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I I p tl fc is o and l t! tl a a d v and t ri t | fc 1, C a s o t t t i c I i a r I t i 1 c i J i t i ! • , ] 1 . 1 1 ] ■ , 1 | ■ t ■ t : i . i • , i t • , ! | , i PREAKNESS OPEN AFFAIR « Reigh Count, Brooms and Strolling Player Taken Seriously. » Petee-Wrack Expected to Figure !n Three- Year-Old Division This Yfar— Stephanos Uncertain. BALTIMORE. Mil., April 9.— The longer the list of entries to the Preakness Stakes studied the more open does the famous offering of the Maryland Jockey Club appear. As the time set for the race, Friday, May 11, draws near, reports from the various training grounds is to the effect that the thoroughbreds are far advanced in their preparation and all are doing whatever has been asked of them. On two-year-old form such successful candidates as Mrs. John D. Hertz" Reigh Count, winner of the Walden Stakes ; Brookemeade Stables Brooms, Hopeful Stakes winner; Walter M. Jeffords Man o War filly Bateau, third in the Pimlico Futurity ; H. P. Whitneys Victorian, full brother to Whiskery, third to his stable companion Bostonian in last years Preakness ; Salubria Stables Strolling Player, which ran so well in England, and a half brother to the Derby winner Call Boy; Sortie, Taras Hall, Happy Time and many others look good on paper by reason of past performances. But it is an undeniable fact that two-year-old prodigies are not always followed by three-year-old prestige and there is more than one good prospect among the less distinguished. For example, the get of Wrack invariably improves with age. and his most notable contribution to the PreaKness Stakes is John R. Macombers Petee-Wrack, a big, upstanding fellow, that is bound to come on unless all signs fail. This colt was unfortunate in his early racing career and is still a maiden, but if he does not graduate quickly this spring then all signs fail, and in the Preakness Stakes he is a distinct possibility. His trainer, W. Booth, is known to regard him highly, and in his preparation he is doing all that is asked of him. Another disappointment last year was W. J. Salmons Stephanus, which in private form was such as to make his owner predict great things for his sire, Stefan the Great. It is possible that T. J. Healey may get some good races out of this well-bred chestnut colt, and the pink, blue sash, white sleeves. pink cap. has two other eligibles in Charlemagne, by Gay Crusader — Mere Play, by Fair Play, breeding good enough to win in any company. The Preakness Stakes is attracting more than ordinary interest this year and the race is of such an open character that one of the largest fields in the history of the stake will probably go to the post. Much favorable comment has boen made on the action of the Maryland Jockey Club in giving a special steeplechase for hunters, gentlemen riders, in honor of Billy Barton, the most brilliant jumper seen in a long time, and the pride of Marylands hunting set. The steeplechase is set for Wednesday, May 9, the same day as the Jennings Handi- cap. and in addition to a substantial purse, a handsome gold trophy suitably inscribed, will go to the winner. While at this writing the exact conditions of the Billy Barton Steeplechase have not been agreed upon, full particulars will be supplied later. * ——
