The evening times., 1896-03-06
FOR GIANT 3-ItlR-0tDS
Owners and Trainers Int rested
in the Belmont Stakes.
FIRST BATTLE OF The YEAR
Ben Brush, Handspring, Hastings and
Requital VIII BE Among the Candi-
dates for the Purse-All Have Win
tered Well, and Barring Accidents
VIII BE In Fine Fettle.

New York. March 6.-Turfncn are TAX
ing unusual interest in the Belmont Stakes.
which will be run during the spring meet
ing, at Morris Park. II will be the first bat
tie OF the three -year-Olds, and among the
entries are the giants OF last season,
Requital, Ben Brush, Handspring and Hast
ings 1t is known that these four have
wintered excellentIy, and as each has de-
voted partisans argument and enthusiasm
wax apace.
Phiiip J Dwycr is oOnfiticnt that Hand
spring will prove to lie the equal OF his
great sire, Hanover. while James Rowe
is said TO be highly pleased with Requitafs
appearance. and John Hyland smiles blandly
when Hastings name is mentioned.
Trainers and stablcncn have been max
ing private bets for month past, and
have forgotten the Suburban and Brook
lyn Handicaps in their interest in the big
threc-year-old struggle. One reason for
this interest is the extremely unsatisfac-
tory nature OF last years two-year-old
form. Hastings adherents claim that the
black colt, when good, easily defeated
Handspring, and was the fremont OF his
year until he went aniiss.
II looks as though everything was turning
out satisfactorily to the racing interests in
Albany. The amendments to the Percy
Gray bin, proposed by Messrs. Page and
Au stin, are meeting with favor. The
stumbling block WAS the percentage ella use.
The racing associations wanted the tax
paid on the net receipts. The legislators
n disfr Objected
and remained firm for the tax on the gross.
Those mostly concerned have dropped the
tax on the net clause and are satisfied to
pay that providing the remaining amend
ments are acted upon favorably. The latest
reports from Albany are that the amend
ments are now being pushed along like all
other good things.
1t is claimed the appointment of Bob
Swigert as one OF the stewards of the East
ern Jockey Club was intended as diplo-
matte stroke, in order TO bring the turf
congress in closer relations TO the jockey
club. Upon this topic an Eastern turf
writer says: 1T is only a question of
time when the fabric upon which the west
ern turf congress is built will go to
pieces.
II Is certain tistt NitBul IL Ie" years
the Jockey Club. as at present constituted,
viii be the central body of turf control in
this country. Its authority will extend to
all parts of the United States. 1t is only by
such diplomatic moves as that under dis
cussion that progress in this direction can be
della yed. 1t is submitted that a continuance
ofthe policy heretofore pursuedby the Jockey
Club is all that is necessary to bring about n
condition OF affairs that VIII be OF incal-
Cula ble benefit TO the American turf.
Any overtures made TO Interests bat
are at present inimical TO the attainment
of the desired end, cannot fail to be ad-
Judged Il sign of weakness. Leave the
Westerners alone. When they wake up
to an appreciation of The fact that their
true interests lie in an arfniation with the
Jockey club, they will not hesitate TO make
all the overtures necessary. II will not
be incumbent on our authorities to even
meet them halfway. 1t certainly will not
he necessary to offer sops in the shape of
official appointments"
F. II. BrunelI in Chicago News. says: IF
the Boots people send Vinctor over the
mountains for the Brooklyn handicap. and
he lands in the East without mishap. ] am
inclined TO think that the bandicappcrs
need not further bother their heads bout
who will win. The Brutus- Mollie H. colt
is-as the touts have it-"chucked in
Fit and well ridden. he can hardly lose.
His companion, Claudius, has been declared.
Vinctor hasn't. Vnctor Won at San Fran
icsco last Thursday, seven furlOngs, under
Ill pounds, in l:21, in the .OcOse way
good horse has Of winning.
"Vinctor is likely to be sent East. Charley
Boots has soft side for the glory of the
turf. said when the weights came out
that Mr.. vosburg bad weighted Vinctor
Let us see If ] was not
right. according to the deeds OF the colt.
He was here in 1894 as a two year-Old.
He came from California as a winner, hav-
Ing scored in his first race half a mile in
fifty seconds. His last race here at Har-
lem was an impressive one. five and-a half
furlongs In 1908 Ia, with 1O6 pounds
up, before &. B. Morris, Miss Young, Main
stay, Fandango and David.
Since his return to California viDc;or
ond five times. third three times and been
unplaced four times. Outside his early
starts and the few before last Thursday
beaten Vinctor. By good horses l mean
LibertiDe. Star Ruby, and Sister Mary, ard
he has beaten all in turn, except Star Ruby.
Usually when beaten Vinctor had the worst
Of the weights. The blot on his California
record is his defeatby Junius one and one
eighth miles, in 1:5S. on heavy track.
But Junius had up 1O5 and he % pounds,
and the going was in holding mud. Bright
PhOebus was last in the same race.
IF vinctor comes East and goes to the
post fit. he ought to win. That's
ny opinion, because l think that at the
weights he is the best of the fOur-year-olds
and that the winner will come from that
group or Henry OF Navarro, Clifford. Sara
yossa and st. Maxim. Next to vinctor in
he four-year-old group. 1 like The Com
chances and then those of Ben
Brush"
BIG MACHINE SHOPS BURNED.