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: , GREAT GELDINGS IN PRESENT RACING. Borrow, Boots, Roamer and Old Rosehud a Group "Without Precedent at One Time. It is a singular, and in one way, unfortunate circumstance, that right at the top of our best handicap horses of this year are four geldings. The one way unfortunate, is that these horses of mighty deeds in racing, were not preserved entire to become in time the sires of others of their kind. It is questionable whether at any one time before in American racing, four geldings of such superlative prowess as Roamer, Boots, Borrow and Old Rosebud were clashing in thrilling and nobly-contested races. Fortunate are the New York patrons of racing who arc vouchsafed the privilege of viewing these splendid creatures in long to be remembered competition. Of the four, Borrow is perhaps the most remarkable racer, because he is three years older than the other trio, being now nine years old, while they are all six-year-olds. It is really amazing to find a hor.se of his age still preserving his speed to such an extent as to be able to run a mile and ah eighth in 1:49 with 117 pounds up as he did in the Brooklyn Haidican. Subsequently in the Brookdale Han-: dicap, Boots, with 127 pounds up, ran the same distance in the same time. Roamer, with 126 pounds, was second, beaten a half length. Borrow, carrying 124 pounds, was third, two lengths back of Roamer, an instance of excellent handicapping, but carrying with it the reflection that Borrows victory in the Brooklyn should not have brought an increase of seven pounds in weight. AVith 125 on Roamer and 120 on Borrow, there in all probability would have been something approximating a dead heat between the three doughty warriors of the track. It is worth noting that in the Brook-dale the mile was covered in 1:36 by Roamer, while in the Brooklyn the time of the first mile was 1:36, and made in this case by Regret, representing in each case something close to the limit of speed at the distance. In winning three of his four races since going east and finishing third in the Brooklyn, with Roamer and Boots behind him. Old Rosebud has undis-putably proved his right to a place in the first rank. One cannot help wondering what his place in racing would now be, had it been his portion to remain as sound as Roamer lias. In that case the uncomfortable impression prevalent in regard to his ability to stay over a fairly long route, would probably have never been engendered. His easy Kentucky Derby victory is against the non-staying suspicion, although a mile and a quarter is no test of true staying. At any rate there is no questioning his possession of enormous speed and, his long retirement considered, he is right now a wonder as a race horse. Boots May Be Slightly Best of the Four. Probably could a vote be taken a majority of patrons of racing would hold Boots to be slightly the best of this illustrious four. He may be. But not much. English writers have expressed wonder at his reputation in this country, overlooking the fact that their own racing has furnished many instances of fine race horses slow in blooming into full development of their natural endowments. Truth to tell, Boots was not an imposing figure in his racing in England, but he was slow in coming to his best estate and is now a high-class handicap horse of great speed and a weight carrier of high degree. Over there he won twice when a two-year-old and twice when a three-year-old, both of his victories at the latter lwing at a mile and a half. In this latter circumstance is a hint that he would stay better over a really long racing route than any of his three unsexed rivals, although Roamer has won at a mile and a half in good style. As anomalous as is the situation in respect to these geldings being at the top of the tree in our handicap division, is the fact that none of our entire handicap horses appears to be able to cope with them on equal terms. Possibly The Finn might have asserted himself to that extent, but for the accident that befell him recently and which may keep him in retirement for a long time. Probably it may be Regrets especial mission to humble ; these equine notables. She is a grand mare and capable of doing so. i In all Borrow started in thirty-four races in i England, of which he won eleven and 1,297.50. i Boots ran in fourteen races there, winning four and . ,195. Roamer and Old Rosebud had their racing confined to this side of the water To date their i achievements in racing reduced to figures are: Horse. Sts. 1st. 2d. 3d. Unp. Won. ! Borrow 73 22 16 11 24 3,167.50 ! Roamer 66 27 17 5 17 63,960.00 ! Old Rosebud 34 25 3 3 3 45,152.00 Boots 24 11 1 3 9 20,225.00
