New-York tribune., 1908-08-29
Good Field for Rich Stake at
Sheepshead Bay.
THE STARTERS FOR THE $4,000
FUTURITY.

Nine ~ tho erea-es, o-vear-olds of the year
representing the leading stables or Amef'cs- "h
struggle this afternoon for the classic fueuiis'
tho chief event Of the year for the youngsters over
the beautiful course of the Coney Island Jockey
Club This great race which will be worth some
sa5 ooo six furlongs and its previous winners
have included Of the nlightiest horses IN the
thoroughbred world The race lies among nve men
Harry Payne whitney. who has named three
starters: James R. Keene and John E. Maiden
with two each August Belmont Win ohe' Gnu
Herman B. Duryea. with one
Under ordinary conditions forty thousand persons
would be on hand 10 see this race run, put great
changes have taken place In turfdom since the
Futurity OF 1907 was won by the mighty Coiin
Whether the attendants will be ten thousaho
or twenty thousand or thirty thousand is a oues-
ton which will not be decided until this afternoon
No one can tell this morning
Far and away the most important change which
has taken place has been the elimination OF bet
ting The Coney Island Jockey Club has placed
its professional betting end threatened to
close its gates to public If IL IS unable TO stop
the memory brokers' from operating. There lis
little likelihood Of this however the pro
fess.onal layers will take chances Of arrest at
this time OF course. if one friend desires to bet
with another and no record is made Of the bet.
neither will be molested but this will be the ex-
tent Of the speculation.
Visitors to Sheepshead Bay this afternoon will
find the seld stand closed Instead the admission
has been reduced to g. with the price for women
g. There will be racing every day except Friday.
when the truck will be closed. there is in
varah,y poor attendance on that day. Though
the Coney Island Jockey Club expects to face a big
deficit at the close OF this meeting. there is
son why the track should not be well patronized.
for there thousands OF around this city
who are satisfied to see the thoroughbred in ac-
ton without speculatng financially on his ability
Who will win the Futurity? This question has
been asked on all sides for two weeks or more
and there have been at least half dozen different
answers to il. The majority OF those who have
followed the youngsters closely since they made
their debuts have decided that the will prove
q duel between the Keene and the Madden entrants
Helmet and Maskette against Sir Martin and Fay
ette Mr. Maddens colts have the post Of
honor. each OF them carrying iG pounds, while
Helmet gets in with 123 pounds and Maskette,
Disguise hlly, with 11s pounds.
In hi. last race, the Hopeful Stakes. Saratoga,
Helmet took the measure OF Harry Payne Whit
ney'. Perseus and Bobbin and Mr.. Madden's great
pair Sir Martin and Fayette In that race Helmet
had fifteen pounds the better OF the weights the
Madden colts. To-day he is in receipt of only four
pounds There is doubt that Maskette is a
grand hIly. and will rare well with her lis pound
burden but II Is probable that Mr. Keenes colors
will have to be carried to victory by Helmet, II
at all
OF Mr. whitney's three starters Perseus which
finished second to Helmet in the Hopeful Stakes
appears 20 be the best. In that race they both
ried the same weight, while to-day Perseus will be
in receipt of six pounds from Helmet. Mr.. Bel
Ynont's Practical, q OF Hastings. and a full
brother OF the unbeaten Prscilian. might be ex-
pected to run we'll X the track should be heavy,
but that is not likely. Mr.. Duryea's Mediant ha.
outside chance, she q brilliant In
the Saratoga Special.
The Madden pair appeared to be the most favored
among horsemen yesterday. but Helmet and Per-
seus were generally accounted dangerous.