The sun., 1918-08-01
RACING SEASON AT
SPA OPENS TO-DAY
Cudgel and ROamcr in the Saf-
atoga Handicap, but Omar
khayyam Is Out.

SARATOGA. n. Y, July 31.--With every
hotel and boarding house filled and two
thousand horses in the barns at tho
track strainlng to get into action, tho
! scene is set for the opening OF the rao
ing season of one month here tomorrow.
There Is every indication that the meet
ing will be one of the most prosperous
In the history Of the sport in this old
racing centre. and that the war will not
dim the lustre Of the sport or the
glory OF the historic Spa.
host OF sportsmen have been hero
for several days awaiting the opening.
Among those already on the ground are
Richard T. Wilson. Jr.. joseph +. Wide
ner, John Sanford, George w. Wldener.
w. r. Coe, Walter J. Salmon. Andrew
Miller, Harry Payne Whitney, Willis
Sharp Kilmer. John e. Madden. Walter
NJ Jeffords, Samuel Riddle. A. A. Reilly.
Wilfred Viau Col. w. Applegate. Robert
| l.. Gerry. f. r. Bradley and George w.
Loft. A. X Macomber. Major August
Belmont. Commander ]. X. L. Ross ana
many other noted followers OF the sport
are due before the end of the week.
CudgeI the Fnvnrite.
Naturally the greatest interest IL CEN
tired in the running OF the Saratoga
Handicap, for which Cudgel, War Cloud
and Roamer are all greatly fancied.
Cudge is at the top of his form. as was
/ shown by recent mile in / :3s 2-5, and
he will be the favorite. He will be rid
den by Lawrence Lyke and will have
his stable companion. the fleet filly
Priscilla Mullens, to make the pace for
him.
War Cloud, by virtue OF his sensa-
tlonal race Mt AQueduct. when he con-
quered Jack Hare, Jr., in time close to
the record for a mile and furlong Is
| the one that is considered the most dan
gerous rival OF the son OF Broomstick.
He has worked n mile around :3s
| within the past week and yesterday
galloped mile and a quarter in 2:1o
over the training ground known as
| oklahoma which Ia about the eQuiva-
lent Of $40 for the regular course.
| Roamer Ia on his toes. His work
yesterday when he galloped mile ana
a quarter in 2oo indicated perfect con-
d!tion. The track was slow from
heavy shower, but the geding breezed
like n champion, He will be ridden by
Harry Dunsford. the Western jockey.
who is one of the riding sensations OF
the season.
| Omar Khayyam will not be seen In
the Saratoga Handicap. as he split
hoof and IL on the retired list. Tho
colors OF wilfrid viau will be borne by
westy Hogan This four-year-old, which
until last autumn, when he won the
Bowie at Pimlico. was considered a
Splinter only, is ready to race for a
kings ransom. His last work for the
race was a mile in :39 AS. Hummer
will be his pilot.
Fine Field in the Flash.
westy Hogan will have friends TO-
morrow. So will Bondage. the champion
tough luck horse Of the American turf.
The steepiechasers, which have not
been in action for some time, will set
going again tomorrow. A fine field
Is entered in the Shillelah Handicap
with Reddest and the Belle OF Bryn
Mawr among them.
The Flash. for two-year-olds. has al
tracted a splendid lot OF juveniles, with
High Time. the record breaker, top
weight. at 127 pounds. The Western
and Southern contlngents sent out tho
word tonight to look out for Billy
Kelly. which is the recognized champion
two-year-old OF the Kentucky circuit.
Billy Kelly ia asked to carry ll9 pounds.
Star Hampton will carry ll6. and there
will be about a dozen others. The en-
tries follow: