New-York tribune., 1901-05-04
THE RACETRACK.
THE METROPOLITAN HANDICAP THE
MAGNET AT THE OPENING OF
MORRIS PARK

Morris Park win be the destination Of all true
lovers OF the thoroughbred to-day. when race
goers will hock thither for the first day Of the
westchester Racing Associations spring meeting
The Metropolitan Handicap Is the magnet, the first
Of the many classic fixtures Of the season. 1t will
be run the fourth race and thousands will
cheer the winner as he passes the wire There will
be many shattered hopes and lost dollars behind
him. but all will he temporarily forgotten in giving
homage 10 the victor-a homage which will be
only too well deserved for the stars Of the thor
oughhred world will race for the rich prize and the
glory.
The bright. brisk weather which last night
seemed likely 10 prevail will be an attraction In
itself. and record breaking crowd may be antici-
pated The big grandstand should be filled over
flowing, and the clubhouse lawn and piazza will be
the gathering place for many fashionable folk
The surroundings never looked more attractive
the grass never green II is the more notice
able in contrast 10 the little incosure Aqueduct
and for many to-day marks the opening of the
racing season in the East.
Who VIII win the Metropolitan? That is the all
important question which racegoers have been ask
ing for the last three weeks A high class field Of
sixteen Is enumerated probable starters and al
most every one appears to have a chance 10 win
and each one is as fit hands and pains can
make them. The individual faults viii be shown
IN the running Of the race. Before 1t. however,
each candidate stands 10 his particular ad-
mirer as the probable hero of the day.
VIII the mighty Banastar earn fresh laurels?
VIII the speedy Voter last the distance? Is one of
the three-year-olds good enough 10 annex the coy
eted stake? These a few OF the questions
which viii be asked and answered at Morris Park
to-day Voter. which won the Metropolitan as a
three-year-old and was the favorite for the event
last year, is al top weight. and with his stable
companion, Unmasked. has many friends. He has
been carefully prepared for the race by his astute
trainer, and viii surely be prominent at some part
OF the journey.
Banastar. the hero Of the Brooklyn Handicap in
1889. IS thought by many TO have a chance second
10 none He started only once last year. at Yon-
kers, and won easily. Ills best workout for the
race is said to have been mile over a slow track
sn l;sss all out. II this be true he VIII hardly be
lighting Il out al the end. Next the list comes
the fast Heobas and the good horse Ogden the
latter making his first appearance since his retire
ment TO the STUD two years ago. He is said 10 be
better than ever and has worked for the race fast
enough 10 be sharp contender. William c. Whit
ney will be represented by Star Bright which with
Tommy" Burns 10 pilot him. will have MANY fol-
lowers. His last trial for the race a mile in
1;ss, very handily. He is free running horse and
is said 10 have worked much faster at Mr. Whit
neys private track Wesibury Sidney Lucas
last years American Derby winner: Knight Of
hhooes brigadier. which ran second in the Futurity
OF lSss; King Bramble. All Green and Heliohas
have had their trials in actual races this wear Tho
same can be sad Of The Rhymer and All Gold
Brigadier. All Green and Sidney Lucas ran mar.
ucElarly good races and, being seasoned must be
accounted sharp cOntenders.
This race has been won by q three-year-old ,hr..
times in the last four years. The weights seen, n
favor a good three-year-old over a mile but for
al that only three will essay the task to-day un-
less one or more are added. These are All Green
The Rhyrner and Bellsrio. The first two have ner.
formed well AT Aqueduct and Bellario one OF las,
years best two-year-olds. has worked partlcrsrIv
well for the in private His best is said "a IA
mile in l:sS'z over slow track and OF the thres
he may figure most prominently Still the chances
seem against the youngsters this year as the
older division a formidable lot -
The Metropolitan f5endcap is not the only attrac.
ton to-day. The Juvenile Stakes for tvyn-vesr.
olds. may show one Of the cracks OF the year and
the lovers or cross country sport will rejoice IN fht
New-York steepiechsse. for which small bui
select field Is named.
Much Interest attaches also 10 fhe first race NJ
the afternoon. sprinr over the first five and hal
furlongs OF the Wifhers mile, which viii show scl
good ones as Watercolor. lsador. King Pepper
Magnetic and Isia. In this race, too Frankfort :
full brother Of Hamburg, VIII make his first ap
pearance. despite the fact that he Is three-year
old. When this horse was a fEo-year-old hi
OgRer. Marcus Dali. was suffering from the lines.