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SMALL FIELD FOR THE SARATOGA CUP Purchase Only High-Class Horse likely to Start in Famous Long-Distance Race. BY EDWARD W. COLE. SARATOGA SPUINGS, X. Y., August 2S. Indications point to a jug-handled race for the Saratoga Cup unless something drops from the clouds to make things- interesting. At this moment there appears to be little contention in sight if Purchase goes to the post, which is quite probable. Cudgel has been reported an absentee; in fact, the field will be so small that the race will become practically a walk-over unless, as said before, something drops from the clouds. Both Sun Briar and Exterminator are eligible, and they may be present, though it is not probable. Hannibal is among the entries, but he was soundly beaten by Purchase a few days ago and his winning chances thereby eliminated. He also pulled up a bit dickey, which may interfere with his future prospects for a while. Hence there is practically nothing left in the race but Purchase and a few horses which may be sent out to pick up second and thi:d money, as has been the case in several of the previous years. There may be a half dozen starters for the Saratoga Cup next Saturday, but this is improbable if Purchase goes to the post. Otherwise there might be a respectable field of just ordinary horses. Tlie two high-priced selling races which were put on the program for an experiment this week did not meet with tlie response anticipated, nor the response deserved. The Saratoga Association gave races to try to please the owners who have horses a shade better than selling platers," yet in both instances the fields were light and practically common, there being but three starters in the race for which 0,000 was quoted as the top price. It was won", hrlglipPOT Elm." with Wyoming second and Buford third, these being the only starters. It is possible these races were "put on too late in the season, after many of the better class of horses had gone away. There were one or two good horses entered, but they were scratched. Judging from the result of these two high-priced selling races, there is little inducement for a continuance of such conditions this year, though they may have laid the foundation for thought and- it may be that next year secretaries will try a second experiment when the material at hand is more abundant. There is no reason why high-priced selling races should not bring out fields that would compare favorably with overnight handicaps, the intention being - to give middle class handicap horses a chance to cam their oats. TWO RICH STAKES FOR MAN 0 WAR. If all things go on well with Man q War horsemen concede him both the rich. Hopeful Stakes, to be run Saturday, and the Futurity, which will be decided on Saturday, September 13, at Belmont Park. Accident only can prevent his winning the double event, in the opinion of practically every horseman and expert. worked a phenomenal trial this morning, covering three-eighths in 33 and finishing out the half in 4014. This work was in preparation for the Hopeful Stakes on Saturday. Hidden Ship was withdrawn from the first race today owing to a swelling in the knee contracted after a gallop this morning. Stewart Polk is nursing a broken rib sustained through being hit by the stirrup iron of a horse while passing too close to him. It is not a serious fracture, but a bit painful. He leaves for Havre de Grace tonight. The bay filly by Assagai Touch Xot, for which J. J. English paid ,700 at the recent yearling sales, ran into the track fence this morning and injured herself so severely she had to be destroyed. Exterminator was worked this morning for the Saratoga Cup. "It is probable he will carry the Kilmer colors in . that event. William McDaniel received . a congratulatory cablegram from Senor A. H. Diaz on the victory of Grayssian in the Adirondack .Handicap yesterday. The message also instructed the trainer to give jockey T. Xolan 00 for his successful efforts.
