The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-04
BELMONT PARK OPENS TO-DAY
EI6HTEEN STARTERS NAMED
FOR TIE METROPOLITAN.

James u. heene'a Delhi ana AUGUST bei-
monVs Beldame I'm FaVOr-Wtth Fair
weather. so 900 Persons Are Expected
20 Wat Americas Finest Hacetrack.
Belmont Park, the finest racetraok in
America, viii be opened TO the public this
afternoon, and so 900 persons will probably
mako the trip TO Hampstead Plains TO see
the running Of the Metropolitan Handicap.
The SUCCESS OF the inaugural ceremonies
depends chiefly upon the weather. II the
aky u clear and the sun IA warm. the Long
Island Railroad will be taxed more than ever
before. Tho railroad people will run
trains from Fast Thirty-fourth street every
ten minutes after II 20 O'Clock. in order to
meet the expected rush. Belmont Park
can accommodate $4,000 spectators COM
fortably The huge grand stand seats more
than n 600 while the Geld stand has a seating
capacity Of 5000 more. on the long broad
lawn there Is room for moro than 80, 200.
while an overflow can find vantage points
along the rails in the lnneld. SO much has
been written about this magnificent race
oourBe that the crowd would probably go
anyway TO inspect ii. But the Metropolitan
Handicap itself Is such ma gnetio attraction.
cas- the entries stand. that the public could
not very well stay away.
The Metropolitan, which has always been
.3tho hrst really big handicap Of the year.
h at one mile. With $4,000 in added money,
{ Il has come TO be regarded a. a turf prize
worthy Of winning In the estimation OF the
richest owners. and to-day these noted turf
men, with scarcely an exception. will be
represented when the horses go TO the post.
According TO the CONSENSUS OF opinion preva-
lent among turfmen last night. James r.
Keens's Delhi the crack fouT-ypar-Old son OF
Ben Brush. will DO returned the winner
Delhi Ia a famous miller and an early horse.
90 be can be counted on to 90 to the
barrier Ia superb condition. James Rowe
has keyed him up 10 the right pitch. and with
q sensational trial OF a mile in l:iOh on Tues
day the colt is pronounced ready 10 run the
race Of his career. He will pick up "a pounds.
and Willie Shaw, a veteran Jockey. will have
! the mount Shaw will receive instructions
10 take Delhi to the front as soon as the field
Il sent away and race the others into the
ground This Is the way Delhi won nearly
all OF his great races last year. He has wonder
deTful speed, remarkable stamina and is one
Of the best thorou ghbreds that haveever been
bred by Mr.. Keene at Castleton
While Delhi will undOu btedly be- the public
favoritc, on the strength Of his recent trial.
August Belmont's famous mare Keldamc.
who was pretty near the champion three
yeaT-old last season. cannot he overlooked
IN the calculations. Beldame has been care
fully prepared for the race by Trainer Fred
BurleW. who sent her a mue on Monday at the
Bay in l:43 IS. Those who saw this work out
have been in a duandary ever since. some
insist that the mare was not in her best con-
Nditlon, while others are prone IN the belief
that she was not allowed 20 display her true
worth. But. no matter what these people say,
the fact remains that Be!taue. when il comes
20 racing, IS always a dangerous proposition.
Like Delhi she u essentially a front runner.
game and fast. and she can handle weight
with the best horses in training. She will have
i22 pounds 70 carry. which VIII be the actual
top weight, according 10 the scale and sex
allowance. and she viii be- ridden by Prank
O'Nenl. the boy who piloted her to victory
LIST year. That she VII be second IN favor
- the general belief among booRmakers and
sharp spectators who havo weighed the
Situation with srT'DulouS care.
Mr.. Keenes Sysonby, who was a phenom-
email tWo-year old. is also named for the
big race but he will not start as he is slated
70 20 in the opening event. the Belmont
Park Inaugural, at six furlOngs Sysonby
worked a mile at the Bay on Tuesday in 40
hat which shows that he is ready to repeat
last year 3 swftfooted performances. Next
70 Delhi and Beldame. the publio's favor
VIII probably be bestowed on c. r. Rowe's
entry, First Mason and Colonial Girl. First
Mason took Delhi's measure last summer.
but that occurred at a time when the Keene
horse was a bit stale.
Colonial Girl, with III pounds, IL thought
20 be a factor. In as much as she has worked
a nice mile in ~ and is in rare form for this
time of the year. Last June. il wiz be re-
membered this mare won the $50, 900
Worlds Fair Handicap from Hcrmis at St
louis. Harry Payne Whitney's colors will
be seen for the first time since the death Of
William c. Whitney, when Tanya carries
them TO the post for the Metropolitan. Tanya
was a star tWo-ycar tlly, q dazzling
Splinter and stake winner. although she
yielded the palm later on TO her sta bic mate,
Artful the winner Of tht futurity. John W.
Rogers has put Tanys in fine trim, and a
mile Ia i.la, done as easily as rolling on "a
log, has made her worthy Of much con-
aiderauou. Hndebraud will have the mount.
Although PiCHtce0 horses have been named
10 face IN" HtartCr, u Is probable that about
twelve Will 90. Trainers who have inspected
the top dressing Of the track say that It's
rather cUppy condition may serve as u handi-
cap 10 horses that have not been seasoned with
early raCnF Yet Supt German saws the
track will be fast. The Metropolitan will be
run AZ about Z O'Clock, as H. rs the fourth event
on the program. IL " 40 be IN rho reverse
Vay, or from right 10 left. from a spect ators
standpoint. method which viii prevail in
all races at Belmont Park. The conditions
and official entries for the big race are no
fellows:
FOURTH RACE
Metropolitan Handlcap. for three -year-ods and
upward $1,000 added one mile