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NOTABLE DAY FOR RACING BRILLIANT ASSEMBLAGE WITNESSES DECISION OF PROGRAM AT SARATOGA. Gathcrinc at Spa Greatest Since Hart-Agnew Law Became Effective Grasmere Wins United States Hotel Stakes and Wise Mason the Champlain. Saratoga. N. Y.. August 21. Saratoga race track was today tlio Mecca for devotees of the turf from nil parts of the United States ami Canada. It was the greatest day racing lias scon since the Hart-Agncw law wont into effect. In June. 190S. The attendance approximated 15.010 persons, representative of the liest in all walks of life. Viewed from the inlield the grandstand, elnlihonse and lawns, thronged with beautifully gowned women and well-grooined men. was an inspiring sight. There was a notable delegation of politicians from Now York and other cities of the state present, including "Hie Tim" Sullivan. James W. Wndswortli. Thurlow Weed and William S. Barnes. A. Henry Iliggin.-on and a party of friends came from Boston by special train to see the running of the steeplechase. In which Mr. Iligginson was represented by his two recent high-priced purchases. Sir Wooster and Bal-lacalla. Tim presence of nearly every turfman of prominence in the country helped to make the occasion memorable. The two big features on the Hat were marred by foul riding, and the decision of the United States Hotel Stakes was attended by a disqualification. Originally weak numerically, the Held in this race-was further depleted by the withdrawal of Herkimer, Pretend and Noon. The latter is a reputedly fast green eolt in .1. E. Maddens stable. This leit only Waldo. Grasmere, Shannon and Fauntleroy of those named overnight, with Chickasaw liguring a; an added starter. The start was bad, Fauntleroy beating the gati and Grasmere getting away in bis stride, with the other three not ready. Chickasaw was off worst of all, iMing nearly left. Grasmere quickly assumed the lead, with McLaughlins youngster his nearest attendant and the others hopelessly in the rear, with the favorite on the inside of Shannon in close quarters and the victim of jockey Nicols timidity and procrastination, which proved fatal when Chickasaw ranged alongside and began crowding the pair. J Waldo was forced to mill up abruptly on approaching the half-mile pole and sustained several bruises and cuts from coutact with the fence. This virtually eliminated him as a contender and lie linisucd n lieaten-off third. The race resolved itself into a procession. Grasmere lending throughout, with Fauntleroy- .second and the others trailing. In the absence of any. cjaiiu of foul, patrol judge J. L. Hall furnished evidence that caused the stewards to take action in Kaimtleroys ease. Hall described the incident connected with the fouling of Waldo correctly, but be got mixed as to the identity of the offender. It was as much a physical impossibility for Fauntleroy to have fouled any one of the trio of trailers as it would have been for Grasmere, the winner, to do it. both being so far in front that they had the race to themselves at all stages. Notwithstanding the interference, Waldo, hitherto unbeaten and acclaimed the eastern juvenile champion, ran bad race. All four of liis legs were heavily bandaged. While the result may not have iieen affected, a genuinely serious case of fouling and rough riding occurred in the Cliamplain Handicap. The offender was Wist- Mason, the winner, which cut across five of ills opponents Olambala. Bouquet. Berkeley. Live Wire and Great Heavens so sharply that thev wen-all but thrown on the inner fence rail. All were forced to pull up and their chances of winning thereby materially reduced. Olambala. the chief victim, sensationally closed a big gap to finish a fast-going second, getting up in the last stride or two to wrest the place from Bouquet. The winner was a good liorse today, though absolutely neglected in the betting. It. T. Wilson. Jr.. himself went to the extent of ordering the jockey on Olambala to lodge a claim of foul against tlu winner, which, however, was not allowed. When the crowding occurred the excitement in the clubhouse and grand stand was intense. Everybody who saw the horse-jammed together expected serious consequences. Tho North American Steeplechase was a gloriou.-race through the Held, with the topnotchers of the cross-country division engaged, including Tliistie-dale. Wntorway. Ballacalla. Sir Wooster and Grandpa. After the first mile the flrst-mentioned pair drew away from the others and engaged in one of the most strenuous struggles ever seen through the Held. Waterway, in receipt of eleven pounds, prevailed finally over tlie more accomplished Thistle dale. Waterway had been having a hard time of it at Saratoga, having been the victim of had jockey-ship or worse. Waterways repeated failures had left trainer Boyle broke, and the liorse was offered for sale liefore the race for ,500. Jockey Wilson, who commenced to ease up prematurely with Fiucastle in the Ballstou Steeplechase, and who was nearly caught napping for third place by O. K.. was cautioned by the stewards. James It. Keene was a notable absentee from the races today. It is said that the famous turfman is suffering from an attack of cold. Grasmercs success was the third in succession for his colors in the United States Hotel Stakes. St. Dunstan. the Montpelier Stables disappointing two-year-old. has been gelded. August Belmonts Fair Play will arrive at Graves-end from England next Monday, lie will he trained for racing in this country by Thomas Welsh. H. J. Morris, who acted as one of the stewards during the running of the juvenile stake, informed the upwspaper men that Fauntleroy bad moved up from last place near the half-mile pole and crowded Waldo. Jockey Vincent Powers was suspended for the meeting for the offense. P. J. Dwyer is giving a birthday party to about a hundred of his friends at the clubhouse at the race course tonight.
