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PROBABILITIES POINT TO A SMALL FIELD NUMERICALLY FOR THE THIRTIETH RUNNING OF THE Futurity Stakes Next Saturday NEW YORK, N. Y., September 10. Probably one of the smallest fields in the history of the Futurity will face the starter next Saturday for this great feature, worth more than 5,000 to the winner, the exact sum depending upon the number of starters that go to the post. As the time approaches one can not sift out more than a half dozen of the eli-gibles that will dare face each other. This is a a small field indeed, considering the fact that for years it has boasted of an almost uncommandable group of contestants; so much so in past years that the result has been a scramble in some instances, though it has been rare the best horse has been defeated. Really good horses are usually returned the winners. This years event is generally conceded to be between two horses. Some think there is but one Man o War. Not until recently has a worthy contender loomed into the picture, when Dominique stepped into the limelight upon more than one occasion. He has certainly earned a right to consideration and will no doubt prove so far at least a part of the race, and at the difference in weight for such a grueling race might, and the word MIGHT is used advisably, drive Man o War into the hardest battle he has ever had. According to the probable weights to be carried Man o War is billed to have 130 pounds and Dominique 122. There is some dispute concerning Man o Wars impost, and it may be he will only have to carry 127 pounds, as a clause in the conditions declares that three pounds allowance may be claimed if the forebears of an entry has not produced a winner prior to 1917. This privilege has been claimed for Man o War on the part of the dam Mahubah, as Man o Wars sire, Fair Play, has begotten many winners. As near as can be predicted at this moment the remaining starters outside of the two stars might include Cleopatra and Star Court, the latter not entirely probable, from the Coe stable; Upset, John P. Grier or Are-thusa from the group owned by Mr. H. P. Whitney. Paul Jones, which is being prepared to carry the colors of Captain Ral Parr, and possibly, though not probably, Donna-cona, a fine looking colt that Max Hirsch has been sending along with the intention of his carrying the Loft colors if he is considered in fit , condition to be a contender. It is a sparse field to race for such an event and such a goodly sum of money, but the- achievements or both Man oWarftirnd Dominique havfe been so pronounvcU .that feu" owners have the nerve to face an entrance fee of more than S300 to send a candidate to the post. Some of the real sportsmen will do it for no other reason than to have a representative in the race. But if only three go to the post Man o War, Dominique and Cleopatra it will be one of the events of the season. Many things can happen in a horse race, however, and as usual some owner will send a horse to the post in the hope that the goddess of fortune will favor. Such things have occurred. There have been surprises in the Futurity. LAlouette won when she was looked upon as outclassed. So was the underrated Cinderella of the Thompson stable in 1897. The year before Ogden won. So little was thought of his chances that any odds were offered against him and his unfashionable rider, Tuberville. Then there was Trojans victory, which was totally unexpected. But he was suited by the heavy going that prevailed at Saratoga in the year 1914. These instances are mentioned showing that all sorts of things can happen, but they are infrequent. Yet as some owners declare: "We have hopes." All the owners that will be represented can be termed easterners. Kentucky has a representative in Miss Jemima, but she has trained off her spring form and Charles Rowe has decided it would be a waste of money to pay her starting fee. Nearly every owner and breeder of prominence had nominations, but as usual out of the 898 entries received hardly one per cent will step into the sunlight of the starting post and straight ground of contention. Fator being set down by starter Cassidy for the meeting will deprive S. C. Hildreth, his employer, of his services in the Futurity. He was slated to ride Dominique. "If I cannot get Cassidy to relent," said Hildreth, "I shall probably ride Kummer on the colt, but have not yet definitely decided." James Rowe, who trains the H. P. Whitney candidates for the Futurity, thinks he will start but two horses next Saturday in the historic race. "From what I know now," said Mr. Rowe, "I shall only send two horses to the post Upset and John P. Grier. Ambrose will ride John P. Grier, but cannot yet tell who will be on Upset. Knapp is riding out of luck, and while he is the best rider one could wisharound a stable he does not seem to be in his best form. I guess his constant reducing has not helped him any, as he has to work hard to do 116 pounds. "I naturally want to win the race, and it is only just to Mr. Whitney to get the best horseman possible to ride. It places me in a rather undesirable position, as I would like Knapp to ride, but what am I to do when I know and he knows, too, that he is not riding up to his best form. He may ride Upset, anyhow, as I have not yet made up my mind who I could get that would do better. I was looking over the probable starters today and there will be no more than six or seven candidates. But we never can tell. Men drop in their horses for a big stake at the last minute when least expected." Max Hirsch will probably send On Watch to the post in the Futurity. He intended to have Donnacona carry the Loft colors, but he hurt himself a trifle in his last race, and the necessary let up has put him back in his work. The horse recovered completely, but will hardly be fit for such an event as the Futurity on Saturday. Kelsay will have the mount on On Watch. . The conditions of the race prescribe that if the stallion lias not sired or the mare produced a winner prior to January 1, 1917, the produce will be allowed three pounds for either or five pounds for both. "Said allowance to be claimed at time of entry." Three pounds were duly claimed for Mahubah at the time of her entry. So Man o Wars weight is 127 pounds and Dominiques is 122.
