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REAL CHAMPioNSHiP TEST Saratoga Cup Just the Race to Determine Superiority of Man o War or Sir Barton. SARATOGA, N. Y., August 23. With the Saratoga meeting Hearing its close the demand is becoming insistent for a test of speed between Man o War and Sir Barton. The Saratoga Cup, at a mile and three-quarters, to be run on the closing day of the meeting, is just the race to determine the matter of superiority, and the public hopes that Messrs. Riddle and Ross will send their champions to the post on that occasion. Both horses are destined for the stud, and the glamour of a victory in the Saratoga Cup would be considerable for cither, though Sir Barton will unquestionably be reserved as a private stallion. It has been said that the Cup docs not carry a sufficient monetary prize to attract the best horses, but those who make this assertion are going on the belief that commercialism is all there is in racing today. Neither Mr. Riddle nor Commander Ros has shown himself devoid of sportsmanship, and it is confidently expected that if both Man o War and Sir Barton are fit and well on Cup day they will be found at the .post; The public which has made it possible to hold a months high-class sport at this point through their generous patronage should be considered. It is probable that Man o War and Sir Barton, should they botli start for the Cup, will find strong competition in the shape of Exterminator, the winner in 1919, and there may lie others among the eligiblcs whose owners are willing to contribute to tiie effort which is being made to popularize racing over a long distance. Among the best known nominations for the Cup outside of those already named are: Upset, John P. Grier, Wildair, Gnome, Gladiator, Blazes, On Watch, Donnacona, Rouleau, Cirrus, Mad Hatter and Cleopatra. The Cup Is one of the oldest and popular fixtures of the American turf, having been" on the list of the events here since 1855, when it was won by Kentucky. It should be a fitting climax to a meeting which will long,, be remembered by those who THIS "WEEKS STAKE FEATURES. Among the prominent features for the current week are the Spinaway Stakes for two-year-old fillies, the Merchants and Citizens Handicap and the Saratoga Steeplechase, all to be run next Saturday. The former lias a guaranteed cash value of ,500, ami it has a list of nominations which promises a contest of the highest class. In no former year that can be recalled has there been so many promising fillies in training and the best of them are in the Spinaway. Think of the race this event will furnish if Nancy Lee, Prudery, Careful, Valley of the Moon and Honey Girl all answer the bugle call! There are good judges who think that a filly is the best two-year-old of the year. Some say Prudery others Nancy Lee, and still others point to the remarkable record of Careful". Then there is Valley of the Moon, the newest sensation to be reckoned with. This handsome daughter of Friar Rock lias extraordinary speed and it is only a matter of being able to carry it over a long distance in order to make" her a most dangerous factor in any race. The Merchants and Citizens at a mile and three-sixteenths is the sort of race which would tighten up a Cup candidate, and a fine field may be confidently looked for in that event. Chief among the eligiblcs are Man o War, Sir Barton. Boniface, Exterminator, Gnome, John P. Grier, Wildair, Dr. Clark, The Porter, Mad Hatter, Cleopatra, Minto II., Sway, Cirrus, Thunderstorm, Dinna Care and Gladiator. This is a superb list from which to draw a field. For Tuesday the Mohawk, a selling event for three-year olds, at a mile, will no doubt furnish a race worth seeing, as the nominations include many colts and fillies above the ordinary plater division. On Wednesday the Adirondack Handicap for two-year-olds, and carrying a cash value of ,000, will be run. It is over the three-quarter route, and among the eligibles are a majority of the good juveniles. It may be the occasion for the debut of Montalvo, the "dark horse" which the Rossetcr interests are said to be holding in reserve for the 0,000 Hopeful Stakes on the closing day of the meeting. A representative field may be looked for in this event. Thursdays feature will be the Huron Handicap for three-year-olds, at a mile and three-sixteenths. This has always been a good race. Man o War is among the eligibles, which, include John P. Grier, Wildair, Upset, Dr. Clark, Constancy, Biff Bang, Blazes, Gladiator, Dinna Care, Rouleau, Cleopatra and Blue Wrack.
