The sun., 1919-05-22
by HENRY ". KING.

BY HENRY ". KING.
thoroughbred which is fond OF racing
IN the mud will be returned the victor
OF the famous Metropolitan Handicap
this afternoon. The track over which 1t
win be run at Belmont Park will be
heavy II II is not sloppy. Yesterday
afternoon It was In wretched condition.
IL was even considered dangerous, and
unless the sun shines brightly this morn
ing and Is accompanied by q strong
wind 1t will be so treacherous that few
horsemen viii take a chance Of racing
their horses over II.
The track was rebuilt during the win
ter. and when II Is dry Is the fastest in
the country. But when It is drenched
as 1t was yesterday by a heavy rainfall
u becomes veritable quagmire-deep
and slippery and treacherous So bad
was It yesterday that many horsemen
stabiing at the course were afraid to
work their charges over II. Those who
did said their thoroughbreds slipped and
noundered about and were unable to
make any pretence at speed. The new
loan which covers its top might dry out
with a warm sun this morning, but the
under soil will remain heavy and wet
and only the mudlarks will be able to
snow their true form over II.
1t seems a pity that the elements
should be so unkind to the event, for II
promised to furnish one Of the greatest
contests in its history and rival in in
terest the best since 1t was first run at
Morris Park in 1891. The Metropolitan
ts the first classic OF the Eastern racing
season. and although Jamaica has had q
good six day meeting 1t Is considered the
real opening of the sport in the Metro
politan district. In former years It has
attracted tremendous crowds including
thousands of fashionables who are not
seen at the other local courses And
to-day will be no exception to the rule.
The sport has taken a firm grip on the
public and every indication points to a
record breaking throng visiting the beau
tiful Long Island course to see the con-
test, irrespective Of the size or quality
of the field in the fixture. Every box
and reservation in the club house has
been sold and society will be out In
force.
Is n Blue Ribbon Event.
The Metropolitan is at one mile, for
three-year-olds and upward. with a
guaranteed cash value of $1,000. 1t is
4 blue ribbon event. and for II seventy
seven noted blue bloods we're nominal
Cd OF these more than half are At and
ready to race, but because Of yester-
days rain only ten were named over
night TO start. They are George w
Lofts Papp, A. X. Macombers Hollis
ter and Star Master. Commander J. X.
l.. Ross Foreground. Richard T. Will
sons Corn Tassel. George D. Wideners
I.anius, S. c. Hildreth's Lucullite, W. r.
Goes Sweep On, Walter NJ Jeffords
Routledge and Joseph E. Widener's
Tromp La Morte
Several Of these are likely to lie with
drawn, but 1t is almost certain that
there will be several added starters
Yesterday afternoon Thomas Welsh.
trainer for George D. Widener, an
nounced that he probably would scratch
Tronp La Morte and substitute the I'm
ported gelding Naturalist and @. c.
wlnfrey. who trains for the Beach sta
Bile, said he probably would send Flags
to go after the rich purse.
Because OF their ability to run fast
and far through the mud Papp and
Naturalist will have the most support
ers. Each Is better over a heavy or
sloppy track than on a fast one uyld
they probably will go to the post EVEN
first choices.
Flags. too. likes the heavy going and
VIII have many friends.- Wagers. most
~ of the sentimental kind, will be
placed on all the others, but they will
he so small and few that the odds on
them are likely to be exceedingly high
Naturalist Top Weight.
Naturalist is top weight at 124
rounds. but this is no burden for him
when he wants to run. He is an ex-
ceedingly fast horse and as said be-
fcre. revels in the sloppy going. But
lie is an erratic fellow, and all the
urging in the world will not make him
run one speck faster than he wants to.
At the Jamaica track yesterday after
noon he was on his good behavior, and
carrying 40 pounds made n smart field
~ sprinters look like platers. He was
not extended at any stage OF the jour
ney, and the race will undoubtedly do
him lot of good and put him.on edge
for to-day's classic.
Papp. too. is fast but cratic He is
n terror at the barrier and usually gets
burst at the webbing or Is left stand
ing still. For that reason he Is not the
best kind of betting proposition.
Flags is fast and is reliable. But his
forte is sprinting. and the one mile
route might prove a tribe too far for
him The others are speedy and the
weights SO nicely adjusted that all would
have good chance IL the track were
dry and fast.
The first cross-country race OF the
season viii precede the Metropolitan. II
is the New York Steeplechase at two
miles. Although the indications are
that the field will be muddy and slip
Lery. eight high class cross country
horses have been named TO start. They
are Walter NJ. Jeffords Babcock, w. II.
Maxwell's Decisive. Herbert L. Pratt's
Trumpator, Morton L. Schwartz's Crest
Hill, Mrs. Payne Whitney's Tetan, Capt.
ltal Parrs Captain Parr and La Mar
souin and ]. 4. Widener's Duettisse.
II all go to the post II will be an
open contest and stirring one. All
have earned fame across country and
zach has been primed for this event.
Trumpator has been assigned top weight
ot 100 pounds and probably will be the
faNorite. Capt. PARIS pair have been
treated generously by the Handicapped
and Will have host of, supporters.
Besides the metropolitan and the New
York Chase there will be four other
vents decided including two for juve-