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* LACK OF CONDITION BEAT TURF STARS i i i Omar Khayyam and Roamer Hot Ready for Grueling Race with Well Seasoned Campaigners. i New York. May 31. — "There could lie no more pro nouiiced illustration of the fact that condition is the . prime factor in the result of a horse race." declared a prominent trainer and handioaptier, after Trompe La , Mort had won the Metropolitan Handicap, at Bel- mont Park. "Weight is of no more iin|M»rtance. if . a horse is not in condition, than a feather on its back. Roamer could not have won the race with . any kind of weight up, hut with another race or two he probably would reverse the decision if put to the test with Trom|ie La Mort. "Tlie same can also be said of others that f«re racing. Omar Khayyam did not run at all. Who would have dreamed, after his race with Hourless at Laurel last fall, that five horses would beat him in the Metropolitan? To even hint at such a tiling would have made one ridiculous. It goes to show though that even cheap selling platers will beat good horses if the latter are not in condition. Uoanier is getting along in years, and it takes I time to get old horses up to their best form — much . longer tlian younger horses. While Andrew Miller believed he had a possible chance to win. he would I rather have seen another good work or two to the , credit of Itoamer. Both he and his trainer. Jack Goldsborough. were satisfied tliat Roamer was . j becoming good, but they wen- a unit in regard to not sending him to Kentucky for the big handicap. . "Lots of cxnense and the danger of traveling for nothing." was Mr. Millers remark when he declined , to share the car with Cudgel, bound for Louisville. : "There are quite a few good handicaps that Roamer , might win, to lie run on local tracks, so what is the use of giving him the strain of traveling and carry ing high weights elsewhere when there are good , prospects in sight at home." That Omar Khayyam did not run up to the ox . lactations of either Mr. Vinu, his owner, or "Saudv" McNanghton. his trainer, was plainly told I by the expression of their faces after the race. Mr. Vian seemed to think it was the blinker equipment that caused Omar Khayyam to run so poorly, as the horse had not lieen thus dressed since his ; Derby victory last year. The next time he starts. is is not probable he will lie decked out with i 1 blinkers and he may run a far better nice. It may not, however, have been the blinkers that t caused his lack of si iced. The son of Marco had not [ looked at his l»est in Maryland. Then came the change of training methods, which may not have . . been to his fancy. Furthermore, the horse was sick for the first few days after McNuughton took him. "He is doing well now. though." said McNanghton. J "eating good and feeling good. That makes one think the blinkers had something to do with his , isior race. We shall see later on. I know he will , 1 do better." . The next scheduled meeting of Omar Khayyam 1 and Roamer is in the Suburban, to be run June S. : On that day it is probable great changes will lie . made in the condition of both horses, and it is probable that horses which beat them both in the . Mctroiiolitan will be struggling to get home in the division of followers ii|m»u that occasion.
