New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-09
BELMONT PARK POPULAR
Racing Folk Haze Generously Set
Their Stamp of ApproUaI.

The racing at Belmont Park last week was OF
O Kind to make new converts for the sport, and
the big inclosure which in its newness last
spring caused some misgivings has come in one
short week to be second only in popularity to
Sheepshead Bay. There has been no falling off
in the matter Of attendance, the racing has been
on high plane, new records have been made
and favorites have more than held their own
Belmont Park has taken the place with racing
folk it's builders designed and it is not far cry
to its being the Newmarket of America The
improvements since the first meeting last May
have made for it's betterment and few words OF
complaint or criticism have been heard during
the current meeting. The parklike Enclosure, the
striking vista Of woods and fields, the broad
stretches and well kept lawns. appeal to the
eye and add to the pleasure Of days racing
There seems to be less of commercialism and
more of sport, and this only work for good
The English method of running the reverse
way of tho track has been accepted, now that
it has been found that it does not necessarily
interfere with the so-caIled form Of the horses.
At the spring session the boys and not the horses
were to blame, it would seem. for the III and
out performances which caused such howl OF
protest 1t has been proved conclusively that
there is no more necessity for going wide on
the stretch turn at Belmont Park than at any
other track, and, knowing this, the Jockeys have
tant point In q
The decision Of the Westminster Racing As
ISOLATION to run all races for horses three years
old and over the main track is cause for con-
graduation. 1t has been proved concIuSlVeIy
that racing around turn Is truer. as RUE,
than down long, wide, straight course In the
races down the chute at Belmont Park the two
year-olds now experienced at the game, are ell
over the track, and 1t is the exception rather
than the rule to see a horse come down true 70
the line They either bear out or In with the
same chance of Interference as around a turn
The transportation facilities are better than
ever before for the inland Long Island tracks,
and this in itself has done much in keeping the
attendance UP.
The track is lightning fast, and unquestionably
the safest in the country. Records have fallen
in an amazing way and two new worlds marks
have been established. 1t seems a pity that
SysOnby and Artful cannot meet at one mile
at Belmont Park in that event a new worlds
record could be looked for that would put the
present mark Of 81 2-5 in the shade. AS it is
horses like Grapple and New MoWn Hay are
running the distance in close to 1888. while Rose
ben, with 141 pounds up, made new figures FOR
q circular track at six furlOngS Of III 80 This
performance by the way, was q notable one and
puts the big son of Ben Strome-Rose Leaf in the
class with Voter Chuctanunda and Reliable.
From weight carrying standpoint, ROseben's
record has never perhaps been equaIled. His
average impost has been around 40 pounds, and
he has kept on winning since the earliest meet
ings with a consistency that has been remark
able. As a rule, the class Of horses he has beaten
were not of the best, but his opportunities in
this line have been limited and there is no rea-
son to question his class when racing over
sprinting distances.