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RACING OF UNSURPASSED EXCELLENCE Sport at Saratoga at Its Zenith Billy Kelly Star of First Magnitude By C J Fitz Gerald GeraldSaratoga Saratoga N Y August 24 Those who have been fortunate enough to witness the racing con ¬ ducted by the Saratoga Association for the Improve ¬ ment of the Breed of Horses are universal in the opinion that for the three weeks past it has been surpassed by noni in their recollection Billy Kelly Roamer Sun Briar Johren Cudgel AVesty Hogiin Hannibal and other splendid specimens have demonstrated that speed stamina and ability to carry weights are still among the qualifications which make the horse of blood of the present day the equal of his predecessors predecessorsRoamers Roamers magnificent display of speed and cour ¬ age in his recordbreaking mile on Wednesday was an example of thoroughbred tyne in its highest state of perfection The excitement was pent up while the superb little gelding was reeling of eighth after eighth in time that made veteran racegoers doubt the accuracy of their watches and the acclaim which burst forth from twenty thousand throats as he flashed past the winning post running straight and true though his heart and lungs must have beeri strained to the utmost was a spontaneous tribute to as game a horse as ever stood on racing plates platesIn In no former year have conditions been more auspicious for the thorough enjoyment of the sport The weather has been ideal and the course under the Aladdinlike touch of Superintendent Myer has been a delight to the eye as well as a boon to the men who have to fit the highmettled candi ¬ dates for their engagements Real sportsmanship has been evident on many occasions and that charity for which the patrons of racing are re ¬ nowned has been exemplified in many ways as witness the raising of almost 20000 for the vari ¬ ous Red Cross funds during the past week through iho medium of a special days racing a subscription steeplechase and an auction auctionINDUSTRY INDUSTRY FIRMLY ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHEDAnd And last hut not least the season lias demon ¬ strated that the thoroughbred breeding industry of the country is on a solid foundation the prices for the Nursery Stud yearlings on Saturday last proving that juveniles of blood and individuality are in de ¬ mand at prices that would be considered high in normal times timesTwoyearolds Twoyearolds of distinction have trod the turf at Saratoga since the early sixties but it is doubtful whether a better one than Billy Kelly has ever been seen here and no records for a like period any ¬ where can parallel the nerformanees of this unsexed son of Dick Welles In twenty days lie started in five races and won all but one and tliose who saw him beaten for the Albany Handicap will always attribute the loss of that race to a bad ride rideBeginning Beginning with the Flash Stakes on the opening day he has won the United States Hotel Stakes with 127 pounds the Sanford Memorial with 130 pounds and the Grab Bag Handicap with 135 pounds His last race was his best and it is a pity that he is not eligible for either the Grand Union or Hopeful Stakes the twoyearold features for today and tin closing day of the meeting re ¬ spectively He will however be sent to the post on Wednesday mxt for the Adirondack Handicap HandicapThat That Mr Vosburgh will give him at least 137 pounds is a foregone conclusion Twoyearolds can carry weight better than older horses and then are plenty of good judges who will pin their faith to the sober steadygoing little bundle of whipcord and steel no matter what the opposition may be It is difficult to understand why he should have been entered for one of the 10000 stakes and left out of Hit Grand Union and Hopeful the lastnamed of a guaranteed value of 30000
