The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-19
GOSSIP OF THE RACElRACK.
GRAVESEND MEETING OPENS
TO-DAY WITH A GOOD CARD.
staIwart and Beidame 10 Meet IN First
special-.Junior Champion Draws
Crack TwO-Year-Olds--Afri
Retuyenation-Pretty Polly's Success.

Rejuyenation-Pretty Poily's success.
Local racing shifts to-day from the fast
Brighton Beach track to 'iravesend. with
avery prospect Of two weeks Of brilliant
eport. The session at the seaside course,
though brief, was productive OF sensational
Incidents, chief of which was the resurrection
of Africander, tie champion three-year-old
Of last season.
The Star Ruby colt won his two races from
the great westerncr. MoChesney. In much
the same style as he was wont to take lriSh
Lad into camp when the two were struggling
for the three-year-old crown. The dual de-
feat of big Mac entirely disposes OF tho
latter's chief claim to distinction. that 49,
wonderful ability at stretch running. IN
both of the races McChesney was near enough
TO his rival when they Strengthened out Tor
the wire TO NOW him down II possessed oil the
phenomenal speed for which his adherents
give him credit Though hard driven In
each instance. the Western champion coulo
not gain an inch on Africander. although the
early pace had been slow enough to allow ooth
horses 20 finish at top speed.
The excitement throughout the struggle
for the Brighton Cup furnished another proof
Of the popularity of long distance races
Though to practiced eyes 1t was apparent
that Major Daingerfcld had shot his bolt IN
the middle Of the backstretch. this was MOI
evident to the casual racegoer. aud the yell
for each OF the trio was deafsnng as the tail
enders closed on the tired leader With
nearly three minutes OF suspense the crowd
was worked up to fever heat as the horses
dashed down TO the wire and the Wild demon
stration at the finish was such that no six
furlonE or even n mile race could have aroused.
Afrfoander's victory places him at the top
of the four and Ave year old class. now that
Hermis and Irish Lad are In temporary re-
tirement. and his meeting with Beldarne and
T.. 49, -. ~l1r
will be watched with interest. Newton Ben
nington's fast Ally and Africander may meet
In the second special at Gravesend next Sat
urdHy, but for some reason Stalwart has not
been named for this event There is chance.
however, for the three cracks to meet on the
final day Of the Gravesend meeting in the
Oriental Handicap at a mile and quarter.
First Mason. the half brother to McChesney.
whom many think Is a better horse than the
much touted Western champion. Is also
entored In the Oriental and II these four
start the race should provide another trea
for those who like racing for the sport OF It.
rather than as an instrument for gambling
Many Of Afrioander's old supporters raj
lied to his standard last Saturday These
Included Charley Dwyer. for whom he won
fortune last year, only to lose 1t last spring
By his mediocre performances. His old
owner had a big wager down on the Star
Ruby colt, and there was much Joy In Sheepe-
head Bay over his victory.
Another feature of the Brighton meeting
was the success Of ". Davis. q Western jockey.
who led the riders at the meeting with seven
winning mounts. one second and four thirds,
Most OF Davis's mounts were at liberal odds
IN the betting and his supporters won hand
somely. On getaway day. however, just
when the public was beginning TO follow the
mounts Of the new star. Davis met with u
setback and landed In the money only once.
Redeem is second on the List. with five frsts.
two seconds and one third. He appears to
be one Of tho few boys who keep their heads
In prosperity. and since he came 70 the front
has ridden consistently and successfully
whsnsvsr his mounts have been OF any
account.
In commenting on Pretty Polly's victory
in the st. Leger the Field states that never
during the present generation has the great
race been won moro easily. Pretty Polly
10 placed on . pedestal as tho greatest nlly
Of modern times. In the following paragraph:
AZ tho moment fourteen successes. with
q money value Of we'll over ESQ 900. Ii Pretty
Pory's record. and one 10 now tempted TO
think that she Ii quite the best flly Of modern
times, II not the best which has ever trod the
turf. sosptre was brilliant at times and mod
crate at times. but Pretty Polly 10 always
brilliant and In her case there has never
been any need OF the electric rush which
Pretty Polly came upon the scene We were
inotned TO plaoe Soeptre. Achievement and
Ia Fleohe a. the three best hilies OF the last
iorty years lVraRo was before our time.
bus she was perhaps. as good as any OF the
otnslsi out IN the future Pretty Polly must
etena on niener peoestal than any OF them,
Tor not ono OF the lot put on such an eIuaordi-
nary sequence as the irish mare has done.
ana " eIuemeiy probable that she Will
remain unaeieaYeo 70 the emu OF her running
career. Al that can De urged against her 10
that AZ the present she mas not met any older
horses: outene STANDS right out rom the three
year-olos OF the present season. Just az she
oia among the two,year-olds OF last year.
Two Gays aiter the ~ Lager Pretty Polly
scored nef nlteentn Victory In the Park HI
STAKES.
a orhnant caro- mas been provided TO open
the sport a. Gravesend to-day. The Junior
champion. Tor ewo-year-olds, about SIX fur
Longs. and the First Special at one mile and
quarter. are tho main attractions Unfor-
tunately Sydney PaGet did not name his
Greet lly.Iradition for the big two-year-old
event. 50 there will be no repetition Of the
duel In the Futurity between Tradition and
James r. Keenes Sysonby. Tho latter is
NFKtWN