New-York tribune., 1908-08-03
SARATOGA'S GOOD START
FINE SPORT THIS UEEk.
Weefing Viii ProUe Far More sac
cessfuI Than Enpected.
AN Telegraph e 81 Tribune ]

IBy Telegraph The Tribune
Saratoga Aug Now that the midsummer
meeting of the Saratoga Racing Association is far
" under way it can be said in all fairness tnat
the sport has remarkably strong hold IN TINS par.
of the state in spite OF conditions that q II" sHoI
weeks ago many Thought would sound the deai'.
kne of racing II hard to tell what the nnsii
outcorne will he but for this year at least the
meeting will be successful. barring uniooheo io'
happenings even beyond the hopes OF tle mus
onttmistic The crovd which turned out on sat
ur1ay was not far behind that of the same day ast
year I'm happier times for racing. and estaoIsneu
bevoud question the remarkable popularity Oh tns
snort even without bookmaking, IN tne accep'oO
sense of the word.
Sheriff Bradley and the officials OF the Saratos
Racing Association have worked in harmony up u
this time under the construction to oral Wagers
by Justice Bischoff, and there has been niue VI nv
trouble seeing that the law was observed u ei'
letter, as those in attendance have SHOWN no uIs
position to violate the statute and face the
indignity of arrest The line may be me one
but the memory brokers' and those who care 10
wager have been watchful TO keep on the sa1e sue
The attendance is almost sure 10 improve as 'ne
meeting progresses as has been the case in pre-
vious years. but II it does not the Saratosa
Racing Association is likely to come through Wltn-
out having to draw largely on its reserve 1uno
The programme this week gives promise OF soiii7
high sport Nine stakes are caroeo' lncluulS
the spnaway, of $4,000, for two-year-oid nlnes o"
Wednesday and the Saratoga Special one OF the
most coveted fixtures of the season, Wnich may Do
worth something over $4,000. on Saturday Inc
other stakes include the Huron Handicap, Tor three
year-olds at mile and three-sixteenths anu tie
Seneca for three-year-olds at six furlongs' Oh
Tuesday: the Saratoga Steepechase, on Wednes-
day; the Troy, five and half fur1ongs' ana the
Alabama of 5000, for three-year-old hlles' on
Thursday; the Albany Handicap for two-yeal-oiUS'
at six furlongs, Friday, and the BeVef"Soh
steeplechase of 81 200. together with the saratos@
Special. on Saturday
rrt.o min nf
Stakes for two-year-od hes is likely to attract d
strong field as among those eligible are James H.
Keene's Sufragette, Wedding Bells and Maskette
Harry Payne Whitney's Top Note and sun Dance
the Newcastle Stables Counterpart, H b DurEea ;
Summer Night and Constellation and August Bel
mont's Golden View. Mr.. Keene holds strong
hand so far as can be judged and in all proba-
bity will add the stake TO his big total or winnings
for the season Julia Powell won the race Iast
wear while other recent winners include James h
Keene's Court Dress. Senator McCarrens Edna
Jackson, H B. Duryea's Ianya ana fleu NeD
hardt's Raglan.
The Saratoga Special is ranked the sporting
stake of The season. The conditions call for a
subscription $1,000 EACH half forfeit. with silver
cup of the value of $50 added by the Saratoga
Racing Association. Subscribers name three horses
only one Of which may start for each subscription
The distance Is six furIongs. Fourteen subscrip-
ttons we're made of which James r. Keene has two
John T. Madden three and Harry Payne whitney
two. The other subscribers were August Belmont.
James B. Brady H. B. Duryea, F. a. Forsyth.
p r Hitchcock the Montpelier Stable and John
Sanford.
Whereas John E. Madden appears to have the
race at his mercy with either Sir Martin OF Fay
ette which, fortunately for him, were named in
different subscriptions It looks as If nine horses
would go to the post, which would make the race
worth s11 500 In all probability the field will be
made up of August BeImont's Practical, H b
DURYEA'S Strike Out. F. A Forsyth's High Private
Jsmes r Keene's Helmet and Melisande, John Z
Naddeu's Sir Martin and 5Fayette. John Sanfords
norman and Harry Payne whitney's Bobbin- OF
these Practical. Strike Out. Bobbin and HOFFMAN
cannot be considered seriously on any form up 10
this time but Jimmie Rowe believes that he may
win the rich prize Mr. Keene with Helmet
Melisande while F. A Forsyth has much conf
dence in his Oddfellow colt High Private, which
ran a number of good races early in the season
Opinions differ as to the relative merits of John
E Madden-s Sir Martin and Fayette which up
70 this time have made almost clean sweep be-
tween them of the richest two-year-old fixtures of
the season Sir Martin may be his chief hope over
the six furlong distance, as the Ogden colt has
shown a disposition 10 q route, but the master
of Hamburg Place is rather counting on running
one two as he has done in no less than In four
stakes this season, including the Great Trial. the
fremont the Great American and the First Half
of the Double Event
Sir Martin has won six out of nine races this
year including the Second Half of the Double
National Stallion and two overnight events He
finished second to his stable companion Fayette In
two other races that in point of fact his only
real defeat this year was in an overnight race at
Belmont Park on May 2 when he ran second 70
Uncle Jim after being practically left at the post.
He has won s53. 0oo in round numbers and is ac-
counted by many good judges the champion two
year-old of the season
Fayette has started seven times winning the
First Half of the Double Event and the fremont
StakP finishing second IT
Great Trial and Great American. Helmet beat
him a head for the place in the Second Half Of
the Double Event. and he finished third to FItz
Herbert and Preceptor in overnight race at
Belmont Park, when he greenIy- In his first
start, on May 10, he was left at the post. He has
earned some s23 900 for Mr. Madden. In view of
all this il looks as If one or the other would add
the Special to the list. Both have been rested up
since the spring meeting at Sheepshead Bay. and
both are said to be in fine condition and ready
go to the post.
If looks count for anything John sanford's Hoff-
man. a well furnished colt by Isidor-ATrowgrass,
and hence half-brother to the great Irish Lad.
will develop into a high class two-year-o He
ran greenly iE his first start on Thursday but is
almost to improve when he goes to the post
again. in spite of the fact that he could not keep
within striking distance of the pace that
sion Duncraggan. a chestnut colt by Rockton-
Rockwater. has looks 10 recommend him also. but
he acted bit ungainy in his first start Thurs
day and his way of going not impressive. He
may improve also. but it looks as II Hoffman
would prove the better colt.
James r. Keene showed on Thursday
named Hilarious a colt by Voter-Harpsichord
which made fine impression yesterday when he
won the United States Hotel Stakes. He ran
greenly on Thursday and Notter had trouble in
keeping him straight in the run through the
stretch. but he away right at the end and
won with much in hand. to all appearances. that
it is probable is of the best. IL not the best