Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-18
I. R. KEENE READY FOR
SYNSONBY-ARTFUL RACE.

NEW YORK, September 1S-The most
interesting turf problem Of the year. the
possible special race between Sysonby and
Artful, has gathered new life and interest
within the past few days, and, though
the chances Of the race being arranged are
no less uncertain now than they were
week ago. patrons Of racing are speculat-
Ing on results that may come from the
running Of the Second Special Stakes at
Gravesend on Saturday next as the start
Ing point of the rekindled rivalry between
the horses. The only reason that the Sec
ond Special has entered into estimates
based on the popular desire to see the race
arranged is that this important fixture. the
chief event Of the closing days racing at
Gravesend. is the last stake of the year
in which both Sysonby and Artful are en-
gagged. and is actually the last stake en-
gagement that Sysonby has for the sea-
son OF 1905. Artful Is well engaged
throughout Brighton Beach and Belmont
Park meetings, and 1t was with view to
having her fill some Of these engagements
that the noted filly went back into active
training as soon as possible after her re-
cent sickness.
James r. Keene, owner Of Sysonby,
while declining to make any special men,
ton Of Artful in connection with his plans
for Sysonby. following his victorious race
for the annual Champion stakes at Sheeps-
head Bay week ago last Saturday, did
state at that time, however. that Sysonbys
race then was not necessarily the last that
the champion colt would run this year.
The real cause Of the renewed hopes that
Sysonby and Artful will come together
was Mr.. Keene's resentment of an implied
doubt as to whether Sysonby actually is,
as Mr.. Keene believes. the greatest horse
that the American turf ever has known.
The doubt was conveyed in the answer by
Trainer A. ]. Joyner to Mr.. Keene's chal-
lenge for him to name some horse that
might be regarded as the equal Of Syson-
by. Trainer JOyners retort was simply
that he could name number of mighty
good" horses. and 1t seemed that the train
er suggestion that Sysonby was not to be
regarded as anything more than mighty
good moved the owner of the champion to
make offer of the most convincing de-
tense that could be presented. Going over
to Trainer James Rowe as once, Mr.. Keene
asked him as to Sysonbys condition in
general way, and, on being informed that
the record winning three-year-old was do
ing we'll and had suffered in no way from
his long campaign, Mr.. Keene said: We'll,
get him ready to race with any horse at
any distance from three-Quarters of a mile
up The conversation was overheard by
only few persons and the managers Of
Sysonby and Hamburg Belle later said
that nothing definite had been decided for
the horses.
The special that turfmen now have in
mind is the offer of purse of $4,000 by
the Brighton Beach Racing Association for
a race with Sysonby. Artful and Hamburg
nal Offer is to close today. to be run at
the Brighton Beach meeting next week. 1t
has not been stated by any of the persons
most concerned whether 1t is intended to
enter the three horses, but even should the
Brighton special race not fill, patrons of
racing will not surrender hope of a meet
ing of the great rivals until the retirement
Of the horses for the season Is announced