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RAIN SPOILS AT SARATOGA. HEAVY DOWNPOUR AFFECTS THE GOING AND LEADS TO MANY WITHDRAWALS. Tom MeTaggart Takes the Principle Race Closely Contested Steeplechase Old Rosebud Springs the Uovelty of Fainting Track Gossip. P.y .7. L. Dempscy. Saratoga, X. Y., August 24. Mud ratine was the order tliis afternoon as a result of a terrific downpour during the night and early hours. The weather continued threatening and served to reduce the attendance somewhat. The storm again broke immediately after the last race was run and caused discomfort for a number -who had witnessed the af ter-noons track proceedings. Because of the changed track, withdrawals from the different dashes were plentiful and. as no outstanding feature was programmed, the sport on the whole was dull. Excepting in the steeplechase, in which the finish was so close that it required the official placing to determine the winner. Several intended good things were howled over and more than offset losses layers incurred by the victories of favorites. There were four starters in the steeplechase and they ran closely grouped for the most part o the race, all jumping cleanly, and the race developed into a terrific drive between Ballybay and The Brook on the flat. The last-named triumphed in the last stride. Man Slayer was an active factor until H. Ilaynes, his rider, allowed him to lose much ground at the last two hedges. Archdale was a Tcceding favorite in the race and Booths effort on- him was somewhat weird. The snort began with a victory for Matinee Idol, which in urevious starts here had always been a sharp contehder. Doubt as to his ability to run well in the going, was responsible for the good price against him. He followed Fragonard closely until in the stretch, where he drew out to win as his rider pleased. Of the sixteen carded in the Rensselaer Handicap at seven-eighths, for all ages, ten declined the issue, with Tom MeTaggart closing a pronounced fuvv.rtttf aiiflWindlmf-iip-thewinnTr over Tea Caddy, with Butterscotch II. following. Tea Cuddy showed a higlr flight of sneed in the race, but succumbed nejir dli; t-111 when Tom MeTaggart came with a rush. Nashville, Held in High Regard, Fails Badly. Nashville- was held in high regnrd in the. third race at one mile, but he never figured in the rnn-ning :nd failed to get a place, the winner turning up in Kebo, which came with a rush and easily passed First Ballot, which in the early running had taken a ten lengths lead. The excessive use made of First Ballot caused her to tire badly in the stretch and Silver Sandals had no difficulty in heading her at the end for second place. Sam McMeekin was given but slight consideration in the fifth, race and he receded from an opening favorites price rapidly. The support was all for Blue Thistle, but after flattering extensively for a half mile, he retired ami Sam McMeekin came on to an easy win from Peep Sight, with Meditation taking third place. The final race, in which maiden two-year-olds started, was an easy gallop for J. E. Wideners Memories II., which won practically as her rider pleased after having shown the way from the start, another foreign-bred one. Bonne Cause, landing in second place before Perigourdine, with Wood Violet following. The last named was in the deepest going for most of the way and weakly ridden by the diminutive Petz, otherwise she would probably have been second. Old Rosebuds fainting spell this afternoon will, it is thought, not result in anything serious for him, but trainer Weir may refrain from starting him tomorrow as a precautionary measure. The horse was readied for mounting and was to have gone out on the track for a work-out, preparatory for a start tomorrow, when he toppled over in a heap, apparently dead. He remained on the ground several minutes before again showing signs of life, but later on seemed fully recovered. Secretary Joseph McLennan, was advised today by Joseph A. Murphy that matters were progressing smoothly in St. Louis and that glowing prospects were in view for the Maxwelton ten days meeting. A big party of followers will leave here Tuesday next to be on hand for the opening there. Dick Williams to Be Shipped to St. Louis. II, Perkins will ship his Dick Williams, Phocion and others to nice at St. Louis. Jockey Frank Murphy has been engaged to do the riding for the stable while in the Mound City. Honest Joint Kelly was among the ylsitors today. It. was his first visit here this year. Jockey Schuttinger narrowly escaped serious injury yesterday after the races, when the auto-nlobile in which he was riding with his wife and iiiother-in-liiw- was crashed into. The ladies were badly shaken up when they were hurled out of the car and had to be taken to a local hospital. They will be out in a few days. Schuttinger was uninjured and the car demolished. James Farnum, who is interested in the Charleston track, was among todays arrivals here. J. S. Ownbeys string of eight racers, including the four yearlings he recently purchased, here, will be shipped to Havre de Grace next Tuesday. The1 good filly Kathleen has been turned over to John F. Schorr to train. Jockey Charles Peak will so with the Weir-Ap-plegate stable to Belmont Park and ride Old Rosebud and, .the other horses in the stable during the remainder of the season. Top V the Wave, bought at the Beverwyck sale last night by C. J. Fitz Gerald, has. been turned over to J. Byer to train and will be taken to Belmont Park next week. August Belmont, chairman of the Jockey Club, is expected to arrive tonight.
