New-York tribune., 1918-05-27
Turf Stars to Clash
In Belmont Classic
Jack Hare, Jr., Has Good
Chance to Beat Omar
Roamer Dangerous
By W. ]. Macbeth

he Metropolitan Handicap. the first
Q. tas four greatest turf classics of
Re metropolitan district, will feature
to-day's opening of the annual spring
meeting at picturesque Belmont Park.
The event in itself is so rich in tradi-
,ion as to guarantee the presence of
every thoroughbred enthusiast of the
immediate vicinity. This year. how
ever, the Metropolitan, though of prime
imoortance, will be but one of six high
class events that will send to the post
some of the most notable horses in
training.
While the Metropolitan Handicap
this year has attracted a prospective
field Of an even dozen and while every
aorse saddled for any event has some
chance OF victory, however slight, the
honors OF this particular race seem to
lie among three champions or near
champions OF various ages: Jack Hare.
Jr the winner of the three-year- old
second division Of the rich Preakness
run at Pimlico recently; Omar Khay-
yam, the sensational four-year-old,
which is considered by many the best
horse in training, and Roamer the
king pin of the aged division.
Omar Khayyam Most Consistant
Wilfred Viau's Omar Khayyam, for
which $4,000 was recently refused,
despite his defeat by Hourless, since
broken down, in the sensational match
consistent three-year-old of 1917 to
say the least. If Hourless did beat
him under track conditions that fav-
cred the Belmont colt and after the
latter had been carefully prepared for
this one titanic trial, it must also be
remembered that Omar accepted the
: issue after strenuous campaign,
which in the minds of many had left
him just trifle staler than his record
breaking conqueror. Neither must it
be forgotten that earlier in the year,
under conditions quite the reverse of
those whica prevailed at Laurel, Omar
Khayyam had shown up the Belmont
colt in unmistakable fashion.
Omar Khayyam, if not the champion
of champions, is real race horse, one
which is up to a wonderful perform
ance under any and all conditions
For this very reason he is likely to
the aged Roamer in the Metropolitan
to-day. But Jack Hare. Jr.. at the
weights and on a fast track is quite
capable of giving Omar Khayyam just
such surprise as Hourless handed
him in the match race at Laurel last
autumn.
Omar khayyam, which will carry top
weight Of 40 pounds in this mile test
comedies seventeen pounds to Jack
is whether or not the stout-hearted
colt of Wilfred Viau is able to do SO
That is TIE sort of question that makes
horseracing. In the opinion of the
writer he cannot, if the track is fast.
Jack Hare, Jr., at Jamaica last week,
over q heavy track finished third to
Motor Cop and Flags. Those who saw
the race were OF the opinion that the
Preakness winner did not do himself
believed ae was in as spectator for
fact remains that Jack Hare, Jr., has
been to the race very frequently of
late, and under such conditions there
is always the possibility of staleness.
Since the Preakness Jack Hare, Jr.,
has had an opportunity to keep at that
fine form whic: returned him a winner
at Pimlico. If he is up to the Freak
yam and Roamer this afternoon
Roamer Always Dangerous
Roamer is always dangerous, though
those of his age, as rule, do not
usually round into form SO early as
pounds, FIVE pounds less than must be
shoudered by Jack Hare, Jr. Omar
khayyam should be able to concede
this weight. Wherefore Roamer fg-
ures no better than third at best. The
rest of the field, with tae possible ex-
ception of Westy Hogan, does not
figure. And Westy Hogan, in the six
iurlongs California lightweight Handi-
cap of Saturday, seemed anything but
up to his best racing form.