Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-06
TURF TALK
At SARATOGA
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special DlSpatch TO The StaE-
SARATOGA, N. Y, August Oak Lawn
has been bought by August Belmont for
10000. The deal by which the crack two
year-old son of Farandole- Margaret Jane
passed from the hands of Willie Shields.
who developed him, was completed just be-
fore the racing began here this afternoon.
The desire of the president of the Jockey
Club to have his colors victorious in the
Saratoga special, 1t is said, was Mr.. Bel
mont's chief reason for buying the colt.
He was one of the choices in the betting,
prise to his new owner Oak Lawn was
bought by Shields as a yearling for 81. 100
and was developed at Hot Springs during
the winter meeting there. Coming east in
the spring, he won six straight races at
Washington, Aqueduct and Jamaica, fnclud-
ing the Washington nursery, and Shields
then declared that he would win the Sara
toga special with him. After the racing
began at the big tracks Oak Lawn, not
having any stake engagements was tenn
porarily retired and specially prepared for
today's race. Report of the fast work he
had done recently had been carried to Mr.
Belmont, who sent for Shields this morning.
and when the latter arrived al the Belmont
cottage an offer was made for the colt.
The DEAL however, was not contaminated
until later. when Shields and Mr.. Belmont
met at tbs track. In the clubhouse Mr.. Bel
mont pressed his first offer. Shields accept
ed it, and the formal transfer papers were
quickly drawn up.
Oak Lawns poor showing today is ac-
counted for by the fact that he has been too
long out of actual racing and was very
green and rank. He broke badly at the post
and was badly tangled up in the early
running He will do better later.
Today's was the thirty-eighth running of
the Jerome stakes. 1t first run in 1864.
and was continued without interruption
each year until 1895. when 1t was discon-
tinued for a year. 1t was not run after
1897 until 1901. when it was won by Blues.
Among its famous winners have been Ken
lucky. Glenelg, Harry Bassett, Hindoo, In
spector B.. Sir Dixon. Henry OF Navarro.
Joe Daniels, Duke OF Magenta, Hermis and
Broomstick. The original distance was
mile and six furiongs.
Mohawk lis time in the Saratoga special
equaled the record. 1.07. hung up by Sy-
sonby. last years winner. The other win
ners of the event were Goldsmith, Irish
Lad and AriStocracy.
Adolph Spreckles. the California sugar
king and the breeder OF Voorhees,. was at
the track and had bet of $500 all three
ways on the son Of Solitaire Incarnation
II. Il came all the way from the coast to see
this fellow rum" said Mr.. Spreckles, for.
you know, he still really belongs to me.
His running qualities only have been sold.
The fact that Mr.. Belmont paid $4,000 for
Oak Lawn, however, just to nave that colt
afraid. For that reason | did not have
big wager as l should otherwise have had
Palm Trees showing was a distinct re-
versal of public form, and was SO glazing
that 1t caused no end of comment in the
crowd. Only a few days ago he defeated a
much better lot than he faced yesterday at
the same distance. On that occasion he
had his speed. Yesterday he had none.
Had old Goldsmith been able to win the
inc rae Fra, l Tor and ta fv;a 40
would have pulled off good-sized killing
They pounded the old Whitney CASTOR
down from 20 to 1 to to 1. Walsh was
utterly unable to help the old horse.
Frank Farrell. Tony Aste and Jack Ben
nett all put in claims for Jocund after tho
running of the first race. Farrell was
quickest. however. getting the son Of Mirth-
fu' for 5000.
The defeat Of five favorites was a hard
blow for the crowd.