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FAMOUS FUTURITY NEXT SATURDAY Interesting Details in Connection with the Most Coveted Stake Event in American Racing, By C. .7. Fitz Gerald. New York, September 1. No race that was ever framed in the United States has had the glamor and appeal of the Futurity, which will be run at Belmont Park on Saturday next, the seventh day of the autumn meeting of the Westchester Racing Association, which opened so auspiciously yesterday at picturesque Belmont Park. It is for two-year-old colts and fillies, whose dams were named when they were bred and the fact that the original nominators of the first, second and third at the finish have a share in the prize money is a contributing influence in making the race the popular feature it has been since the day it was first contested in 1SSS at the Coney Island Jockey Clubs superb course, Sheepshoad Bay. Conceived in the fertile brain of James G. K. Lawrence, then the secretary of the Coney Island Jockey Club, it was designed to stimulate the thoroughbred breeding industry of the United States and in this it has succeeded to an extraordinary degree. It engaged the attention of the multi-millionaire with his band 3f richly-bred matrons in blue grass or alfalfa pastures, and it cast a spell upon the poor man with a mare or two whose blood lines kindled the hope that a winner of the great race might come from his paddocks. It is the lure which has tempted many an enthusiast as lie sat at the sales ring and bid on a mare whose blood lie thought would "nick" with that of his favorite sire. The original race was won by Proctor Knott, a bald faced gelding by Luke Blackburn, with the negro jockey Barnes in the saddle and in second place came Salvator, by Prince Charlie, destined afterward to be one of the stars of the turf, with Galen, a Missouri-bred and owned colt, third. It was a triumph for Kentucky and Democracy and Sam Bryant, owner of the winner, with his red hair and beard and long boots, was the most picturesque figure New York boasted that autumn. Proctor Knott, Sam Bryant and Barnes have all passed these many years, but there isnt a breeder of thoroughbreds today, big or small, who doesnt know the story of that race and in whose breast there is not an ambition to win a Futurity. Barometer of. the Sport in This Country. With the exception of two years 1911 and 1912 tin; Futurity has been contested either at Slieeps-head Bay, Saratoga. or -Belmont Park, and its history is a barometer of the sport in tiie United States from 18SS to the present day. When Proctor Knott won the race it was worth 5,000. So great was the interest in the new event that the total nomination the following year exceeded the initial offering of about 35 per cent., and the tidy sum of 1917.sh3,075 was divided between Chaos, St. Carlo and Sinaloa II., this trio fighting their wav through a pack of twenty-three starters. Still greater in popularity was the year 1S90, when the high water mark for the event was reached with 7,000 as the reward Potomac, Masher and Stratli-meath. It was on this occasion that the late August Belmont achieved the most signal triumph of his long racing career by running first and second with colts of his own breeding. Though many owners have since that time been represented by two or more candidates, none has equaled this record. It was a fitting climax to a long and honorable term of service in behalf of the turf and its perpetuation. When another year rolled round and His Highness flashed in front, though of Nursery lineage, he here the blue jacket of David Gideon in place of the maijran and scarlet of his breeder. Yorkville Belle was second and Dagonet third, and the total was 2,000. From that year the value varied with the vicissitudes of the times, until in 1913, when Pennant won for Harry Payne AVhitney over Southern Maid, Addie M. and five others, its value was but 5, 0fJ0. Through all the years, however, the faithful in Kentucky, California, Missouri, New Jersey, New-York, Virginia and every other state where grass grows green and pure water runs, have kept the traditions of the race alive. With a brighter era dawning and fresh infusions of blood coming from across the sea, the beacon light of progress is illumining the way to a bigger and better Futurity than ever before. Sun Brif r and War Cloud Not Eligible. While Sun Briar, War Cloud and other popular favorites are not eligible for this years contest, there is an abundance of promising material bred in this country and the experts have figured that the starters will number upwards of a score. Papp, the giant son of Peter Quince, regardeil at. present by many as a star, should find the long straight course at Belmont exactly to his liking. Itosie OGrady will have another chance to show her neat heels to the colts and in this task she will not be the1 only representative of tiie gentler sex, as Samuel Willets will be represented, by Seamstress, G. I. Widener, Jr., by Rose dOr. James Butler by Empress. Senator J. N. Camden by Atalanta and Frederick Slocum by Star Class. Probably the greatest filly of them all Smoky Lamp, a victim of racing luck will not see the post because of a strained ankle. The Macomber silks will be sported by Tracksend and War Machine, botli colts of high promise, while T. C. McDowell will start American Eagle, an attractive product of the Ashland Stud. Escoba, representing Kenneth D. Alexander, who is at the front in France, may fulfill his early Kentucky promise and bear away the laurel. Top Coat may carry the Butler colors in addition to Empress and Happy Go Lucky mav be sent to the post in the Whitney colors to help Rosie OGrady, his recent showing . having been good. Compadre and Ultima Thule would appear to be the best of the Corrigan eligibles. It is worthy of note that Star Class, Seamstress, Empress. Atalanta and War Machine are the only prospective candidates which are not entitled to an allowance through sire or dam or both. Compadre. by Colin Playmate, by virtue of being the first foal of his daughter, the full allowance of five pounds; Papp, through his dam. Pliebe G., is entitled to three pounds, as are also American Eagle, Bosie OGrady, Happy Go Lucky, Ultima Thule, Escoba and Tracksend. While it is too early to give a complete list of the starters, it is known that the following will positively go to the post as the riders given below have been engaged to pilot them: George W. Lofts Pan J. McTaggart. T. C. McDowells American Eagle E. Martin. IT. P. Whitneys Itosie OGrady F. Robinson. II. P. Whitneys Happy Go Lucky C. Peak. J. W. Corrigans Ultima Thule A. Schuttinger. Samuel Willets Seamstress It. Troxler. K. I. Alexanders Escoba W. Knapp. J. N. Camdens Atalanta J. Morys. A. K. Macombers Tracksend M. Buxtoii. A. K. Macombers War Machine J. Loftus. M. L. Schwartz Thistle J. Williams.
