view raw text
BELMONT STAKES HISTORY Handicapper Vosburghs Account of Purpose of Big Eastern Race Built on the Lines of the Epsom EpsomDerby Derby Its Eaces and J Winners NEV YORK N Y May 24 The fondest hopes of those who looked for a revival of racing on the scale of a decade ago have been more than realized to date j this season All attendance figures for recent years have been surpassed Interest in the sport is not confined to those who have long found a thrill in those trials of speed and endurance which have made tlie thoroughbred a distinctive type tNew admirers by the thousand are paying tribute to the horse of blood and so numerous has been the patronage that extensive improvements have been completed or are under way at the various courses in thc metropolitan circuit circuitAn An outstanding feature of the racing to date has been tlie unusually promising crop of three yearolds which includes the sensational Sir Bar on winnfrof the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes It will not be surprising to find horses of this age dominating the handicap division this reason reasonThe The running of tlie Suburban Brooklyn Excelsior Empire City and Saratoga Handicaps for which most of the best threeyearolds are scheduled to meet tlie more matured racers should therefore furnish superb contests contestsFor For the Suburban which has long been one of the features of the turf in this country and which was first run for in 1884 at Sheepshead Bay there are fiftyone nominations Tlie race is scheduled foriJSatiirlnv June 7 at BelraonfcParlcf rAmons the good threeyearolds eligible are Sir Barton Eternal Sweep On Viudex Be Frank Purchase The Wanderer Cirrus Star Hampton and Rout ledge while of the older division Cudgel Extermina ¬ tor Sun Briar Star Hawk War Cloud The Porter George Smith Sunny Slope Johren Lanius and Corn Tassel are the most notable notableIt It is in tlie races for their own age how ¬ ever those tests over a long distance of gcouud which do more for the development of the thor ¬ oughbred than a score of sprints where the talent will have an opportunity to enthuse over their respective champions championsBELMONTS BELMONTS PLACE IN TURF HISTORY HISTORYIn In speaking of the Belmont a few days ago W S Vosburgh who has seen every race for the stake since its inauguration in 1867 said saidThe The Belmont was intended to hold a place similar to the Derby of England being the ideal race at even weights no penalties or allowances How ¬ ever it was impossible to make it the Derby dis ¬ tance one and onehalf miles owing to tlie fact that the starting point at Jerome Park would be behind the clubhouse and thus hidden from the view of those in the stand Hence it was made one mile and fiveeighths It closed with eleven nomina ¬ tions and four started It was won by Francis Morris Ruthless bred at Throggs Neck in West rhester County Xew Work She was by imported Eclipse Barbarity The colt finishing second was P F Forbes De Courcey The third was Rivpli owned KentuckyIn by J M Clay of Kentucky In 18 8 it had twentyeight nominations and six starters the winner being General Duke by Lexington owned by McConnell Thompson of Chillicothe Ohio There were thirtyeight nomina ¬ tions and eight starters in 18C9 and the late Hon August Belmont was first and second with Fenian and Glenelg Kingfisher won for Mr Swigert in 1870 and in 1871 the interest in the race was such that there were seventyone nominations Ten started and Colonel McDaniel won with Harry Bas Kett Among the beaten were some great horses including Stockwood By the Sea Nellie Gray Monarchist Wanderer Alroy and Tubman Tlie same owner was successful in 1872 and 1873 with Joe Daniels and Springbok respectively respectivelyGREAT GREAT WINNERS OF BELMONT STAKES STAKESOther Other great horses to win it at Jerome Park resumed Mr Vosburgli were Duke of Magenta Siunidthrift George Kinnoy Inspector B Hanover Sir Dixon In 1800 the race was shifted to Morris Park where the winners were Foxford Pa ¬ tron Commanche and Henry of Xavarre In 1895 owing to the repeal of the Ives law the stakes at Morris Park were declared off Thereupon the Westehester Racing Association was formed and Mr Belmont asked me to arrange a program for an autumn meeting It was out of the question to race at even weights in the autumn Accordingly to save the continuity of the nice I made a handi ¬ cap at a mile and a quarter and it was won by tlie gray horse Belmar In 186 the race resulted in u brilliant victory for Hastings over Handspring Then followed the successes of Scottish Chief Bow ¬ ling Brook Jean Bereaud Ildrim Commando Mas tcnnan Africander Delhi Tanya Burgomaster Peter Pan Colin Joe Madden Sweep Prince Eu ¬ gene Luke McLuke The Finn Friar Rock Hour less and Johren It is a race that should be perpetuated as long as the thoroughbred endures in the United States
