The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-26
IRISH LAD IS THE
 PRIME FAvOR|TE Fast Track for Big Brooklyn ,.a Handicap SPEEDY HORSES ENTERED Class of Horses Is Very High and Authorities Cannot Reach Con-
 clusion as to Prob
 able Result.

New York, May 25.-With perfect weather in prospect and at least dozen high-class thoroughbreds sure to start the great Brooklyn handicap tomorrow al Gravesend promises to be one of the greatest running races ever seen on the American turf The distance is one mile and a quarter, and the purse is valued at $2O,0O0. Seldom, if ever, has this event called out horses of class so high and the official handicapper has fig ured so closely on weights, that racing authorities are unable to reach satis- factory conclusion as to the result.
 Irish Lad from the stable of Herman B. Duryea, winner of last years Brook lyn; Hermis, owned by E. R. Thomas; McChesney, in the colors of E. D.. Smathers; The Picket from the WaldeclS stables and Africander, bearing the Hampton stables colors, make up the most talked of group In the list
 McChesney has been somewhat back ward in his work, He was left at the post in his only race this season. and later slightly injured his right forefoot. The damaged hoof quickly responded to treatment, and MT Smathers was so well satisfied with his workout today that the great 5-year-old will undoubtedly face the starter tomorrow.
 Irish Lad Is Favorite.
 Irish Lad with his advantage in the weights, is favorite, but his work since he won the Metropolitan handicap al Morris Park has not been entirely satis- factory. However, Irish Lad has shown his best qualities in actual contests and Trainer Rogers has every confidence in him.
 fha pn tl1ar f,ni1n ir, ;391s, made at Morris Park last Sat urday, Hermis. formerly thought to be a late horse, MT. Thomas entry, has risen wonderfully in public estimationn and he. with. Irish Lad, McChesney and The Picket, should furnish one of the grand est exhibitions of speed ever seen in this country. Those who favor Hermis say that with a good start, the horse should be9ter Irish Lads time of 2:04 1-5 made in last years handicap. African ders recent trial at Morris Park did not disclose phenomenal form, as he fin- ished rather weakly In front of an in- ferior field.
 Hurstbourne, from the stable of Will liam B. Leeds, is well liked, but has scarcely shown form equal to that of ms competitors. The hope of the western horsemen is The Picket. winner of last years American derby. He has been specially pointed out for the Brooklyn handicap. His speed trials have been little short of sensational He Is pro. nounced by Trainer Reed in as perfect condition as a horse can be. l Claude, the winner of many westerr derbies, and second to The Picket Al Washington Park last June, will als, 1 start but he Is particularly strong on I muddy track, and the Gravesend cours, is likely to be very tast tomorrow. l John A. Drake will not start his futur ity winner Savable, but Runnells vii go. He like Claude, is at home in thu mud as also is Afrcander. City Bank, owned by John E. Madden is speedy but High Ball last season. two year-old champion. and most of tn others on the entry list do not appear t be dangerous.
 The entries. jockeys and probable odd are as follows:
 McChesney. 129 (-), to 1.
 Hermis. 127 (Redfern), to 1.
 Africander. 126 tOdom). to 1.
 Irish Lad. 125 (Shaw) to 2 The Picket. 119 Helgerson), to 1. Hurstbourne. 117 O. Martini. F to 1. Runnells, 116 (O'NeilD, 10 to 1. Proper. 11O Gyne), 50 to 1. | Eugenia Burch, no (-), 15 to l. | High Ball, 105 truller). 50 to 1. | Claude, 105 (Creamer), 9 to 1. l Lord Badge. 92 (J. Jones). 25 to 1. 1 Mizzen, IA (Bulman), 20 to 1. 1 City Bank. 100 QIildebrand), 20 to 1.