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SARATOGA MEETING UP TO STANDARD. Sport at the Springs Always Starts Lamelike, hut Takes Upward Trend After First Few Days. By Ed Cole. Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Aug. 3. It is the general impression that the opening of the Saratoga season seems quiet and not up to the usual standard. This is erroneous. The gate for the first two days was better than last year for the same period, according to official figures. Racing at the Springs always starts lamblike and takes an upward trend after the first few days in point of attendance. There are three reasons for the seasons slowness just now, the war, the market and the extremely hot weather, all three of which have done much to keep folks home instead of traveling. Next week the indicating finger points to improvement, though it must be admitted that there are many regular club house members missing from .the usual ranks. Andrew Miller came near losing his Textile colt. The Spinner, after his race yesterday. He was jumped on during the running and cut above the hock, within an inch of the hamstring. "It is a bad cut," said trainer Goldsborough and will keep him quiet for about a week, but it came near putting him out of business. Yet. it may prove a good thing for him, as he lost fifty pounds traveling from New York and the few days idleness will certainly do him good. Textile sired a filly, dam Submarine, named Crepe de Chine that was the fastest yearling I ever trained. She ran a quarter on the Brooklyn track in twenty-three seconds, something no other yearling ever did excepting Mr. Keenes filly Puss in Boots. I dont think she will train, however, being so rapid that she pulls up sore. I think she would have been a remarkable filly and indicates that Textile will prove a worthy sire when mated with suitable mares." Barney Schreiber is here, but will go to St. Louis to be on hand for the prospective meeting promoted by Joseph A. Murphy. "I think the prospects are bright for some sort of racing legislation in Missouri," said Mr. Schreiber. "Mr. Murphy has a number of the younger sporting element of Missouri willing to help the sport and if the coming meeting is a success, it will advance the cause I am sure." Sales Hold at Night Not Popular. The night horse sales, to be held here, do not seem to lie popular. An idea can be gleaned from John W. Schorrs remark, when asked last night if he was going to the sale. "What sale is it and where?" The morning between 11 and noon is recommended as the more seasonable hour among horsemen. IiJ, It. Bradley says several of his horses suffered considerably in transit from Canada, due to the excessive heat. The report at Kenilworth that Black Toney pulled up lame in his last race is not true, though Mr. Bradley is at loss to account for his poor showing. A skin disease in prevalent in some of the stables and the cause is disputed by horsemen. Some believe the intense heat of the past few days has done much to bring it out, while others believe it is conveyed from one horse to another by the girthing. Walter House is of the latter opinion and claims that riders using the same girths on their several mounts spreads the disease to such an extent that it takes but a short time to infect all stables that have horses to race. "It is a sure thing," said Mr. House, "that the girthing of different horses with the same girth carries the disease around and horses are quick to contract the trouble, when they are perspiring. There should be some means of disinfecting the equipment used from one horse to another. Of course the heat makes horses more susceptible these days, but in any event, methods could be used to check the trouble as much as possible." "All my horses are troubled with skin disease," chimed in Sam Hildreth. "Some times they break out quickly and after washing with a solution it goes away, but it frequently gets troublesome. I dont know what causes it, but I do know that it is a nuisance and, while it may not have any after effect, it is annoying." Hildreth and House are not the only two complainants. There are several others whose horses are suffering. The malady is not permanent by any means, but as Mr. dreth says is annoying, as it stops routine care of horses. Continued on second page. SARATOGA MEETING UP TO STANDARD. Continued from first page. Ed Ileffner was asked when he intended to start The Finn again. "Just as soon as he works to suit me and convinces me that lie will run a good race. At present he is doing well, but when lie hesitates in. his work, I urn going to hesitate with hjm and train accordingly. I never intend to start him until I am convinced he will run his race." A late arrival today was William Fleischmann, who was a prominent figure in turf affairs some years ago when the Fleischmann colors were carried by some of the best horses in training. Congressman Sullivan stopped off here for a fe,w days to enjoy the sport. "The word enjoy is used conditionally," said the congressman. "It all depends how those oral gentlemen treat me. If they gather from me- it will not be enjoyable; should 1 gather from them, it will be pleasure supreme." Jesse Lewisohn intends to stay the meeting if his health permits. He has been an absentee during the earlier season, but Saratoga has a charm for him as well as being a healthful resort. It was suggested after Royal Ambor broke his leg in the steeplechase, that Dr. McCully provide the track with the surgical instrument he uses to dispose of horses after fatal falls. It Is a humane contrivance for such purposes. There was considerable unfavorable comment before the fifth race. The official jockey board indicated there would be six starters, hut being a claiming race in which horses could be claimed before the race; two of them were claimed and taken out of the sixth, leaving but four starters to go to the post. Many of the oral bettors had laid odds against all six and when two were scratched, it upset -all calculations. Then? was evidently some error in not notifying the official board man there would he but four starters, which in future should be avoided in all fairness to layers and backers. - .
