The sun., 1918-08-24
TWO MORE RECORDS
SET AT SARATOGA
Pigeon Wing and Polymelian
Eclipse Track Marks in
Sprint Races.
Special Despotcs TO Tax Sun.

Special Despatch to THE Sun.
SARATOGA. Aug 23.-Although two
track records were surpassed and an
Other equalled the feature this after
noon at the race course here was the
reception accorded Johnny Lotus on his
return to the saddle. Harry Payne
Whitney's brown nlly Pigeon Wing ran
ftye furiongs in the first race in 81 As
seconds, clipping one-nfth OF second
from the record made by Eternal last
week. Then PolYmclian. the renowned
Splinter owned by w. r. Coe. m the
Luserne lightweight Handicap and with
40 pounds up covered six furlongs in
10 2-5. equalling the figures set by
Lieut.. Raymond Belmont's Jyntee yes
terday. An hour later r. L. Ahles's
aged bay geldine Little Nearer, with
Johnny Lotus In the saddle. clipped
three and two-hfth. seconds from the
track mark for one mile and hve-six-
teenths, going the distance in 2:132-5.
Each record performance received fer
vent applause, but the ovation accorded
the horses was mild compared to that
showered on Lotus when he made nis
temperance on the track.
The noted Jockey, who Is employed
by A. X. Macomber, had been ION the
ground" for three months for bad stable
manners" Mr.. Macomber lifted the ban
on his famous rider yesterday. He ex-
pected- to Eide his employers Hand Gre
made In the Sycamore to-day. but when
Walter jennings. trainer of the Macom-
Der string, withdrew that colt Tom
Welsh. who has charge OF the thoroush-
breds owned by Joseph r. widener. en-
gagged him to ride Naturalist. Long be-
fore the names OF the riders were placed
on the board the report that LOTUS was
to ride circulated through the stands
and clubhouse, and the announcement
caused ripple OF excitement. When
the popular little Jockey appeared on the
track riding Naturalist shout arose.
Thunderous applause greeted him as he
guided his mount at the head Of the
parade past the spectators, and II did
not cease until the Jockey dotted his
cap two or three times. 1t was a won
derful tribute to a great and honest
rider.
Naturalist Bolts to Rail.
Johnny had no luck on Naturalist.
While in a contending position and ne.
rioNsly threatening Fairy Wand. the
paeemaker, at the head of the stretch,
Naturalist bolted to the outer rail. To
prevent his charge from going into II
the Jockey had to pull w almost to a
walk. This cost Naturalist dozen
lengths. but the great rider remained
undaunted and rode desperately to the
finish. but the best he could do was to
land Naturalist third. behind Sunny
Slope and Fairy Wand. which finished
first and second respectively.
In the NEXT race Johnny rode Little
Nearer. This old gelding was badly
beaten last time out, and even a host
Of Loftus's friends would not wager on
him. But Johnny made him run. He
kept the sluggish and lazy old fellow
close up to the leaders during the early
part Of the race, and In the home stretch
went to work with whip and heels. It
was one OF the best finishes of the sea-
son and landed Little Nearer home first,
length ahead of Conduit, the favorite.
AS LOTUS returned to the scales he
was greeted with another round of ap-
plause.
Polymelian Great Splinter.
The race Of Polymelian was almost
phenomenal. This great colt, which has
recently been III, carried l4O pounds and
ran like Roseben. After a long delay
at the post he got away very badly and
before an eighth OF mile had been
covered seemed beaten. Jockey McAtee
then got him into his stride and chased
the leaders. but did not try to rush him
to the front. He allowed his mount 10
step along freely. but not at his best.
This move had the desired effect. II
gradually brought Polymelian closer to
the leaders and reserved some of his
speed for the dash through the home
stretch.
When straR ftened out McAtee gave
him one lash with the whip. The colt
responded splendidly and closed on the
leaders. At the final sixteenth pole he
had his head in front and increased this
lead to a length at the finish. Old
koenig was second and George Starr
third.
Vindex. a big colt owned by Harry
Payne Whitney. defeated a large field
Of two-year-o,ds in the last race in such
impressive style as to warrant the be-
lief he will achieve more honors. He
raced Different Eyes into submission
during the first half mile and won
handily.