said today that be would race bis horses on the Florida circuit next -winter. An effort is lelng made to promote August yearling sales at Saratoga. The scheme, however, is considered impracticable by a majority of the horsemen and breeders. Mellowmint Iras lioen purchased by T. Hitchcock. Jr.. for lumping purposes. . There is an unconfirmed report in circulation that Barleythorpc has lieeii sold to .7. E. GafTuey for J,ltXW!is still raining tonight and the track will again lie wet tomorrow.
