New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-01
Leonardo I'd
Wins Hopeful
Stakes at Spa
McC lelland's Great Two
Yc.,r-Old Colt Defeats
Crack Field i'm Fast Time
By w. 7. Macbeth

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y, Aug.
al. W. McClslland's great two-year-
old colt, Leonardo I'd, earned a niche
in the thoroughbred hall Of fame by
winning the Hopeful Stakes here this
afternoon. Leonardo did everything
that could be expected of real
thoroughbrsd-to win out in one Of the
most exciting two-yaar-old races OF
the season. He galloped over a track
that was Of the consistency of
putty to the good time Of 1912 2-6 for
the six furlongs. He answered a vieor-
Gus challenge as a real thoroughbred
is expected to answer.
And still, good colt as he is, Leon
ardo I'd, winner Of the 1920 Hopeful,
was not the best two-year-old in tho
race. Nothing but proverbial Whitney
luck prevented Pruderv from walking
cit with all the glery and most of the
com attached to this richest classic Of
the season for the twe-ycar- Odds. Prud-
cry, running over the field at the end.
was 6eaten by inches only at the wire
yef Livingston's Oriois was as close to
Prudery as Prudery was to victory.
Ihls years running of the Hopeful
was one Of the greatest races white
man ever saw. The Hopeful vies with
the Futurity in turf sentiment. Its
winning, as in the Futurity, figures
InnIEhly IN the championship award Of
the two-year-old division. Rich in
racing sentiment, it is also rich in
monetary values-the richest of the
season, in fact. Leonardo I'd added
S33,35o to his winnings by annexine
the hnest stake of the season.
Splendid Field Completes
Mixed sentiments of commercialism
ana sport assured the finest two-year-
ola hald that had gone to the races this
season: Every owner who nominated
candidate for the rich prize shot with
the best he had. Though heavy rains
had left the track uncertain fifteen of
the original eighteen named went to
the post. }. h. l.. Ross. who had named
no less than four, scratched Registrar
and Sailing B. Whitney withdrew
Ararat from his four nominations. The
rest all took chance.
Sonsiderlng the fact that he had a
Geld OF fifteen skittish juveniles, Mars
Cassidy must be credited with having
given a good start. Which fact great
~ favored the rail horses. Oriole and
Leonardo II broke almost together
and in the first 100 yards pulled two
lengths ahead Of tno pack. Walter ].
S sai1 Step Lightly, which had the
ously at the post. An assistant start
er had her by the head when the bar
! rier was sprung. She quickly raced
un to the leaders along the rail when
! turned loose, but Ball found himself
| pccketed and pinned on the heavy 20.
ing of the rail by Leonardo ii and
None of the Whitney horses got off
well. Exodus, a slow beginner, was
1851 IN the shuttle in his inside posi-
ton. Prudery, on the outside, was
SLOW to get under way and was carried
wide all around the turn. Meanwhile
Leonardo II, cutting out terrific
pace, opened lead Of two lengths on
, Orole as he sped round the turn.
Smoke Screen had joined issue with
step Lightly and was giving this good
!llly all she could do.
Leonardo II in the Lead
with Leonardo II still length and
a half to the good and looking an
easy winner all over. Oriolc seemed
the only contender there, with Step
Lightly and Smoke Screen fighting it
out Tor the consolation end of the
purse. Down the long stretch they
came in this order. with the bir crowd
roofing like mad for the pacemaker
The MeClelland and Whitney stables
were practically even favorites.
and then the greatest filly of the
season made her game and gallant
challenge. As Ambrose Strengthened
! nsr out for the run home Prudcry was
IN sixth position, at least ten lengths
behind the pacemakers. Sho came
home as quickly as a thundarbolt. as
irresistible as the tide.
At the sixteenth pole the mighty
Leonardo II began to falter from TIL.
pace. Oriole was stopping, too. So
was Step Lightly. Smoke Screen had
already been raced dizzy and had fallen
back. away back. in the rvek. But or
came this irresistible Whitney flly,
conrageeusly as Man O. War at hia