New-York tribune., 1918-06-17
Racing To-day
Shifts Back
To Jamaica
Fourteen High-Class Thor
oughbreds Named for Ex-
celsior Handicap Feature
By w. ]. Macbeth

By w. ]. Macbeth
The racing scene to-day shifts back
to the Metropolitan Jockey Clubs pop
ular Jamaica track, where the perform
ances Of the thoroughbreds may be
followed closely all the way without
the aid of field glasses. If any argu-
ment were necessary to prove the pop
ulerity Of this course with owners and
trainers convincing rebuttal might
be furnished in the fact that no less
than 104 entries have been named for
the six events of to-day's opening of
the second spring meeting at Jamaica.
Just how Mars Cassidy will ever han
die some of the fields unless there are
many scratches is problem which the
tulure alone can unravel. No less
than thlrty-two have been named for
the SECOND race alone, while the fifth
race has prospective field of an even
score.
The Excelsior Handicap Of $4,000, at
mile and sixteenth, which will fur
nlsh the fourth event of the card, will
brlng together no less than fourteen
OF the best seasoned horses in train
ing These fourteen will be piloted by
the very best jockeys in the East
Commodore J. X. L. Ross's Cudgel,
which proved disappointment in the
Suburban, as we'll as the equally disap-
pointing Spur, will be seen again in
TINS afternoon's classic. Lyke, who
rode Cudgel to victory in the Kentucky
Handicap, but who, because of illness,
was forced to give way to Knapp in
the Suburban, will be up on Cudgel The
tact that Lyke knows how to get every
one may send Cudgel to the post the
favorite. Spur will be ridden by
Schuttinger. Cudgel has been assigned
top weight at 12S pounds; Spur is in
nine pounds lighter. The other en-
tries, with their weights and jockeys,
follow:
Good Horses and Best Jockeys
100 q. Loftus); Ed Roche, 1O5 I'M,
Rowan; Boster ss g. Rodriguez) ~ !;
Corn Tassel, 1O7 (J. McTaggart); Kali
itan, l12 ON. Buxton); Old Koenig. ia
Of. Robinson) Trophy, 90 (H. Erick-
SOM; George Smith, 1T (W. Kelsey;
Flittergold, los (BalD; Priscilla Null
lens, 104 &C. Kummer); Fairy Wand,
1O2 o.. Ensor). There is a possibility
that Drastic will also face the issue.
If so, Jockey G. Walls will have the
mount.
Racing solons of the East are some
what perturbed over the report that the
Kentucky State Racing Association,
which controls the sport in the "Blue
Grass" region, is considering the aban-
donment of tests in that locality until
after the close of the war.
SnCh an attit,1Io cop co,rooI,x J. .~.
ceived of here. The success which has
attended racing in the metropolitan
circuit so far in 1918 has been more
than f1attering. Interest continues to
increase daily. Far from any govern
ment opposition the Administration
has indeed lent every encouragement
to the sport, realizing the necessity of
improving blood strains for remount
purposes.
Major August Belmont, president of
the Jockey Club, expressed the opinion
that the Kentucky Racing Association
would make grave mistake by dis
continuing tests at the present time.
Horse breeding has become the great
chief incentives for which the racing
OF the Kentucky circuit furnished.
The Eastern circuit is aready congested
with thoroughbreds, and Kentuckians
are the ones who will directly suffer
through fle suspension of racing ac-
tivities there.
Visitors to Aqueduct on the opening
day of the spring meeting next Mon
day will see vastly improved racing
plant. Perhaps the greatest improve
ment has come in the form of new
club house, built on the site of the for
lner structure, which was utterly in
adequate to meet the demands of Aque-
duct patrons on a Brooklyn Handicap
day or any other big feature. In place
three story house of stucco with
every comfort for guests. The res
taurant, bar and lavatores are on the
second floor and no expense has been
spared in their equipment and decora-
tion. On the third floor special quar-
ters have been provided for women pa
irons, with parlor and retiring rooms
furnished lavishly in a subdued shade
OF brown. An attractive feature of the
new building is mansard roof from
which patrons may view steeplechases
The lawn in front Of the club house
has been concreted for a width OF
twenty feet, after which turf forms q
pleasing relief to the eye. Members
duQ tuSlI SQCoto Will III Luc 1QtATt
reach the club house by means of ar
overhead stairway direct from the new
landing place for automobiles to tht
right of the main entrance. splendid
new cinder driveway and ornate brick
and cement posted entrance improve
the property immensely. The paddock
has been enlarged.
The course itself, long regarded one
of the best in the United States, il
ready for a record breaking test. It IL
now in the care of Superintendent
James Brennan, who has been con
nected with the Brooklyn Jockey Clu}
for twenty-five years. Mr.. Brennan
grew up under Ben Brush and Jane.
Dunphy, former superintendents a
Gravesend. He will fll the bill at this
course as we'll as Aqueduct under ths
new arrangement.
-----------------ess