Await Bugle Call at Saratoga: All Set for What Everyone Believes Will be Greatest Meeting in History of Spa, Daily Racing Form, 1917-07-31

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AWAIT BUGLE CALL AT SARATOGA. All Set for "What Everyone Believes Will Bo Greatest Meeting in History of Spa. Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 30. With the engagement of every available private bouse and cottage and reservations for accommodations at hotels from almost every state in the union and the principal cities of Canada hooked by eager followers of the turf, and the best thoroughbreds of the present day enjoying the invigorating atmosphere of the pines at Horse Haven, this town eagerly awaits the sounding of the bugle on Wednesday afternoon, which will mark the opening what President Wilson and his associates in the Saratoga Association for the Improvement of the Dreed of Horses believe will be the greatest year in the history of the local organization. There have been other years when the racing at Saratoga possessed unusual charm, but with the three-year-old crown in dispute ami tin? turf world divided in its allegiance in the two-year-old and handicap divisions, the battles on the yellow eclipse, which lias echoed to the hoof beats of all our greatest horses for over a half century, will be necessary before an accurate estimate of class may be arriyed at. Tie season of 1910 had a decidedly international flavor and some of the importations from abroad showed brilliant form. This year the names of two forojgh-bred three-year-olds, Ilourless and Omar Khayyam, appear to dominate the three-year-old situation absolutely, and none of the contests scheduled for the month of August will exceed In interest the first meeting of this pair of fliers the one born in France and the other in England both possessing those qualifications in a superlative degree which have made the thoroughbred endure through generations. Ilourless, unmatched for beauty of form and richness of coloring, has still a host of friends despite, his defeat for the Urooklyn Derby, and the bulldog son of Marco must show his heels to the pride of the Belmont, stable over a fast track before posterity will proclaim him the champion three-year-old of the year. Whether Mr. Viau sees fit to accept Mr. Belmonts proposal to have the two colts meet in a special sweepstakes, with the money to go to the Red Cross fund, or prefers to engage Ilourless in the Kenner or some other stake event in which both colts are engaged, should not affect the .interest which is displayed from coast to coast. All that is asked is a fair field and no favor. .Undoubtedly a fast track -would" be one of the conditions which" the followers of Ilourless would demand as a component part of the tost. Great Contest Expected in Kenner Stakes, Should both Ilourless and Omar Khayyam go to the post in the Kenner Stakes on Saturday, they will probably have for company such good performers as Rickety, Ticket, Campflre and Cudgel. This would give an added zest to the race, which was first run for in 1870, when it was won by the great Enquirer, one of the best sons of Leamington. It was originally a dash at two miles and as such, called for those qualities which have made the American thoroughbred it synonym for that dauntless courage which has ever been a characteristic of the true race horse. It is true that the distance of the Kenner today is much loss than that of 1S70, but tin? pact? at which the horses of our time race from start to finish makes it a test that "will search out soft spots as unerringly as though the original route was in use. But the throng will not have to wait until Saturday, August 4, for a thrill. Old Rosebud, whom handienpner Vosburgh reckons as the best horse in training, inasmuch as he makes him carry 132 pounds, to 130 for Boots and 1120 for Regret, and eleven pounds more than his old rival Roamer in the Saratoga Handicap, is a certain starter on Wednesday. The presence of the handsome gelding, whose "comeback" is perhaps the most sensational in the history of the turf, will be a powerful drawing card, as he has not been seen at Saratoga since the day he won the Flash Stakes in such commanding fashion four years ago. Those who saw him beat Boots for the 0,000 Frontier Handicap at Windsor recently, were amazed at the ease with which the task was accomplished. Old Rosebud simply galloped unextended from start to finish on that occasion. Boots had no excuse, though some of his admirers maintain that the stretches were too short for him. At Kenilwortli, where Old Rosebud ran on July 24, his impost was the same as he will have to shoulder on Wednesday. He merely cantered home far in advance of hi;: competitors, and today as be cropped the tender grasses at Horse Haven he was the picture of a thoroughbred ready to run for his life. i Should Old Rosebud add Wedpesdays handicap to his already long list of victories, he will indeed be a Titan. Olambala won tie race in 1010 and Roamer in 1915, eacii with 128 pounds up, while Waterboy was victorious in 11103, with a pound less in the saddle. In the opinion of many, Wednesdays field will be as great in quality as any that has ever gone to the post ftir the race. Trainer Weir is confident that his charge can win. ."Rosebud made Woodford Clay think Roamer was only a plater when they met as two-year-olds," said Weir today. "I dont know really how good my horses are. Ho has done everything I have ever asked him, and if the track is good on Wednesday the public will see a great race."


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800