New-York tribune., 1907-01-28
APPROVAL OF WEIGHTS.
Brighton Handicap Allotments
amount to Official Rating.

The weights for the Brighton Handicap, which
practically presage those for the Brooklyn and
Suburban, were well received by the rank ana
file of handicappers last week. There was a
general feeling that they were fair and equi-
table in the main W. S. vosburgh the official
Handicapped of the Jockey Club, is considered
the cleverest weight ad1uster in the country.
For that reason the allotment Of weights means
something more than what a certain horse must
carry in a race in far-off July. 1t amounts to
the first official rating of practically all the best
horses which made racing history last year
and two or three others which stood out In
previous years.
Burgomaster we'll deserves the place at the
top. in view of his performances as a two-year-
old and his two victories in his only starts last
year. The only surprise is that he IS not rated
more than two pounds better than Accountant,
an honest and consistent horse, but one which
clever judges pronounced lucky TO earn the
place he did last year as the biggest money
winner with S71.575 to his credit. 1t is only
natural. however. that Accountant must suffer
the hardships OF greatness this year. although
it is hardly likely that he win be able to take
up his weight and maintain his place as Syson-
by Hernis, Hamburg many other truly
great horses could
Considering her sex allowance, Artful Is rated
on a par with Burgomaster. and this is only
right as she Is unquestionably one OF the
greatest mares ever foaled and raced in this
country. and this with all credit to such good
ones as Reckon, Imp. Beldame and Hamburg
Belle ArtfuI is practically unbeaten. Twice
she was placed second behind stable cOmpan-
ions In preparation for the FUturity, but other
wise she never met defeat. If she trains on this
year more triumphs seem assured. Oiseau's
high place is a legacy from previous years.
hardly deserved.
1t is worthy OF comment that the official
handicapper ranks Running Water as the best
three-year-old hlly last year. two pounds better
than Whimsical and five pounds better than
Flip Flap. both OF which had many followers on
the much mooted question Running Water well
deserves the place.
The three-year-olds, Of which practically all Of
the good youngsters OF last year are weighted
make a particularly interesting study In the
matter OF an official ranking. Mr.. Vosburgh,
like the majority OF racegoers, considers Salvi-
dere the best, but he places Electtoneer. the
Futurity winner. and James r. Keene's Peter
Pan only three pounds away. whereas six
pounds would appear to be nearer the mark.
He ranks W. H. Daniel fourth and above De
Mund. concerning which there is room for an ar
gument, while Fountainblue gets apparently
undeserved place above Ballot. Kentucky Beau
and others. Court Dress is ranked best OF the
FLIES. with 101 pounds. This is one pound more
than was allotted to Artful two years ago in
the same race-which she won.
In talking with number OF amateur handi-
cappers and close followers OF form. there was
not one who would saw that any particular
horse stood out" and a number Of owners and
trainers agreed that the weights appeared fair.
The horses chiefly favored in the matter OF fancy
were Burgomaster, 127. and Artful 122, If they
train on; Running Water, III; Inc Quali, Ia
Salvidere. 1OS and Oxford. los. IL was recalled
that The Quail beat Accountant head for the
place In the Belmont Stakes last year. at even
weights whereas the official Handicapped now
places them eleven pounds apart. The Quail
was retired early last season. but II he trains
on again this year. he has a decided pull in
the weights on line with Accountant.
Now that the racing dates for the coming sea-
son in the metropolitan district have been an
nounced. racing folk are beginning to grow I'M
patient for the day when the bugle will call the
horses TO the post for the first race. There IS
now something definite to look forward TO, how
ever and plans can even be made for seeing the
big fixtures about which so much interest CEN
tres. Unless some radical changes are made
from the procedure OF other years. the Carter
Handicap will be run on April 10 at AQueduct.
the Excelsior Handicap on April %. at Jamaica;
the Metropolitan Handicap on May Q at Belmont
Park. the Brooklyn Handicap on May 20 at
Gravesend, the Suburban Handicap on June 70
at Sheepshead Bay, the Brighton Handicap on
Handicap on August at Saratoga The ar
rangement OF the dates met with general ap-
proval, the split dates In the spring meetings
at Belmont Park and Gravesend worked out ~
the satisfaction OF all concerned last year.
England's greatest steeplechase, the Grand
National to be over the Atntree course. az
Liverpool, on March %. has closed with sixty
four nominations. Of which four are the prop
erty of American owners. They are Foxhall
Keenes Prophet III. Grant Hugh Brownies John
NJ. Z. and Thomas Clyde's Darine and Ctnders.
The number OF nominations 10 the blue dbbon
event Of the crOss-Country division OF racing Is
smaller than In other years. but this is ettrib-
uted to the fact that owners Of horses with no
public chance OF winning have decided TO
forfeits to a greater extent than in the past, al
though there is always q great desire to try for
the race with anything that can jump, and the
falling of is not taken as indicative OF a de-
crease In popularity.
To Americans the most interesting feature OF
the Grand National list IS the entry OF John
NJ. p, as the property OF Grant Hugh Browne.
John NJ p. raced IN this country last season
with fair share Of success. although he failed
miserably in the Champion Steeplechase at Bel
mont Park last fall. dropping out OF the race
three fences from the finish, when hOpelessly
tired out and badly defeated. He had started
favorite for the English Grand National OF
1906 before being brought over. but fell at the
end OF three miles and a half. For time after
his first appearance on this side he con-
sidered likely winner OF the Champion, but he
apparently trained of. and failed TO stick
through the soggy going that existed on the day
of tho race.
When announcement was made that John
NJ p and his stablemate, Desert Chief were to
be returned to England, some speculation was
aroused as 70 whether they had actually been
purchased by Mr. Browne or had been leased for
q season OF American racing John NJ P's
nomination 10 the Grand National In the name
of Grant Hugh Browne seems to settle the Quss-
ton, and also makes it appear probable that
John NJ p. viii again be seen in this country.
o