view raw text
BELMONT STAKES OF 0,000 i Closing Day Feature of Belmont Park on Saturday, June 13. ♦ Lara-rut Field In History of Famous Race l.iperted to Strive for Itirh Prize — Prospective Favorites. ♦ NEW YORK. N. Y., June 9.— The Belmont Park meeting enters upon its closing period tho coming week and some of the best raring of the entire meeting should be seen. The greatest interest will naturally be associated with h- running of the Belmont Stakes on tho closing day— Saturday. June 13. This Is one of the best of he three-year-olds stake fixtures of the spring — a real test of a mile; and a half, the same distance as the Kpsom : IVrhy. With its value of 0,000 or more. ! It makes an attractive prize and compels the attention of rport lovers everywhere. The oldest race for three-year-olds in this country with the excepion of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Springs, which antedates it by three year;-, having its inaugural in 1S64. the Belmont Stakes has been one of the most solid features offered annually in the United States. The Belmont Stakes came into being at a time when the turf needed encouragement. Tho breeding industry during the Civil War was ;it a very low ebb. and the lielmont and other stakes fathered by the American | Jo key Club, helped save the day for the southern thoroughbred. Owners and breed- j ers of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and ; other stat. s below the Mason and Distal line were welcomed to Jerome Park. The stakes I offered by the directorate of the American Jockey Club, which included D. D. Withers. August Belmont, ] onard and Lawrence Jerome, W. R Travers, Judge Alonzo B. Murson and other public-spirited sportsmen, sus ainod the value of their bloodstock by stabilizing their earning power. The good feeling engendered at that period had much to do with uniting the sportsmen of the North and the South. EXPECT EXCELLENT FIELD. The field for this years Belmont Stakes promises to be one of the largest that has ever gone to the post for that fine old race, whose winners in the past include such good horses as Kingfisher. Harry Bassett. Duke of Magenta, Spendthrift, George Kinney, Hanover, Henry of Navarre, Hastings, Commando, Africander, Peter Pan, Colin. Friar Rock, Hourless. Johren. Sir Barton. Man o War, Grey I,ag. Zev and Mad Play. From present indications the list will include American "li, Kentucky Cardinal, Coventry, Swopo, Single Foot. Almadel. By His-se!f. Quatra.n. Captain Hal, Sunsard. King NadI, Backbone, Reminder, Overall. Candy Kid. Felix, Hamadan, Senalado and Prince of Bourbon. Should the West send King Nadi, Kentucky Cardinal, Captain Hal and Almadel, they would present a strong front, and our Eist-ern three-year-olds would have to be at the top of their form in order to hold their own. The first named Is one of the best mud horses in this country. A heavy course would make his chances of victory rosy. Captain Hal is a fast and game colt. So is Kentucky Cardinal, while Almadel, a long I strider and slow beginner, should find the | j big turns at Belmont Park greatly to his i fancy. Mr. Headley owes it to himself, as I the breeder of Almadel, to give the son of Ultimus a chance to perform over a track that is made to order for him. AMERICAN FLAG Of FAVOR. If a vote should be taken tomorrow in the East on the probable outcome of the Belmont, American Flag would head the polls. This colt has inherited much of the glamor that surrounded his sire whom he resembles somewhat, having the same rich chestnut coat color and a like determination In the final stages of a race. By Hisself. another son of Man o" War, ran a smashing race from a slow beginning in the Withers Stakes, won by American Flag. He was running on in a way that would justify the belief that he could stay when the wire • was reached. One of the best provisions of the Belmont Stakes, is that providing bonuses of ,000. ,000, and 00 respectively, for the nominators of the three placed horses. This condition carries its own reward to the breeders of the country- The late Majof Belmont offered a plate of a value of 00 for the race. That trophy should be highly prized, for the late chairman of the jockey club was wholehearted in the promotion of the classic, which was named in honor of his father. The Belmont will not be the only attraction for the closing day. The Keene Memorial, for two-year-olds, should bring out the best of the juvenile crop of fliers. As the field includes Chance Play, Rock Man. Kuolid, Celidon, Galetain, Punjab, Pompey and the flying filly Friars Carse. there will be a good chance to determine whether the gentler sex among oar young thoroughbreds is to rule as champion, many of the best judges having picked Mr. Riddles filly as the best two-year-old of the year. i .
