The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-08-24
TODAY'S BIG II ACE.
The Contest for the Futurity-The Horses
Entered-A Purse Of $4,000 to be Run
fOr-Good Sport Anticipated.

New York, August 23.-The prospects
for a fine day in the futurity We're ex-
ceedingly poor tonight and all of the
horsemen who had what they thought
were mud horses were hoping the
strong northeast wind and heavy
clouds would bring rain and plenty of
it for the Rich stake for 2-year-olds, in
which about $4,000 would go to the
winner. On the other hand, the real
lovers of the sport longed for a fine
day and no flukes, so that the best
horse might win, although it was con-
ceded that Hamburg could easily beat
any of the lot down in the greatest
2-year-old stake of the year, but un-
fortunately Hamburg will not run. The
list of starters with the weights and
jockeys is as follows: Gibraltar, lis,
Scherrer; The HuguenOt, 11S, w. Mar
tin; LAlouette, 11S, Clawson; Briars-
wet, lis, Taral: Grand Sachem, los,
Ham; AmaZOnian, 113; Uriel, lis,
Sloan; Cock Robin, ,10S, H. Martin; Froh
man, 11S, Perkins; Plaudit, 11S, Beau
CHI; Previous, 116, Simms; Central
Trust, 115, Hewitt; Gala Day. 10S, Nc
Cafferty; Rowland. lis, Wilhite; Ar
quebus, 105, Doggett; Demagogue, 115;
Handsel 10S, Clayton: Rubylips, los, II.
Lewis.
It was the general opinion Of all that
never before in the history of the fu-
turity was it so open race, and furth-
er that if Hamburg were there, the
others might as we'll stay in their sta
bles as far as winning was concerned.
AS to the favorite among the betting
men, it looked very much like Gibral-
to HnW1on6 oCnpni911v the latter
was said to have improved immeasur
ably in the last few weeks. The good
race Of Gibraltar at the Brighton track
last week made him a strong choice,
although it was argued that that was
but a half mile race and it had yet to
be determined whether he could go
route. UriePs great speed in the spring
was undoubted and his trials have been
entirely satisfactory to his trainers,
and then with Sloan up he is sure to be
respected. Cock Robin is good just
now, and his maiden race was such a
good one that he was in great favor
among those who saw him then. The
DAILY Trio, Briarsweet, Grand Sachem
and Amazonian, were reported OF be in
prime condition and with Taral on
Briarsweet she will certainly have
many hackers, particularly as she is
a full sister to DR.. Hasbrouc, one Of
the greatest SpTlIIerS III years. T TO
man is a very doubtful starter, Mr..
Gideon saying his work was not salts
factory enough. One of the horses re-
spected by many is Previous, who
never performs twice alike, but where
he has been in the race with the quail
ity has always performed well. Plaud-
it, another western representative,
comes east with good reputation, and,
in the opinion of the horse trainer, he
has a rare chance to win. AS for CAL
aday, which McCafferty will ride at
overweight, there will be much curios-
ity, and Arquebus, Handsel and Ruby
lips are sure to meet with some sup
port. In fact the layers of odds are
likely to have their hands full even
if only dozen Of the lot go to the post
and that number is certain to appear
while the chances are that nearly all
will go.