New-York tribune., 1908-08-10
LAST WEEK AT THE SPA
SUCCESS FOR MEETING.
Rich Stakes, yith Entries of Class,
to Mark Closing Days.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Saratoga Aug s-The midsummer meeting of
the Saratoga Racing Association has one week
more to run The end will Saturday, with
the North American Steeplechase at about three
miles the Merchants and Citizens Handicap at one
mile and three-sixteepths and the rich Hopeful
Stakes for two year-ods at elk furlongs the
features. The end should prove a fitting climax
to most successful meeting from a racing stand
point. Everything else aside, the sport this year
has been. quite up to the standard. and while the
Saraotga Racing Association must in all probahil-
ty face a deficit. the attendance has been encour-
aging under the conditions.
1t is a far cry to the racing season OF 1903, and
more particularly to the meeting in this village
Much may happen between and January / to
change the complexion of situation which is
too bright for racing, but there seems to be
general feeling here that racing is far from dead
and that taps" Saturday will not mark the
end of the sport at the attractive inclosure,
many feared.
The Hopeful Stakes on Saturday, which with ten
starters viii be worth about s1S0oo is sure to at
tract a strong field. among those eligible
John E. Madden's Sir Martin and Fayette James
r. Keenes Helmet, Esperanto and Turncoat, Harry
Payne Whitneys Bobbn and Hillside, John San
ford's Duncraggin. August Belmonts Practical and
Herman B. Duryea's Summer Night and StrikS Out
At the present writing looks If the rich prize
will fall to the lot of John E. Madden who has
won most of the big two-year-old fixtures this sea-
son with either Sir Martin or Fayette James R.
this stake but unfortunately for him his three
great fllics Maskette, Melisande and Wedding Bells
were not named, and unless Jimmie Rowe has
new one under cover Helmet must be depended
If the Keene colors are to show in front.
The Merchants and Citizens Handicap, while
worth only $500 this year. is almost sure to provide
good race, as the best of the older horses in
training are eligible. including Fair Play, 'Dande-
lion, Angelus. King James. Danoscara Kennyetto
Stamina, Fire Stone and Big Chief The majority
of these likely to go to the post in which case
the race will rival in interest that the Hopeful
Stakes.
OF the other fixtures this week the historic
Travers Of $500 Tuesday and the Grand Union
Hotel Stakes of $4,000 Wednesday the lead
ers in point of value. The thirtieth running of the
Saratoga Cup is on the programme Thursday. and
while this year its added money value is only $780,
it will not be lacking in interest and the Saratoga
Racing Association did well to preserve its Sc
quence. Kentucky, a of Lexington, the
first winner of this cup in 1866. while those who
have scored in recent years Africander Bel
dame. Caughnawaga, Go Between and Running
Water. The distance Is mile and six furlongs
The Travers, at mile and a quarter is one
year older than the Saratoga Cup 1t first
In 1854, with Kentucky the winner Last year
Frank Gill won for j. L. McGinnis. Among those
likely to go TO the post this year August Bel
mont's Fair Play, F. A Forsythe's Dorante, John
E Madden's King James. John sanford's Sir John
Johnson and Harry Payne Whitneys Stamina and
Bar None. The last named is still maiden, al
though he ran second to Colin in the Futurity and
third to Colin and Celt in the Flatbush Stakes last
and earned close to 5000. 1t is rather
usual for horse of his class 20 be still maiden
this time of his three year-old year, but he has
been none too sound and Jack Joyner has been
working along slowly to get him up to a winning
race before sending him to the post. The condi-
ton of the track last Thursday made it impossible
for him to get public trial for the Travers
1t begins to look If James R Keene held a
stronger hand for the Futurity to be on August
q at the opening of the fall meeting of the Coney
Island Jockey Club than was indicated before the
meeting here. Maskette, daughter of Disguise,
won two races last week that stamp her one of
the best two-year-olds of the season. Many clever
judges pronounce her as good a fly as Harry
Payne Whitney's Artfu which the Futurity
several years ago and later the Brighton Handicap.
The late John W. Rogers. who trained for Harry
Payne Whitney, used to say that Artful one
of the best horses he ever train If not the best
and If Maskette proves as good. Mr. Keene be
congratulated.
The Keene stable is particularly strong in two
year-old fllies this year with Maskette Melisande
Wedding Bells, Suffragette and Tatling. The last
named Is still untried. but work is likely
hold her own in any company
In view of the fact that Mr.. Keene declared TO
win the spinaway Stakes Wednesday with Mas
kettle, the conclusion jumped at that his chief
dependence for the Futurity Wedding Bells.
The latter ran a brilliant behind her stable
and it is Just possible she may be quite good
as Maskette. Because of her victory in the Spin
away Stakes Maskette must take up l2l pounds IN
the Futurity If she goes to the post
John H Davis, the oldest trainer in this country,
and in all probability the Oldest trainer in the
world, was a visitor here last week and
warmly welcomed by many horsemen. He organ
lied a stable way back in 1S45 race in Canada,
and from that time until few years ago he
actively associated with racing and trained horses
for some Of the most prominent owners in the
country. Jake Pincus, who is generally credited
with being the oldest trainer in the country, rode
for Mr.. Davis in 1854 He looks hale and hearty,
and at this late date has turned from training TO
writing, and has prepared a history OF the Ameri-
can turf Mr. Davis prominent in the nego-
tiations the match for $4,000 of Lexington
against time. Lexington went out beat the four
mile record of 1926 made by LIE Compile in the only
race In which Lexington beaten, and ne
succeeded by establishing mark OF 7:192. which
in those days looked little short OF re-
markable
Many horsemen will leave here Friday TO be
hand for the opening of the summer meeting of
Saturday. The programme for the meeting as pub
lished in The Racing Calendar this week
welcomed by owners and trainers. and James But
Ter lauded all sides for the liberal offerings
Enough good horses have been named for the
Yonkers Handicap with So. 900 added. to insure a
calls the horses TO the post. The neets>x Will
until August "a,