view raw text
SARATOGAS GRAND FINALE Three Outstanding Fixtures for Saturday, the Last Day. VoO.000 Hopeful, Saratoga Cup and Saratoga Steeplechase the Big Attractions for Farewell Program. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. T., Aug. 27. With the 550,000 Hopeful, the Saratoga Cup, and the Saratoga Steeplechase down for decision next Saturday the closing day of the meeting, the Saratoga Association can in a measure be accused of "keeping the good wine till the last," though as a matter of fact there hasnt been a day of the meeting that some race of interest has not been carded to command the attention of the throng that has paid tribute to the thoroughbred during the month of August. The presence of a single good feature on a card is usually enough to bring out the faithful, but on the closing day three of the best fixtures are grouped, with a catering to the taste of those who are fond of flat racing and chasing a divided interest, it is true, but both having to do Avith the horse of blood, and each necessary in the fullest development of the type. For the man who is fond of the spectacular and colorful aspect of the turf the Hopeful with its big field, and the Saratoga Steeplechase because of the thrill that comes from watching a field of evenly matched horses, flying their obstacles, will exert a more powerful appeal perhaps than will be derived from the race for the Saratoga Cup whose mile and three quarters calls for qualities that have more to do with the improvement of the type than the three-quarters dash that will decide a fortune in the juvenile test The Hopeful, on account of its value-j-it is one of the richest races on the American turf exercises an influence on the public that is readily understood. Casual race-Koers associate it with the Futurity to be run two weeks later at Belmont Park and regard the Saratoga feature as furnishing a line of the fine old fixture that has always attracted the faithful around New York. It is the Old Guard of the turf that will scrutinize the pedigree of the winner of the Cup and recall the days when a horse or mare that couldnt win at cup distances was not thought desirable material for the stud. HOPEFULS ELIGIBLES. The Hopeful this year lias 179 eligibles. and from present indications it will have twenty or more starters. The entries include nearly all the best of the year in the juvenile class. Nicholas, the grey colt recently bought by Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt for 0,000, is -unfortunately not among the entries but the public will see Swope, American Flag, Bunny Man, By Hisself, Sun Hathor, Voltaic, Single Foot, Stimulus, Coudland, Dangerous, Pas Seul, Master Charlie, Flying Ebony, Joe Marrone in., New Moon, Stirrup Cup, Le Hoi, Fast Mail, Felix, Arcady, The Bat, Koah, Marcellus, Judge Fuller and others that have fine performances to their credit, Tinder colors. Despite the showing of Sunny Man, who lias that fine turn of speed necessary to get out or trouble in a big field a quality that is most desirable where races are run around a turn good judges are not yet convinced that he is a better colt than Swope. Each colt has a devoted following, while there is a fast increasing group of enthusiasts who believe that American Flag Will prove to be the -pick of the juvenile liasket in the end. As yet lie hasnt beaten a first class colt but he looks the part and lias so many of the earmarks of his sire that he is liable to develop into a clinker. There are others in the Hopeful that are on the improving list. Felix, for example, has all the attributes of a fine race horse, and should improve. The same is true of Voltaic, whose chief trouble is getting around a turn. Cloud-land captivated the talent by his display of courage in the Saratoga Special when he came from far hack to take third place to Sunny Man and Voltaic And so it goes all lown the list of probable starters in the Hopeful Stakes of 1924. Many of them have promise. SARATOGA CUP ITEM. The field for the Saratoga Cup should he larger than usual, and the hope is heing nurtured that Grey Xag will be sufficiently far advanced in his training to be able to go to the post as it is now a certainty that My Own is being pointed for the race. Others that are eligible and have been getting the sort of preparation demanded by such a searching test are the "Western crack Cha-colet, undoubtedly the best long-distance runner among the mares, Little Chief, one of the toughest horses in training and the winner of the Tijuana Cup at two miles the past winter. My Play, the superb looking brother to Man o War, capable of running all day any time his ailing foot will stand the work needed to get so gross a horse fit for such a race. Wilderness, a handsome and well-bred horse that is destined to take the place of his grandsire, Olambala, in the ICirklevington Stud. Mad Hatter, on whose part a victory would bulk large as the old eon of Fair Play has won nearly every other race of note on the Saratoga program, Ttockminister a stout and distance running eon of Friar RoclC that distinguished himself as a three-year-old by beating as good a colt as Lucky Play, and Roman Bachelor, the 32nglish "handicapper" brought over last winter by the Laurel Park Stud in the belief that he would be able to hold his own with the best of our horses. There are others, of course, that may he sent to the post, including the three-year-olds Aga Khan, Sting, Big Blaze, Dare Say and Bob Tail, but the race would seem to "belong to the older horses this year. It is a pity that In Memoriam cannot be gotten ready for any of his engagements here, owing to an attack of sickness. He would have been a great drawing card in the east, where he is known as the conqueror of Zev principally. Zev is another named for the Cup but he is not far enough advanced to get to the post in that race in the opinion of those who have seen him at work of ilate. It would be interesting if he should come along in time to measure strides with My Own, whose star has been in the ascendent since the opening day when he won ; the Saratoga Handicap in such brilliant style. Rear Admiral Grayson would have reason to be proud if My Own should win the Cup again this year. It is one of the finest old races run in the United States, dating from 1865, when it was won by Hunters and Travers Kentucky, which also scored in the following year. Other horses to win the Travers twice are Parole, Springbrook and Genl Monroe, while old Exterminator has the record with four straight wins from 19 to 22. Other winners include Beldame, which shares with Los Angeles and Running "Water the distinction of being the only mares capable of txiking the measure of the horses in such a trying race. Longfellow won it and so did Africander, Olambala, Roamer, Friar Rock and Johreri, all real good performers over a long distance of ground. The Saratoga Steeplechase is generally recognized as the best cross-country event of the mid-summer period and the pick of the chasers are prepared for. it each year. This year there are fifty-eight named for. the prize. Of these Not Much, Dan IV., Bullseye, Autumn Bells, Pirate Gold, Sans Peche, Melra, Cara-binier. Dunks Green, Houdini, Sea Skipper, Skyscraper H., Colibri, Boss John and Gas-par are the best. El Kantara is unfortunately not among the eligibles. If the contest this year measures up to that of 1923 when the French horse, Dan IV., won, the spectators will have reason to congratulate themselves, the finish on that occasion bringing the crowd to its feet in an outburst of cheering that could be heard for miles. There was a time when a sa,ft jumper could be depended on to win the best of our chases but not so in the present period of cross-country sport. The chaser of the present day has to have as much speed as a flat horse and be able to jump as well. It was because of this fact that A. C. Bost-wick imported Melra. El Kantara, Not Much and Dan IV., all recruited from France could win on the flat here, while Autumn Bells was a clinking good performer at any distance for Mr. Smith before Max Hirsch conceived the idea of making a jumper out of the son of Ballot. With such a card for the closing day of the meeting President "Wilson and his associates may rest content on sending their patrons away with that satisfied feeling that will make them eager for the coming- of another season of sport here in the midst of the pines.
