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, , j , j , j , , , j , , | j , , . . a . . , RACING GOSSIP FROM THE EAST. Good Reasons Advanced for Not Starting Eastern Season at Belmont Park Instead of Jamaica. New York, March 13. — Ambassador Gerard is credited with having complimented H. D. Krown on the character of the racing that has been provided in the season drawing to a close at Oriental Park. It is probable that there was more than the mere courtesies of a club house guest in the kind things the ambassador had to s.iy to the track manager, for Mr. Cerard is one of the influential Americans who have had the advantage of seeing what racing means to the powerful and intelligent foreign nations, and doubtless appreciates the handicaps uniler which the sport has labored in his native country. There are probably good reasons for delaying the opening of Pelmont Park, says the New York Times, and it is crtain that better weather is more likely the longer the delay. It is also likely that the important Kentucky meeting from May lli to 2.". during which the Kentucky Derby is to be run. had its influence on the stewards. The class of horses booked to run in Kentucky unfile kind that will be required to make the stakes at Belmont Park successful, and these will have chance to return east by May 29, when the gates at lielmont Park will be thrown open. It would also be almost impossible to hold a meeting at Belmont Park on May 19, with the meeting of the United Hunts going on just across the way at Belmont Park Terminal. All of these things may have been taken into consideration and, moreover, it is probable that the success gained last year when the same schedule was in use was sufficient to satisfy the rulers of the turf. There is considerable anxiety among the trainers who have wintered their horses at the metropolitan tracks over the ptaaaeet of getting their charges ready for the opining of the campaign at Bowie on April 2. The recent storm destroyed all chance of giving work-outs to the horses, and all that can be done at present is to give walking exercise. Siarc-ly any of the horses which were wintered here will be ready for the bugle all at Bowie, and it is expected that it will he well along in the Maryland season liefore the mi tropolitan trainers have their horses in any condition to meet those which have been racing on the winter tracks. Last year the McLean string was coni|iosed of jumpers, and in the string were Lough Foyle. Kxton. Bonny Ijuldie. Faker and some others. Not so much attention was paid to the flat racing, but for this year the stable is a much more pre tentioiis one, and Mr. McLean liought the entire crop of the Kancocas Stud yearlings last year. He also bought some foreign -breds and one, Rublier II.. a son of Yankee — Caoutchouc, has been named in both the Juvenile and the Keene Mt niorial. to be run at Belmont Park. The McLean Stud is at Leesburg. Va.. and there are a number of brood mares there, already, while others are being added froTii time to time, while it is probable that a first-class stallion will be added to the stock.
