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jg3" — i KENTUCKY DERBY PROSPECTfT I Rancocas Stables Main Hope—Swcepster . . ■ — — — ■ $ The Rancocas Stable of Harry Sinclair, which is trained by that master of his profession. Samuel C. Hildreth, often styled the "wizard trainer," has three eligibles for the Kentucky Derby in Sweepster, Sankari and Cheops. Sweepster was the best of the Rancocas two-year-olds of last year, winning nine out of thirteen races without being unplaced. Sankari won seven of twelve starts and Cheops four out of ten starts. It is presumed that if the Rancocas Stable is represented in the Derby, Sweepster will be the one to carry the popular white and green silks. Sweepster made his debut at Jamaica on May 13, starting with seven other maiden two-year-olds and, although beaten by W. J. Salmons colt. Black Panther, he displayed some of the speed which was later to earn for him six straight victories in overnight purse races. That Sweepster was not quite ready in that first race was demonstrated in his second start, which he won easily by five lengths. His first races were only a prelude to his first stake engagement, the Juvenile Stakes, decided May 26, at Belmont Park. The son of Sweep, coupled with his stablemate Cheops, was backed into favoritism in the big field and gave a good account of himself, finishing second to Draconis, Gifford A. Cochrans colt, which was top weight at 122 pounds, and conceding Sweepster seven pounds. Sweepster made a strong bid for winning honors, racing up to the leaders just before the stretch was reached, but he tired in the final drive and Draconis outstayed him by a length. Among the unplaced horses in this race were Chance Shot, Charade, Saxon, Whiskery and Afterglow. SWEEPSTER. After his performance in the Juvenile Stakes, Sweepster scored an easy victory over three others at Empire City and followed it up by finishing second to Crystal Domino in the Flushing Bay Purse at Aqueduct. In this race, Sweepster was beaten through interference, being forced wide at the stretch turn and carried almost to the outside rail. Despite the loss of ground, he set sail after Crystal Domino and, had the distance of the race been twenty-five feet longer, he would have beaten the Archibald colt. Then followed six straight victories in overnight purse races. Over five-eighths of a mile at Aqueduct, and carrying 115 pounds, he won from Black Agate, Sans Terre and Miniator at odds-on. In his next start he took the measure of King David, Tannic and two others with 122 pounds in the saddle over the three-quarters mile distance. He was a prohibitive favorite for this race, being held at 1 to 8 in the wagering. At Jamaica he easily outran Candy Pig, Bonnie Khayyam and others over five and a half furlongs. His one and only stake victory, the Remsen Handicap, was scored at Jamaica on October 9. He followed this up with two more victories in overnight purse races, completing his string of six consecutive triumphs. Sweepsters most important engagement as a two-year-old was in the Walden Stakes, at one mile, run at Pimlico. Fourteen contested for the 0,000 prize and Sweepster finished third, Rip Rap and Black Panther leading him home. Sweepster showed fine speed in setting the pace, but tired badly near the end and readily gave way to the challenges of the pair mentioned above, which, after passing him. fought it out to finish in the order named. Whatever doubts as to Sweepsters ability to stay that may have existed after his failure in the Walden Stakes were completely dispelled in his next and final appearance of the year. In an overnight race at Pimlico, over the mile and seventy yards distance, he carried 120 pounds, led all the way and won impressively, the fractional times being much faster than recorded at the corresponding distances in the Walden. Among the beaten horses on this occasion was Whiskery, one of the Whitney stars. It was indeed a befitting finale to his very creditable record as a two-year-old, which included nine victories, three second and one third, without being unplaced. Reports from the Rancocas Farm in New Jersey, where he wintered, say that Sweepster looks like a champion. He is well behaved and shows plenty of intelligence. These advantages are combined with plenty of muscle and good legs and feet. He never will be a great big horse, but he is quite as large as several others that have won the Kentucky Derby.
