New-York tribune., 1906-05-10
BELMONT PARK OPENING
BIG FIELD IN HANDICAP.
Nineteen Horses Carded to Start an
Rich metropolitan.

(9tCN eEGUOpOHtUHs
ms is the day 10 which all lovers OF the regal
fhg-ouzhbred have been looking forward TO for
months. Il marks the opening Of the first spring
unceting OF the Westches;er Racing Association at
g,eIrnont Park the biggest. best appointed aud
nost co.nmodious racing inclosure in this country
Il has been aptly called the Newmarket Of America,
and those who have seen both courses contend that
Il is quito the equal OF the famous track in Eng
lard The racing season in the metropolitan dis
trict IS now almost four weeks old The sport az
Acueduct was excellent and that at Jamaica even
better but those meetings. good they were.
served only IS curtain rase.s f0r the real opening
of the Eastern racing season to-day.
Thousands viii go 10 tho track from every walk
in life 10 honor the occasion and 10 sec the run
nirg OF the historic Metropolitan Handicap. Il
matters not that with The exception of the big
race and the New York Steeplechase the card is
hardly up the standard of those which have been
offered at Aqueduct and Jamaica, for racing folk
viii go 10 the track rain or shine. there IS
glsnour about the Metropolitan Handicap hard to
explain. but none the less a'luring In two races
Al least there VIII be no cause for complaint, as
sport Of the best is promised with an environment
most attractive.
improvements in detail have been made at Bel
mont Park since it was first opened to the pubic
last year. and ie IS the best and most com
plete racing plant that money or brains couio oe-
wise. It's neWness has worn off, but II stih LOOKS
spick and span. and would have to be nara 10
please indeed who could not go 10 the track ana
feel that everything possible had been done Tor MS
cOnfors and entertainment.
Nineteen horses have been sent out as probaole
starters for the sixteenth running of the Metropo-
tan Handicap at one mile, end IL would be no sur
prise II az the last minute two others might
be added 20 race for the rich prize 1t has ever
been great contest and always worthily won' and
to-days running Is likely to be exception TO the
rule The horses are well matched a the weights
ana the outlook Is for OF those stirring drives
30 the wire which Quickens the pulse and adds so
much 20 the charm OF racing.
OF the nineteen carded thirteen have had part Of
their preparation actual races. and four Of these
st least ISRAELI Roseben. Grapple and Accountant.
have acquitted themselves in a way TO insure them
many followers to-day Unfortunately the track is
likely 20 be heavy. or at least dead and cuppy,
and this will probably count against Roseben.
which now has the opportunity TO redeem himself
Cor his defeat in the Excelsior Handicap The big
weight carrying sprinter. which holds the worlds
record for six furlings circular track. is at top
weight Of those named with 12s pounds, and it looks
almost as II his task was too much.
IsraGel made host Of friends on his easy victory
IN the Kings County Handicap last Saturday, and
Il IS more than likely that he will go to the post
q slight favorite Grapple. although lacking in class
perhaps won his last easily that he too Will
have many friends. The same can be said for Ac-
countant, which won his only start in way to
indicate that he had grown and developed into a
1ood three-year-old. The others which have start
ed this year are more less forlorn hopes. with
the possible exception OF Ormonde's Right, which
is erratc inconsistent at best Colonial Girl is
ln well and might show improvement over her first
start.
Harry Payne Whitney IS depending upon Peg
ssus, a three -year-old. which viii make his first
appearance of the season He was highly thought
OF last year, but hardly raced up 70 expectations.
He is loyalty bred by Hamburg-Peg Wofhngton'
and is said 10 have outwOrked his stable COM
panons IN preparation for this race. Thomas
Hitchcock jr's. Dandelion has been prepared at
Washington. He worked mile the reverse way
of that track a few days ago in l:42, which was
quite good enough to give him a royal chance to-
d2v under Jos pounds StalWart is also said to
have been working well, but II is so long since he
has the starter, because of leg trouble last
year that little dependence be placed on the
good Of Medar, which was ranked at the very
top in his thTee-year-Old form.
The race. from whatever point viewed, looks dis
tinctly open II will be battle in which the skill
and the brains Of the jockeys, as well as the speed
and stamina Of the horses viii have an important
part. There VIII be no waiting, but a breathless
well deserve the plaudits Of the crowd and the
honor which the winning of race of this kind
brings.
The horses will the reverse way Of the track,
but racegoers grew familiar with this method last
year. and are now willing TO accept it without
niurnuring. The probabilities last night were for
clear weather and the races Will be decided under
bright skies, even though the track may not be at
The entries for the races other than the Metro
politan Handicap follow:
FIRST RACE-For three-year-olds and over s1OOC
added. Six furlongs, main course