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Here and There on the Turf American Flags Defeat Far From Condition Plans for Bubbling Over Windsor Stakes Close American Flag has begun his 1926 campaign with a sound beating but it will not do to imagine for an instant that it was the real American Flag that raced at Belmont Park on Tuesday It was not the same magnificent son of Man o War that swept all before him last year In other words it was palpable that the handsome chestnut was far from being right up to a race He looked well before the out of the promi ¬ race but when he dropped nent contention so early in its running it be ¬ came evident that a serious mistake was made in sending him to the post postFor For his first race of the year rather a severe task was set him when he was asked to match his speed against the fleetest sprinters now in training over a threequarters distance and under a weight of 130 pounds That of course would not have been an unusual task with American Flag if right at the top of the form that made him a champion last year but for his first race of the year it must be ad ¬ mitted that a truly tough spot was chosen for him to show his wares waresIt It is natural to expect that his overnight sprint handicap will do American Flag con ¬ siderable good in fitting him for his engage ¬ ment in the Metropolitan Handicap but it is a bit unusual that a horse of his reputation should have been started so utterly unfit to give a good account of himself The reputa ¬ tion of the colt should count for something and no matter what he may accomplish later in the year there will always be the memory that in his first race of 192G he finished last in a field of sprinters at threequarters threequartersIt It makes no difference that the 1925 cham ¬ pion was eased up in the stretch It makes no difference that he could have finished closer up Albert Johnson did not ease his mount until every chance for any part of the purse was gone goneAnd And there is another angle io the race run by American Hag Such a horse is considered public property He raced his way into that proud place last year and the public has every reason to expect that he will be ready when asked to race There were those after the running of the race who undertook to show that American Flag was a lucky champion last year and that his title was more or less an empty one That is hardly borne out unless Silver Fox has im ¬ proved marvelously for all have to agree that American Flag was master of the imported colt Yet it was Silver Fox that galloped off with the handicap in which American Flag finished last lastMr Mr Riddles colt was giving Silver Fox eight pounds but that was an eminently fair handicap on the performances of last year American Flag is a solid and good colt and was a worthy champion last year This year Silver Fox was brought back to the races after a careful and skillful preparation and was not started until he was ready to race when he was the winner of the Paumonok Handicap on the opening day of the Jamaica meeting meetingAmerican American Flag when he is tightened up to real realracing racing condition will beyond all question regain all of his prestige but it is unfortunate indeed that the mistake was made in sending him to the post at Belmont Park on Tuesday Edward R Bradley has English plans for Bubbling Over his Kentucky Derby winner Just now the Kentucky turfman is contemplat ¬ ing sending the swiftrunning son of North Star HI and B3aming Beauty to England in the fall in order that he may be ready for the racing of 1927 1927Of Of course a fouryearold in any country is denied manjr of the best opportunities by rea ¬ son of his age and he to a great extent has to confine his racing to the handicaps but Mr j Bradley with a becoming faith in his great colt would return the compliment of Ben Irish who sent Papyrus over and Pierre Wertheim er who send Epinard to us and send a worthy American thoroughbred abroad to represent our turf Should Bubbling Over maintain his magnificent form through this year it is al ¬ most assured that Dick Thompson will be detailed to take him abroad in the fall and winter him in England to have him ready for a foreign campaign in 1927 It is also assured that an effort will be made to take Albert Johnson over to do the riding and it is also suggested that little G Johnson may also go along alongThere There are several English races in which Bubbling Over may still be entered in which he will have an opportunity to race for the glory of the American thoroughbred and just now there is no more eligible colt to defend the reputation of our horses in any country countryMr Mr Bradley has always greatly appreciated the fine sporting spirit of Ben Irish in send ¬ ing over his Derby winner Papyrus and of Pierre Wertheinier in sending Epinard from France Both of these magnificent invaders were beaten and he is desirous of returning their compliment by sending his great colt abroad abroadIt It is assured that both Mr Bradley and Bubbling Over would be accorded a hearty wel ¬ come both in England and France and un ¬ doubtedly he would find plenty of occupation for his great colt It would be a wonderful invasion and just one more thing io bViijg England France and America into closer sporting relationship An interesting list of Canadian stakes were closed Wednesday in the offerings of the Windsor Jockey Club for its meeting which continues from June 29 to July 6 6In In this list the most important fixture is the Frontier Handicap at a mile and an eighth to which 10000 is added This is a race that annually attracts several of the best of the thoroughbreds on this continent and it is a race that has frequently been won by a horse from the United States General Thatcher George Wingfields sterling campaigner was its winner in both 1924 and 1925 and in the roster of winners are also found the names of Old Rosebud Claude Meridian Best Pal and others of high class classWhile While the nominations to the 1926 renewal will not be known for a few days it is safe to promise that the renewal will be a notable Not much has been said of Lincoln Fields Chicagos newest race course but it would be possible to say much of the manner in which the work is progressing From the time the property was purchased by Colonel Matt Winn and his associates work has progressed Dur ¬ ing the long and unusually severe winter plans were perfected All that could be accomplished was accomplished and with the coming of spring there have been marvels worked by the big shifts of workmen that have been kept continuously employed employedAt At this time the whole vast track is being converted into one of the greatest race courses ever constructed and while there have been no boasts of when it will all be completed one has only to make the journey to the growing course to realize that it will be ready when wanted wantedLincoln Lincoln Fields will be a racing ground of which Chicago may well feel proud and it is destined to bring racing back to Chicago with a magnificence seldom before enjoyed Chicago has shown that i wants Its racing and jacing such as is contemplated there will be of lasting benefit to the American turf
