The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-26
SPORTING NEWS.
The Big Stallion Contest Next
Exciting Race.
viii Be Held on Resdville
Tracks Thursday.
A STAKE OF $4,000 UP
Cresceus a Prohibitive FavOrite
In Field of Seven.
Second Place in Doubt With
Grattan Boy FaYOrite.

New York, Sept. 26.-There was a
slight lull last week in the succession OF
record breaking events which have been
making the season of 1900 the most bril-
liant that the harness turf has ever
known. It was an 'open week in the
grand circuit, filled in with extra meet
ings at Columbus. o., and Fort Wayne,
Ind, prefacing the last meeting of the
circuit at Terre Haute, Ind, this week.
and the New England breeders meet
ing at Readville (Bostonl, Mass The
feature of the latter Is that much-talk-
ed-of race of recent years, the $4,000
free-for-an race for trotting stations,
which will come up for decision on
Thursday.
Original nominations for this race
were made last spring, but the right of
substitution was a governing clause,
and the finally selected candidates were
not named until September 49,
The list of starters, as furnished by
Secretary Jewett Saturday, comprise
seven, arranged according to record as
follows:
Cresceus. 2:o4A; Jupe. 2:o71a: Arion,
2:07As Grattan Boy, 2:08: Lord Vincent,
2:0SA: Charley Herr. 2:o9, and Benton
This is a smaller field than was orig
inally expected. Neither Philatus, 2:09A !;
Lecco. 2:09%, nor William Penn, 2:071z,
of the original entries. are in shape to
start Dare Devil, 2:09, has gone lame.
and Clayton, 2:0SA, is evidently not be-
1ieved to have any chance by his people
or an entry would have been secured for
him by James Butler of New York, his
millionaire owner. But granting the at
traction that these horses would have
been, without them it is the greatest
field of trotting stations ever named to
start in the same race in the entire his
tory of the trotting turf.
AS a race the presence of Cresceus
destroys considerable interest in the
outcome, at least from one point of view
If the new king of the turf is Eat him.
SELF" if his form is what 1t has been for
the last six weeks, there can be no doubt
that it is "all over but the shouting"
As Cresceus has been laying up at the
Charter Oak track, Hartford, Conn,
since he broke the record there three
weeks ago, receiving a special prepara-
ton for the contest, the chances are that
he will go to the post trained to the hour
and invincible. 1t is said to be the in
tention if he wins the first two heats
without being forced to trot very near
his limit to send him to break the race
record of 2:051z, held jointly by Alix and
Directum, and it is believed by many
that if the task is set him he will ac-
compliSh it. 1t is quite probable that he
will be barred in the betting.
The outlook for the struggle for sec
ond place is. however, promising. AS it
will bring an award of 5000 it will be
we'll worth winning, and while Cresceus
ruay win easily there will be hot Scrim-
mage behind him The talent in all
Likelihood Will make Grattan Boy the
favorite in the place betting. This game
and enduring ex-Chicago stallion trotted
second to Cresceus at Columbus, o., in
each of his three heats in 2:071z, 2:O6,
1905 and was separately timed in 2:06N
in one of them. At New York he was
second each heat to Lord Derby in 2:07,
2:07, 2:08. He thus enjoys the unique
distinction of having forced out the win
ner of the fastest race ever trotted by a
stallion and the fastest ever trotted by
a gelding. On form he should certainly
come second again on this occasion.
Many critics have a weather eye out
for Lord Vincent. The crack stake win
ner of last year has not so far won even
a heat this season. But he has been
specially pointed by John Splan, who is
training him for the big lace, and it is
known that he is now better than ever
before in his life. He recently worked
out in 2:08, the last quarter at a 2:04
gait, and as he is a wonderful racehorse
he will make a bold bid.