The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-16
IRISH LAD TO MEET
THE PICKET TO-DAY
Eastern Cracks viii Fight for
Purse in Suburban
Handicap

NEW YORK, June ia small field of
the finest thoroughbreds will struggle to-
morrow at Sheepshead Bay for the blue
ribbon of the Eastern turf, the $40, 900
Suburban handicap, at one and quarter
miles. So evenly balanced are the chances
of most of the candidates in the twenty
first running of this classic event that
even the most expert opinions as to the
probable result are valueless
An adjustment of the weights made for
tomorrow'S event will decide more equit-
ably the merits of the first four horses in
the Brooklyn handicap won by The
Picket, and If that splendid racer repeats
his victory tomorrow he will have to ex-
tend himself to the utmost. Confidence
of the Eastern turfmen is supreme in the
belief that The Picket will be unable to
repeat. and Irish Lad will go to the post
the public faverite as he was in the
handicap.
Hermis. from the stable of Edward R.
Thomas. is in grand form as was dem
onStrated when he won the Brookdale at
Gfavesend yesterday. almost equaling the
track record. for one mile and furlong.
This victory cost the son of Hermence
Suburban, but he will not feel the change
as he is good weight carrier.
odom to Ride Proper
Proper, who finished third in the Brook
lyn, having come from tenth place and
appropriated the small end of that purse
carry the silk of W. B. Jennings, of Cali
fornia. He will be ridden by George
Odom. instead of Lucien Lyme and his
owner today expressed the belief that he
will do better than third tomorrow. While
troopers work in preparation for the Sub
urban has been excellent. professional
handlcappers do not agree with the Jen-
nfngs predictions.
Hermis is at fit as Trainer Shields can
make him and, on paper with The Picket
CARRYING six pounds added weight. the
Thomas candidate and Irish Lad should
repeat the grand struggle left undecided
when they met in the Brooklyn.
The race between these horses should
De one OF the most thrilling ever seen on
the American turf.
Considerable of the deadwood which
encumbered the handicap will be out of
the way tomorrow, and although the
lightweights did not interfere with the
sence can only tend toward making the
Suburban more truly run race.
AfrIcander's Chances
tfricander's chances are believed to be
very slim. He won the Suburban last
year on a. muddy track This year his
form has not been so good at any time,
and there is every Indication that the
race viii be run over a fast track so
chances are not of the best. Major Dain-
geTf1eld is another uncertain proposition
he has great speed at times but is at
his best in the mud.
AL LOtAOIIOW ) COHl0SI SnOq1Q De
struggle for turf honorS the like of
which seldom has been seen and the horse
that wins will need be one with a heart
of oak. muscles of steel and a fast run
ner from staEt to finish. 1t is scarcely
within the bounds of possibility that
racing luck can interfere with the true
running of the contestants
If Irish Lad VindicateS the hopaS of
those who backed him to win a vast for
tune in the Brooklyn, only to see him
nosed out of the victory in sight of the
goal ne will be hailed as king of the turf
world. His work has been of the best
/ in preparation foT the race. as has also
that Of The Picket. Neither has started
since the Brooklyn. but both have taken
to their training splendidly and will ge
to the post in perfect condition The
prOba BILE starters are: