Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-19
HERMIS IS KING AGAIN.
Favorite Of Last Year Has Regained
His Splendid Form.

In the Merchants and Citizens handicap
at Saratoga yesterday Hermis, owned by
E. r. Thomas, gave sound beating to
Irish Lad the Whitney & Duryea colt.
who finished ahead Of the former in the
Champion Saturday last. The track was
fast and the fields large, furnishing good
quality Of sport. Hermis today turned the
tables on Irish Lad, and wiped out his de-
feat in the Champion on Saturday by de-
feating the latter easily by three lengths
in the Merchants and Citizens handicap
at a mile and an eighth, and coming within
one-fifth of a second of eQualng the track
record-1.51 2-5.
There were four starters. the other two
being August Belmonts Masterman and
James r. Keene's Rigodon. Irish Lad was
favorite at even money, Hermis being
quoted at 8 to ). Masterman jumped away
as the barrier went up, and Irish Lad
promptly at his heels. Just beyond the
both Irish Lad followed his pace, but
could not head him. Rigodon passed Mas
terman in the stretch. but finished six
lengths behind Irish Lad
Hermis never before exhibited so much
life and vim in his preliminary. So fast
was he going in his warm up that willie
Shields found 1t necessary to signal TO the
exercise boy to restrain the horse. This
Is why so many of the cold blooded handi-
cappers backed Hermis, because at their
previous meeting both horses were almost
on even terms at the end of nine furlonss
and yesterday the younger horse was con-
coded six pounds to Hermis The last
named would have gone to the post favor
lite but for the fact that the money of John
]. Ryan and an extraordinary heavy club
house commission in behalf of Irish Lad
kept his odds down.
Yesterdays race was worth $6375 to the
winner. The best judges fully expected to
see a new track record hung up by the
victor, no matter which of the two would
L,,t @6A do 0r1n Of
second slower than the track record which
is held by both Advance Guard and Her.
mis-, in races run at Saratoga last year.
Odom received $1,000 for his ride on Her
mis-.
Next in point of Importance was the
easy victory of Abdell in the fifth race
By winning yesterday he loses maiden al
lowance in the Futurity. but receives a
be lit pounds. While some may doubt the
superlative merit of the race, when
Abdell ran the six furlongs in 1-12 As. and
in which his frictionless action was never
before seen to such advantage, there is
no doubt that the colt enjoys the COM
plete confidence of his owner and Other
excellent judges for the great two-year-
old prize. William C. Whitney's stout colt
Mercury, wearing blinkers and under vigor-
Gus riding for nearly the full Journey, came
on after Adbell in the stretch and easily
disposed of Yellow Hammer for the place.
Mercury will be all the better for another
race or two, the horsemen think. Jocund,
turned the wrong way when the barrier
was released. was overlooked by the start
er. he admits.
Mr.. Whitney had better luck with his
fine looking filly Mineola in the maiden
fi1ly race. She was the favorite in the
early betting, bat went back, as Palette
carried heavy commissions. The best look
ing FLY in the race. according to paddock
experts. was Good Cheer. by Fonso, who
had run we'll at Detroit. Yesterday she was
fortunate in getting away from the barrier
well in her stride, and showed the way
into the stretch, where Palette passed her.
as did Mineola and For Luck. The last
named came out wide, as usual with all
of Hicks mounts. Palette won, but the
critics think For Luck should have been
first. The last named filly, it was reported.
was sold to Fred Burlew after the race.
The fast flly Flying Ship won the seven
furlong handicap with Claude. who was,
showed improvement over his last race. in
which, however. he lost stirrup, in addi-
ton to which the going was heavy.
Star and Garter was claimed by the own
er Of Albany Girl after the second race
South Trimble, who was so badly INJURED
during the race for the Saratoga handi-
cap on the first day. is recovering, and will
be seen in public some time this fall.
Backers Of Easy Street in the last race
gave up all hopes when they saw him cut
off badly on the turn for the back stretch,
but ]. Martin never ceased to persevere,
and eventually landed him a winner.
w. H. Briggs charged the trainer of Miss
Dorothy and Stamping Ground with hay
ing administered at various times this year
drugs to accelerate the speed of the two
fllies. The charge was heard yesterday, and
the trainer was eXonerated. Briggs may
be ruled off.
Alexander worked a mile and hilf yester-
day in preparation for the Saratoga cup.
He did the distance in 235k. Some of the
observers thought the colt tired trifie
| at the finish. He was carried along for the
| last seven furlongs by Rostand. who had
much less weight up, but who finished
| stronger than did Africander, which was
| considered only natural Eighty-two hooks
| drew In last night for the last eight days OF
| the meeting.