New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-06
A GREAT TURF BATTLE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE BELMoNI'

EAGER DISCUSSION AS TO THE MERITS OF hE-
ourrAL HANDSPRING AND HASTINGS
Racing men In all parts Of the country are TAXING
q special and exceptional interest IN .he Deion.
S,akes for three-year-olds, which will be run al
Mi. park early in June. Among the colts which
ro oxnec,ed TO start in the Belmont are Requl'ai'
Handspring and Hastings. Colonel thompson
hought Rcquital at the auction sale OF DAVID "'u-
oon,s horses last autumn, and paid big price Tor
him Requital was not only the winner OF the great
Eu,uritv stakes but also of the Flatbush Stakes al
seven furlongs and proved clearly that ne was
colt of remarkable merit. speed and staying power.
The sons of Colonel Thompson VIII keep up the
racing stable in the most generous ana npe'ai man
ner and Requital will have great hu"'pel Vi
friends and admirers when he goes 10 the post lot
the Belmont.
Hardening is the property Of Philip j. Dwyer. he
ran q number of excellent races last year. pu' was
unfortunate in the Futurity His stable companion
Axiom kicked him at the post. infcuhg sue" III
iuries that Handspring was wholly unaoe 10 e"'e"u
himself in the contest ,
Hastings belongs to August Belmont. the presi-
dent of the Jockey Club Mr.. Belmont purchased
this maenilcent son of Spendthrift at the break
,ne-up sale of the Gideon & Daily stable hastings
fell sick after he became Mr. Belmonts property
and did not recover from the effects OF MS iess '
any time last year. But he Is now IN superb cohu'-
ton and is trained by that wonderfully SUCCESSFUL
able j.
lanes Rowe who brilliantly successIul as d
trainer to the senior August Belmont when Potomac
and La Tosca were dazzling two-year-old Stars
HANDSPRING Is trained by Frank McCabe.
The meeting OF these three colts in the Belmont
will undoubtedly prove be one Of the most stir
ring and noteworthy turf battles OF the season OF
iSS Owing 10 various circumstances ana occur
rences last year the relative merits OF these 'rso
colts were never fully and completely tested Inc
belmont will afford the best possible opportunity
Tor deciding which these three is the chaH-
MON thrce-year-o,d colt OF 1896. ana the struggle
between them is already looked forward 10 win the
liveliest and most eager anticipation -
In New-York State there can De no au' mt d.
ting on the Belmont except in the form OF private
waPers In the clubs. hotels and other resorts OF
the city discussion 10 the qualities, spe,u anu
staying powers Of Requital. Handspring ana HAST
ings is even az the present date OF a hlghly am
mated and earnest sort. In fact turiinen in az
paris of the country impatient 10 learn MhIch
one Of the three is superior To the others mere
has been some betting In Baltimore anu otnei
cries outside OF the Empire STATE dpOn the Metro
no,itan brooklyn and Suburban har cicaps. bet
ting men who not within the limits o, ,,iS
State may find II worth their while 10 open DOORS
on the Belmont. Ii Is certain that az ume sVes
on and the date OF the Belmont approaches, ,ne
ON citement over the question as 10 the IelatiNe
snneriorty Of Reduital. Handspring and Hastings
There is every probability tina, the contest ior the
belmont will he a turf battle that VIII Hnger lone
i'm the memories OF all beho.ders ana WILL tdHe a
conspicuous place in the annals OF the American
The partsans OF the three colts Will have great
deal TO talk about and speculate upon until ai'ei
the race Is actually decided.