The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-10

how they have stood the drastic course
of training so far. Some of the lesser
lights. like Connoisseur, Flora Thorn
ton and Paladin, are reported amiss;
but as they only had an outside"
chance at best, they are scarcely worth
considering. 1t is extremely regretable.
however that the great Domino, the
"black whirlwind." has fallen by the
wayside and will not measure strides
with the seemingly unconquerable
Henry of Navarro, with whom he once
ran the fiercest and most heart-break-
ing kind of a dead heat. Saragossa,
also, is said to be none too well; like
wise that clean cut racer Halma. Still
these horses, barring Domino, may be
found able to join in the general scram-
BILE on Handicap day.
1t is particularly gratifying to learn
that Henry of Navarro and Clifford,
the favorites, who are carrying the top
weights Q2S pounds), have come along
in splendid shape shape so far, and
promise to make a flying start to-
gether, sound in wind and limb. Sports
men generally feel deep affection for
these two magnificent thoroughbreds,
and 1t would have been disheartening
If either had come out of winter quar-
tiers amiss.
1t is also cheering to know that those
grand 9-year-olds, Handspring and
Ben Brush, are in fine trim and will be
fit to make the battle of their lives
with Clifford and kir@ly Navorre.
Hornpipe, winner of last years Handi-
cap, DIR. Rice, victor in Handicap of
'94. Lazzarone. Senator Grady, Sir
Walter, King Arthur H., keenan,,
Nanki-Pooh and Counter Tenor are
progressing finely in their training and
will doubtless line up in perfect form
when the flag speeds them on their
journey. Ten or dozen other nags of
mettle will probably face the starter,
but the talent have virtually settled
that none outside of the splendid steeds
/ have named have any show of win
ming. Yet Ii would not surprise me If,
after all, one of the despised dozen
should demonstrate that he is decidedly
''in 1t" before the race Is over. The
trick has been done before (witness I'M
expected feat of Castaway II. a few
years ago), and 1t is possible that his
tory may repeat itself.
The Handicap of '96 should prove a
memorable one in turf history, not only
on account of the splendid horses en-
tered in the event, but by reason of
the special preparation made for it.
The volume of racing has decreased
greatly in the East, and the best ami
mails, North, South, East and West, are
trained almost entirely for the Handi-
cap the Suburban and the Metropoli-
tan Stakes. So If we do not get guam
tity it is a satisfaction at least to know
that we viii have quality; and in the
coming Handicap we shall have the
quintessence of quality.
Before attempting to discuss the
horses and their respective chances
for / wish to give no Bunsby-like opin-
ion-I would like TO state some of the
conditions which give that delightful
uncertainty TO racing which makes
gaming possible and presents any par
ticular horse from having anything
like "a sure thing" l do not. of course.
refer to weights, for age. for past per-
formances and the like. for every
school boy knows all about that; there
are other things just as important
which effect the outcome OF race.
These are the conditions Of the horse.
the skill or his rider and the state of
the track. There are mud" horses
and fast track" hc-ses. Frequently
an animal % conn lively no great