The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-06
GOSSIP OF THE RUNNERS.
NOMTNA FOR RICH SPRING
STAKES At MANCHESTER DUE

oA6hhN ~ CftpE TIT u
Metropolitan Handicap and Grand National
Steeplechase the Features-Entries for
Wnshin gton Also Close To-Morrow-.
Horscmen study tho barometer and Form
With the weights for the Brooklyn and Sub
urban handicans now out some days and tn .
FIRST fixture on the Jockey Clubs spring
schedule less than two months OF. the time IL
fast approaching when ~thoroughbreds des-
tined to try for tho early plums will have TO
be sent alone in earnest. Until the snow clears
of and the temperature modorates somewhat,
however. local trainers will have to be content
with the winter programme OF judicious diet
ing and shed work.
Candidates located in the South and West
are farinR much better than their metropoli-
tan rivals, and as recently as Saturday. in San
Francisco. the noted four-year-old nlly Brlar
Sweet showed that she Is gettinGtripe for her
big engagements at Gravesend and Sleeps
head Bay by winning the Pacific Union Stakes
Of one mile and an eighth In 1:52h. She car
ried only "a pounds. but from the easy fashion
In which she is said to have won IL is doubt-
fui whether stake weight would have made
much difference TO her.
In the absence OF Gallops and trials horse
men are finding . prolific topic in the handi-
caps. Tho races are regarded as extremely
open, with the chances much moro In favor OF
J1e CHTee-yobT-Olu DIVISION Lnan heretofore.
The Juvenile candidates are undoubtedly
strong in numbers. IL not In qualitySland. al
though a three-year-old has not yet scored in
either event. the admirers OF young blood who
played Henry Of Navarro IN 1891 and Sly Fox
last year cling to their doctrine that a good
one OF that age can do the trick. ArRuingon
this basis. there are many who fancy Sydney
Paget's Jean Bereaud. although he oarriestop
weight for his age. 100 pounds In the Brook
lyn and 107 pounds in tho Suburban. The
Handicapped rates Autumn. Kingdom. King
Barleycorn and Ahom as next hest In this
class.
Attention has been drawn to the Suburban
tuckian by a rumor that Sydney PaRet was
he shows up well in the two big Western Der
Dys for which he is being prepared by his
t GR1sseFF of G%aeps is let som IN fiII sRt, esp e[ I9f% IN fhi tbe
Suburban. He is the chestnut colt by imp.
Conveth-Formosa. that made such a fayor-
He-scored a number OF winning brackets and
always ran as II 9 longer route would suit
tendency toward reticence. and pending def
mite work form students are resting on their
oars In the hope that some one may start a
winter book which might furnish a timely,
clue to the estimation in which the candi iates
are. held by layers and hackers.
Nominations close tomorrow with Clerk of
the Course II. q. Crickmore. l43 Fifth avenue,
i Raci fme A sDF,as %se ann the 81 W ths imestnn goaSr
ey Club. The stake conditions for the former
meeting have already been published in detail
and horse men have received ample time to
make up.thelr minds. The money offered is
IN excess of SIT. 900. and there are indications
Of a liberal entry in the many attractive races
To, besrun between May q and %. The rrinci-
pal features are the Metropolitan Handicap,
with 50. 0OO added, for three-year-olds and
upward. over the Withers mile. and the Grand
National Steeplechase, with $1,000 added.
The latter event is the most important'set for
decision between the flags, and Track Super
intendent German says the course will be Sor-
thy Of the occasion. The fences are being re-
modelled and made as.safe and true to nature
as possible. and will be fully up to the accept
ed standard as obstacles. The distance OF
this race is two miles and n half.
The other stakes announced for the Vest
chester meeting are the Gaity, Bouquet and
Laureate. for two-year-olds: the Larchmont.
Baychester. Van Nest and pOcantico. for three
year-olds. and the Harlem. Toboggan, New
Rochelle, Cretona. Claremont and Van Cort-
landt. for three-year-olds and upward. The
last three are grouped as til" lightweight SER
ial handicaps, and the programme of fixed
events also includes the Amateur Gun. a high
weight race for gentlemen riders.
The PROSPECTUS for the BenninCs meeting.
which starts of tho Jockey Club schedule on
April.3 and runs to April II. includes the Ar
lington. Congressional and Mount Vernon
stakes, tor two-year-Olds. the last named event
being for fllies: the Potomac and Federal
stakes. for three-year-olds. and the Washing
.ton Handicap, for three-yeur-olds and inward.
There will also be two hurdle races ann two
stesplechases.