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SMART SET SOMETIMES AT SEA. Persons in search of inside paddock Information from owners and trainers who had starters in last Wednesdays races at Gravesend were partially convinced that horsemen iu many cases know less about the chances of their thoroughbreds than casual observers. "General MacGregor will surely beat Zacatecas," said trainer Blakeley to inquiriers before the first race. Then Zacatecas won in a canter, while Blakeleys colt did not finish in the money. "Juggler cannot be worse than second." declared owner Smitlison before the second race, but Juggler was a poor third. "Huck has 110 chance to get near the money." predicted owner T. C. McDowell, as the horse left the paddock for the third event. But Huck ran a smashing good race aud, with better luck at the start, he might have won. II. It. Brandt also said thai his Angelus. favorite in this race, could not lose, and then saw the son of Sandringhaui finish last. Frank Weir was positive that Rockstone would be at least third iu the fifth race. But the Rockton gelding bad no speed at all. The climax was reached just before the last race, when "Conductor" McManus told his friends that Rocky OBrien had no chance to win. after which Rocky got first money by a nose. Trainer Welsh predicted that Prince Imperial would win by a city block and the 2,000 colt came home far back iu the ruck. All ot which shows the uncertainty of racing, of which there would be none if the horses ran like so niauv machines.
