The sun., 1918-08-25
ROAMER Is WORTHY
OF RACING GROWN
Great Gelding's Wrecking Of
Salvat0r's Record Stirs
Turf World.
BILLY KELLY A FIND
Bought for So, 800, He Is Sold
for $4,000 and Becomes
Leading Juvenile.
BILLY KELLY A FIND

phenomenal speed displayed by the
thoroughbreds this season has startled
even the NEST optimistic lovers Of the
sport In former years It vas an
extraordinary event to smash a track
record. but ancient figures have been
toppled over SO frequently this year
that anything less than the breaking
OF an American mark passes almost
unnoticed.
During the three months that the
blue bloods have been racing in this
State scores of records have been
obliterated. Among them were several
that stood the test OF years. While
every track saw some records beaten
II is at Saratoga, where the sport IL
now in full swing. that record breaking
performances are almost q daily &C.
currence.
The Spas lightning fast track. which
william Meyer. the erstwhile pugilist.
built last winter. has enabled thorough
breds TO step along at q pace which
hitherto seemed impossible. Selling
platers are running over the course like
champions and championship contend
ers are displaying speed which a year
ago would have been considered un-
canny.
At the top Of the list of record break
ers stands the most popular horse on
the American turf. He Is Roamer, the
little seven-year-old gelding belonging
TO Andrew Miller. Last Wednesday he
accomplished a feat which made his
name echo throughout the world. He
lowered the one mile figures of :35h.
established by the immortal Salvador
twenty-eight years ago. to IA AS.
Made Record Unpaced.
The famous son of knight Errant and
Rose Tree I'd not only bettered Saliva
tors American record but ran the rec
ord breaking mile under conditions more
unfavorable than did Salvador. The
Monmouth Park. N. J., track, over which
Salvador accomplished his feat. may not
have been as fast as that at the Spa,
where Roamer performed. but Salvador
ran over a straight course and was paced
the entire distance. Roamer ran his
memorable trial unpaced and around two
turns. According to veteran horsemen
who saw both contests Mr.. Miller's geld
Ing was the stronger at the finish.
Roamer's record breaking performance
gave him undisputed possession Of the
championship crown. He had previously
earned the coveted title, and his one
mile record studs 1t with its most hand
some Jewel. Commander Ross's mighty
Cudgel might defeat the little fellow be-
fore the end of the season. but such a
defeat would not deprive Roamer OF his
right to rule as king OF the turf. He
already has beaten Cudgei. and for
Commander Ross's colt to turn the tables
would make no change In the turf stand
ing. "... .N"
Never was there>a more popular mon
arch of the turf than Roamer. He is
loved by all racegoers. He earned his
popularity by five years of great and
consistent racing. Twice before he
adorned the throne. In 1914 he was in
class by himself. and as a four-year-
old he retained the coveted honor That
he did not keep IL permanently was due
TO illness. II the winter of 1916 he
was stricken with n fever that threat
ened to end his brilliant career. During
the entire month Of February Of that
year his temperature lowered about the
100 mark, and for several days 1t stood
~ los. But the sturdy little fellows
wonderful constitution withstood the or
deal and early April saw him back in
training.
1t was that training and a subsequent
gruelling race in the Kentucky Handi-
cap that deprived him of his kingly hon.
ors They came too soon after his i'll
ness and tended to sap both his speed
and strength. They affected him so
much that Mr.. Miller and Jack Colds
borough. his trainer, were led to believe
he would never again return to his won
derful greatness. But superb handling
mad the desired effect Roamer gradu-
ally improved and last year gave Col.
Applegate's Old Rosebud a hard fight
Tor stellar honors. This year he re-
turned stronger and faster than ever and
quickly sped back to the domain he pre-
'lously had ruled.
Roamer was bred in Kentucky by
Woodford Clay and became the property
OF Mr.. Miller at Belmont Park in 1918.
Goidsborough saw him run in a selling
race at Belmont Park and became so
enthusiastic over him that he persuaded
Mr. Miller to buy him. This was done
for the comparatively small sum of
'-.5Oo. 1t proved one of the best bar
gains ever transacted on the turf. I'm
mediately after the sale Mr.. Goldsbor-
olGh shipped him to Saratoga There
the little gelding quickly took on flesh
ana developed a speed which fairly star
Ted his new trainer. A few weeks later
ne won the rich Saratoga Special and
from that day he has been a veritable
gold mine. He has smashed record
after record until his name covers pages
OF turf history and he won stake after
10 more than 100000.
In the oplr ion of expert horsemen he
Is the great t thoroughbred that ever
looked through a bride since the incep-
ton OF racing in America. He Is speedy
and strong hearted. absolutely sound, as
honest as thoroughbred can be and as
gentle as lamb. He Is the king of
turf kings.
Billy Kelly Best Juvenile.
What Roamer Is TO the older horses
Billy Kelly is among the Juveniles. Like
hoamer, Billy Kelly is an unattractive
huIe gelding. In several other ways
ne also resembles Mr.. Miller's cham
plon. He has a world of speed, is
STOUT hearted and can carry weight
S'n'" he came out of the West less
man month ago he has run his way to
the permanent possession of the juvenile
Championship.
While all of his races have been Of
,he Championship kind his performance
IN the Grab Bag Handicap last Tuesday
was tie best Of his career. Under the
crushing impost OF 1876 pounds he de-
'ta'ed the cream OF the Juveniles and In
uoing so travelled over the six furlong
course in the remarkably fast time OF
Ill 90
Billy Kelly was bred by Rome Res
reSS in Kentucky As a yearling w.
ferKins, trainer for W. Poison. bought
nun Tor $4,000. While racing In Mr..
Fo!son's colors he won half dozen
races and In each displayed such tre-
Hletdous speed and courage that fis
Na1i' increased more than tenfold. So