view raw text
CRACK HORSES IN YICTORY ! Man o War Proves Himself Our Best Two-Year-Old. Cudgel Vanquishes Star Master, Exterminator and Sun Briar Without Trouble. BY J. L. DEMPSEY. SARATOGA SPRIXGS, X. Y., August 23. The running of the Grand Union Hotel Stakes firmly established Man o War as the champion of this years two-year-olds and likewise removed the last vestige of doubt as to his real greatness, for he beat his opponents, including his former conqueror, Upset, in the most hollow fashion, the last eighth of the three-quarters finding him moving at a little better pace than an ordinary canter. Unlike in his former start, Loftus had him away from the barrier in a forward position and, after measuring strides for the first eighth with Upset, he took the lead and just after being straightened for the stretch raeing it was a hopeless task for the others to displace him. Loftus- began easing the Riddle colt up in the last eighth and this enabled Upset -to get as close to him as he did. Upset had no difficulty in disposing of Blazes for second place and Blazes outstayed the others for third place. The stakes had a net value to the winner of ,000. - ; The ease with" which Man o War disposed of Upset this afternoon verified the assertions of the critics that Man o War was easily Upsets master under anything like even conditions. Jockey Loftus, in commenting on the colts performance today, stated that at no time did he release him from restraint. "Dont know how fast he- would have run had I allowed him. There was no reason for his best speed, as he had the others seemingly well spent to live up to his pace during the. first three-eighths and the rest of the race was only a canter. Only two more races remain for Man o War, according to his owners intention at present before he goes into retirement for the year. His next appearance under colors will be on the closing day here, next Saturday, when he essays the task of adding the Hopeful Stakes to his list of victories. Then he goes to Belmont Park to start in the Futurity Stakes. He will be sent then, to the Glen Riddle Farm, there to remain until he makes his three-year-old debut at Belmont Park, where he inaugurated his -brilliant two-year-old career. Judged by his impressive race this afternoon, should he remain in the same superb condition, the two remaining stakes, and, by the way, they are the richest offerings of the year for two-year-olds, are seemingly at his mercy. His one defeat so far this season was under flaky circumstances. CUDGELS SPLENDID PERFORMANCE. Equal interest witli the Grand Union Hotel Stakes was the running of the Merchants and Citizens Handicap, at a mile and three-sixteenths, for it promised a rousing struggle between Cudgel and Sun Briar under equal weight assignments, witli the exception of a years difference in ages, the Commander Ross representative being a five-year-old. The race was not productive of as keen a battle as was anticipated, for Cudgel came home to the finish practically unattended, and instead of the most serious contention coming from Sun Briar, it developed from Star Master, with Exterminator in third place." The Kilmer pair were intrusted to Loftus and Knapp, the former on Exterminator, and he was rushed into the lead at once, with Sun Briar staying close to Cudgel, and that horse instantly suffered when Knapp guided Sun Briar across in front of him at the seven-eighths post. Exterminator then continued in the van, with his stablemate following, but Cudgel kept doggedly at the heels of the pair until approaching the far turn, where Loftus rode his mount wide, and Knapp, anticipating the action as if it had been previously rehearsed, shot Sun Briar through with great speed, and had taken a lead of almost five lengths in a twinkling. Cudgel, however, was too good a horse even to be denied the victory by a "two-timing" process, for he came around the others, though coming wide, and an eighth from the finish he was level with the leaders. At this juncture Sande got revenge, for he made for the inner rail and it caused a momentary jam, in which Exterminator suffered most, and before Loftus could get him to recover Star Master had dropped into second place and kept in that position to the finish. The running of tills race clarified in a measure the difference of opinion concerning the merits of Cudgel and Sun Briar. The hitters showing was a dull one iu comparison with that of the victor. The race restores Cudgel to his former lofty pedestal. Cudgels net share of the stake was ,075. The Beverwyck Steeplechase Handicap, .worth ,130 net, was the supplementary feature to the other two stakes for the afternoon, and had three starters in the interest of two owners, Hibler and Elysian being coupled as the F. Ambrose Clark entry. Doublet, which carried J. E. Wideners colors, came to grief at the sixth jump and ljis Contiuued on second page. CRACK "HORSES IN VICTORY Continued from first page. elimination made it virtually a walkover for the entry. Hibler led for the entire way, with Elysian following him at a steady pace and they passed the finish in this order. Delightful weather and the excellent card was responsible for another banner attendance being on hand to enjoy the sport. In the great throng were many .notables. The club section was particularly well filled. The handicap at three-quarters, which closed the days sport, brought with it the most outstanding incident.. of. the afternoon, as two of the starters were left at the post and Hollisters defeat was in a measure due to Knapps blunders. Ills claim of foiif against the winner. Enfilade, was not recognized by the stewards. The leaving of Leoeharcs arid Lord Brighton at the barrier was due to Lord Brighton wheeling in a circle and preventing Leoeharcs from starting. Hollister was the best horse in the race, but Knapps indecision about choosing a course in the, last quarter brought about interference for the. Macombcr representative and Enfilade succeeded in leading him home. W. F. Poison uncovered his Purl in the opening raca.Jind.thatlim-SCar.-old made a show of the others, winning easily from Faisan Dore and Who Cares. After the finish Ral Parr bought Purl on his bid of. ,700, which was an advance of 00 over his entered prlve. Faisan Dore was retained by his owners claim of ,150, which was ,450 in excess of his entered price, and Carline S., entered for ,100, was claimed for ,005 by C. Garhau. The running of the fifth race, Avon by Mary Belle from Dimitri and Water War, brought with its finish tile claiming" of Water War by Sam Louis for ,200, an advance of 00 over his entered price, and James was claimed by Mose Lowenstein for ,200. The latter was also entered for 00. Jockey II. Lunsford departed tonight for Lexington to join his new contract employer. He may return hijre to rifle 6iiq of the- J. E. Madden starters in the Hopeful Stakes and also have a mount in the Futurity on one of the same owners representatives. Brookholt and Rouleau will carry Montford Jones colors in the Futurity, to he run at Belmont Park, and then be transferred to Kentucky to engage in the racing there, according to present plans of trainer Edward Garrison. Motr Cops presence in the last race held much interest to many who regard him as the best sprinter in the country. It was his frist start since May 15, when he vaS injured by being severely cut about the legs in a race. Jockey W. Knapp will do most of the heavy riding for Larry Waterburys stable, according to arrangements entered into by P. T. Chinn and the rider this morning. Jockey Fator will do most of the stables light riding,
