view raw text
SARATOGA NEXT WEEK Important Stake Races to Be Decided in Its Course. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y., Aug. 1C One of the veterans of the turf who has been coming to the races at this point since the sport was established here remarked as he viewed the throng that came from all parts of the country to see the splendid field of two-year-olds contend for honors in the Saratoga Special on the second Saturday of the meeting: "I wish that Charlie Wheatley could be here today and see what a change has been wrought in this course, every foot of which was so dear to him." Mr. Wheatley was "Charlie" to the intimates who knew him as one of the most efficient secretaries and handicappsrs this country has known. He was an official of the old-time school like H. G. Crickmore who was an encyclopedia of the turf when a writer of turf topics, for the New York World and later a painstaking secretary of the Westchester Racing Association, who knew that things were right when he did them himself. Mr. Wheatley was a part of the old regime at Saratoga and the sport could not have functioned without him as he filled practically every position except starter and was instrumental in keeping racing going when the turf was at its lowest ebb in this part of the Empire State. It is a far cry from the days of Wheatley and those associated with him to the present period when the racing at this point is among the most important of the United States, attracting the finest horses from all parts of the Union. The old ramshackle stand that held a handfull of spectators in the years when the races were called at 12 oclock has been replaced by a modern structure which is rapidly becoming too small for the throngs like that of today when it was packed to overflowing to see the crack three-year-olds of the year in the historic Travers Stakes which was first run for in 1864, and is therefore the oldest fixture of its kind that has been raced for continuously in the United States. The sandy mile course has been replaced by a modern track measuring a mile and a furlong and the growth of the sport has necessitated the building of stabling accommodations for a thousand more horses that ever gathered here in the days of Wheatley. The grounds have been extended and beautified until there is little for the art of landscape expert to suggest. It is not surprising therefore to find the horse lovers of the country thronging the town for the month of August. Each day furnishes its own brilliant program with special features on Saturdays when the attendance is recruited from a radius of 250 miles. Brilliant as the sport has been in the opening part of the meeting there is promise of equally as good racing during the last two weeks when some of the most important races arc down for decision. Chief among them arc the Grand Union Hotel Stakes, the Merchants and Citizens Handicap and the Beyerwyck Handicap Steeplechase which are run on Saturday next. In the former which is for two-year-olds all the best of the juveniles in training here are expected to go to the post. It will be interesting to see whether the New York-bred Sunny Man from the Binghamton stable of Willis Sharpe Kilmer can duplicate the feat of his sire Sun Briar which shouldered the extreme penalty for a two-year-old and won the race in 1917 over a good field with 130 pounds in the saddle. . Sun Briar had won other races at the meeting but it wasnt till he carried the limit that he was recognized as the best of his year at Saratoga. By his victories in the United States Hotel Stakes and the Saratoga Special Sunny Man has taken pride of place over those of his age here this year. The fact that he was foaled in New York State has not been lost sight of, by the breeders of the North who have been encouraged to raise more and better horses and have had the wholehearted support of the Breeding Bureau of the Jockey Club which has for its Chairman Frank K. Sturgis whose devotion to the turf and its allied interest of horse breeding is so well known. Opposed to Sunny Man in the Grand Union Hotel Stakes, which has a value of 0,000, are the best colts and fillies from the most prominent stables in the United States. While the field will comprise Voltaic, Swope, Noah, The Bat, Arcady, Felix, Cloudland, Reminder, Marcellus, Devonshire, Fast Mail, Brown Sugar, Pas Seul, Flying- Ebony, Dangerous, Stirrup Cup and others that have shown well, it must not be forgoten that Sunny Man will also have as competitors the sensational American Flag, the consistent Single Foot and perhaps the fleet English-bred Master Charlie, bought here a year ago, for ,000 and victorious over the best youngsters that raced around New York last spring. No one knows how good American Flag is going to be. When he won an overnight race early in the meeting over a heavy course coming from far behind the leaderss he brought the crowd to its feet. He was the counterpart of his famous sire as he rushed down the homestretch covering ground with the tremendous frictionless stride that was characteristic of his parent He is so much like Man o War in other ways that the public, whose love for the regal chestnut is still warm, will not be surprised at anything he does. Apropos of Man o War, those critics ready to pronounce him a failure as a sire are preparing to hide their diminished heads since the appearance of American Flag and Maid at Arms. Nobody is willing to accept Swopes race in the special as his true form. He is much better than he showed then. The same is true of others that ran in that event and for that reason the Grand Union is claiming a lot of attention. Should Sunny Man win it the public will be generous in its praise. The Merchants and Citizens Handicap for three-year-olds and over is one of the best of the races for the older horses at the meeting. It is run over a mile and three-sixteenths and has all the good ones of the year engaged. The probable starters include several that are being prepared for the International series in which Epinard is to take part. Conspicuous among the probable starters are Grey Lag, Zev, Mad Hatter, Chaco-let, Sarazen, Sting, My Own, Wilderness, In Memoriam, Klondyke, Sivingalong, Enchant- ment, Audacious, Serenader, Little Chief, Little Celt, Hephaistos, Aga Khan, Rockminister and a score of others that have fine records to their credit An eligible that will attract attention if he goes to the post is the English horse Roman Bachelor which was a good winner abroad and has been recently imported by William A. Read. There have been a lot of hard fought battles for this handicap, that between Sir Barton and Gnome in 1920 when the record for the course and the race, 1 :55 was made, being so stubbornly contested that it is still talked of by the talent The race this year, because of its bearing on the Epinard series will have an extra drawing quality. All the crack jumpers with the exception of Not Much are down for the Beverwyck Steeplechase. Those that should face the starter include: Dan FV., a great favorite here and the winner last year of the Saratoga Steeplechase, the Irish mare Melra, Bullseye, the winner in 1922, and again last year, Boss John, Pirate Gold, Carabinier, Autumn Bells, Guingamp, winner of the 510,000 Woodbine Steeplechase, Houdini, Dunks Green, Double Tip, Sky Scraper II. and Philosopher. It should be a stirring contest and arouse the enthusiasm of the throng, serving as an appetizer for the racing feast which is to follow. Earlier in the week the Catskill Claiming Stakes of ,500 for three-year-olds and over at seven-eighths will be run on Monday. The Troy Stakes of similar conditions and value, for two-year-olds at five and a half furlongs will be contested on Tuesday, while Wednesdays card will be enlivened by U;e running of the Grab Bag Handicap, value ,000 for two-year-olds at three-quarters mile. Under the provisions of this event horses may be leased, and race in the colors of the subscriber. It has been a popular race since its inception in 1914. Last year R. E. Vickerman of Philadelphia was the winner with the fleet filly Happy Thoughts leased from W. V. Thraves of Kentucky. On Thursday the Mohawk Claiming Stakes for three-year-olds with an added value of ,500 will be on the card, while one of the best of Fred Rehber-gers overnight programs will constitute the attraction for Friday.
