The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-08-24
JOHNNY LOFTUS RIDES A LOSER
 AND A WINNER
Popular Jockey, Back in Saddle for First Time in Three Months, Fails to Justify the Hopes of Ma turalist's Backers.

Saratoga, Aug. 24-Although two track records were surpassed and another equalled the feature yester- day afternoon at the race course here was the reception accorded Johnny Loftus on his return to the saddle. Harry Payne Whitpey's brown lilly Pigeon Wing ran five furlongs in the first race in 57 4-5 seconds, clipping one-fifth of a second from the record made by Eternal last week. Then Polymeltan, the renowned sprinter owned by W. R. Coe, in the Luzerne lightweight Handicap and with 40 pounds up, covered six furlongs in 1:1O 2-5, equalling the figures set by Lieut.. Raymond Belmont's Jyntee Thursday. An hour later R. L. Ashles aged bay gelding Little Nearer, with Johnny Loftus in the saddle, clipped 8 2-5 seconds from the track mark for one mile and five sixteenths, going the distance in 2:132-5.
 Each record performance received fervent applause, but the ovation ac- corded the horses was mild compared to that showered on Loftus when he made his reappearance on the track.
 The noted jockey, who is employed by A. K. Macomber had been lon the ground" for three months for "bad stable manners" MT. Macomber lift ed the ban on his famous rider Thursday. He expected to ride his em- ployer's Hand Grenade in the Saga more yesterday, but when Walter Innings, trainer of the Macomber string, withdrew that colt. Tom Welsh, who has charge of the thor oughbreds owned by Joseph E. Wid- ener, engaged him to ride Naturalist. Long before the names of the riders were placed on the board the report that Loftus was to ride circulated through the stands and clubhouse, and the announcement caused a rip pie of excitement. When the popular little jockey appeared on the track Naturalist a shout arose. Thunderous l applause greeted him as he guided his mount at the head of the parade past the spectators, and it did not cease until the jockey doffed his cap two or three times. It was a wonderful | tribute to a great and honest rider. Johnny had no luck on Naturalist. l While in Uontending position and seriously threatening Fairy Wand, the | pacemaker, at the head of the stretch, i Naturalist bolted to the outer rail. To prevent his charge from going into it the jockey had to pull up almost to a walk. This cost Naturalist a 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 Sun ny Slope and Fairy Wand, which fin ished 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'B friends would not wager on him. But Johnny made him run He kept the sluggish and lazy old fel- low close up to the leaders during the early part of the race, and in the
 home stretch went to work with whiI and heels. It was one of the best fin ishes of the season and landed Little Nearer home first, length ahead o1 Conduit, the favorite
 | As Loftus returned to the scales he was greeted with another round o1 applause.
 The race of Polymelian was almost phenomenal. This great colt, which has recently been i'll, carried 14( bounds and ran like a Roseben. Af. ter long delay at the post he got away very badyy and before an eighth of mile had been covered seemed
 beaten. Jockey McAtee then got hin into his stride and chased the leaders but did not try to rush him to tht front. He allowed his mount to steI along freely, but not at his best. This move had the desired effect. It grat ually brought Polymelian closer to tht leaders and reserved some of hi
 speed for the dash through the home stretch.
 When strengthened out McAtee gave
 him one lash with the whip. The col responded splendidly and closed or
 the leaders. At the final sixteenth
 pole he has his head in front and in creased this lead to length at the finish. Old Koenig was second anG George Starr third.
 | Vindex. a big colt owned by Harry
 Payne Whitney, defeated a large fielt
 of two-year-olds in the last race 1T such impressive style as to warran
 the belief he will achieve more hon. ors. He raced Different Eyes into
 submission during the first half mile and won handily.
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