view raw text
Here and There on the Turf St. James Has Speed. Sarazens Training. A Governor at the Races. Exterminators Return. When St. James galloped a half mile over the Belmont Park main course in :46:-, Wednesday morning for the edification of his owner, George D. Widener, it was demon st rated that he at least has all his last years speed. The son of Ambassador IV. and Bobolink II. has grown into one of the best looking three year olds to be found in training and, with such a flight of speed at this time, it is evident that he has improved over last year. Three quarters was as far as St. James was required to run last year and, of course, his ability to go on still remains to be proved, but the first requisite for any good horse is speed and he has that in abundance. He has every blood reason to go on and A. J. Joyner may be depended upon to try his magnificent charge thoroughly before he is sent after the big stakes to which he is eligible. St. James had a long term of special work before he was brought on the track this spring and that has done plenty in muscling him up. He has had long gallops in the open and before long this sensational half mile move will be followed by a longer and fast gallop. What is of greatest importance at this time is that the Widener colt is enjoying robust health and that he has lost none of his speed. Should Joyner so desire he ought to be able to have his illustrious charge fit and ready for the running of the 0,000 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 12. And while St. James impresses, Max Hirst h is going along with Mrs. Vanderbilts unbeaten gelding. Sarazen, in a way that is entirely satisfactory. The son of High Tme and Rush Box is further advanced than St. James; but it is Likely he will be called on before the son of Ambassador IV. He is a candidate for the mUe and three sixteenths of the 5,000 Dixie Handicap at Pimlico on May 3 and is expect ed that he will ber colors in that race. To ask a three year old to meet older hore over such a route, so early in the season is a bit unusual, but Sarazen is a remarkable three -year old and the Dixie Handicap might readily be an important part of his preparation for the Kentucky Derby to be run May 17. He is not an eligible to the Preakness, by reason of beir.g unsexed. Though bred principally for speed Saraien proved his ability to race a mile in the best company as a two year old and his training operations thus far this spring suggest that he will go on as far as any other horse. With St. James and Saraien both in training at Belmont Park, there is sure to be a new measurement fame for the big Nassau county track a« a winter training ground. Then when the Racocas Stable string is brought on by S. C. Hildreth, there will be new tales told of three year old accomplishments. Every early promise points to a truly re-Maikabk array among three year olds for 1924 j , and the richer stakes have never held out brighter prospects for high class contests. With eleven named for the first steeplechase of the year there came an execellent index of the revived interest in cross country racing. Of the eleven, only one was withdrawn and ten makes a fine fit Id for any American steeple- , base. At Pimlico it is a sure thing that the , fields will be larger, but this beginning tells of j what is to be expected at Havre de Grace and , there need be no fear of a lack of performers in that picturesque branch of the sport. i 0- is interesting to know that Governor E. i lvnf organ of West Virginia graced the Hunt l iifjjlon races with his presence. I There arc other governors who have ex- 1 j , , , j , i i l I 1 pressed their fondness for the turf and time was when it was looked upon as an important part of the social duties of a state executive to attend race meetings. Every one knows, who knows anything of the turf, that George Washington was an ardent supporter of racing and that he bred and raced his own horses. Governor Bowie was another who played an important part in the history of the turf and there were scores of others. The late Woodrow Wilson on two different occasions found time to attend the races, even when his duties made it well nigh impossible for him to consult his own pleasures. He loved horses and rarely enjoyed a good con test between thoroughbreds. There was nothing unusual in the attendance of Governor Morgan at Huntington, but it is always cheering to find one more governor who finds amusement in the great, big, red blooded sport . The return of Exterminator at Havre de Grace Thursday was a tremendous big thing for racing. To analyze the race would make it appear that it was not so much of a con test, but anything that Exterminator does at this time is a big thing. Not in a generation has there been such a turf idol as the son of McGee and Fair Empress and if he can go on after this beginning it will be of a sentimental value that cannot be overestimated. Exterminator has passed Man o War in point of money won. He has been the same honest, old, game gelding year after year and, while it is natural that in his ninth year he ! should lose some of the vigor of youth, he still has that great big heart and that do or die quality that is most to be desired in the thor oughbred. May Exterminator go on is the devout wish of all who love the turf and love the thoroughbred horse.
