The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-05-06
by HENRY v. KING.

What promises to be the greatest rae
ing season New York has had since the
repeal of the Percy Gray law in 1905
will begin this afternoon a the Jamaica
track. Within a few miles of the little
Long Island course arc nearly a thou
sand hotroughbreds awaiting the cali
of boots and saddles. Because OF the
omen winter and fine spring nearly All
OF them are fit and eager for the races.
But they are not one whit more
anxious for the contests than are thou
sands and thousands OF men and women
this vicinity who love horse race.
And even though the weather promises
TO resemble that OF November rather
than May it is certain a big crowd will
be present to welcome back the sport
The rain yesterday turned the track
into veritable qua gmre and even II
to-day is clear and balmy there is little
chance of II being fast. As a result
nudlarks will predominant in all of the
contests.
The PaumonolS Handicap, at six fur
longs is the feature of the programme.
II should furnish a keen contest A
dozen good sprinters, each of which can
run well In the mud. have been entered
ana Walter 5. Vosburgh has adjusted
the weights so nicely that every one of
them has more than an outside chance
OF victory
Naturalist Top Weight.
Joseph e. Widener's erratic old geld
Ing Naturalist has top weight. lie will
carry 131 pounds and give from s to 81
POUNDS TO his opponents. Naturalist is
one of the fastest horses in the country
and can shoulder any reasonable amount
or weight. But the old saving that
weight will stop freight train applies
70 him as we'll as any other horse, and
Iol pounds seem to be about his limit
against good horses
He used to be fond OF the mud and
perhaps he is now, but in one race last
season and in two trials this spring he
Iloundered around in sloppy going But
ne has been working well this spring
that is. he has been working as good as
he ever did. He is not a work horse and
all the whips and spurs in the country
won't make him work fast
A mile in ! :43 is remarkable for him.
and that Is the best he has done this
season. In his races 1t is different II
he gets II into his head to scoot away
from his opponents there probably isn't
a horse In the country that can catch
him over a sprint distance
He might win to-days race, and he
might be beaten off. No one knows
what he viii do, even Tom Welsh. the
veteran trainer, who has handled him
since he was yearling. Some expert
horsemen never wager on race in
which he is an entrant. They refuse to
bet on him because Of his bad temper
and are afraid to bet against him.
Nevertheless, he will have a big follow
ing and is sure to go to the DO st one
of the choices
Harry Payne Whitney's DR.. Clark,
which will carry 119 pounds, and George
W. Lofts on Watch, which win shoulder
l26 pounds, are high class colts, which
have been working exceptionally well
and will be hard to beat. On Watch
wound up last season as one Of the best
three year olds In the country. In the
opinion of a host of horsemen only the
invincible Man o. War was his superior.
lie has plenty of early speed. a stout
heart. can travel a cup route and has
won several races in the mud. With
good racing luck he undoubtedly win
play an important part in the race.
Dr.. Clark Has Speed.
Or. Clark has plenty of speed and
has been working like stake winner
ct Jamaica recently. He has had a race
at Maryland to put him on edge and a
victory by him would not be 9. surprise
TO a host of horsemen.
While Naturalist. On Watch and DR..
Clark are preferred to the other entrants
by strict followers of class and per-
forrnances there are several others
which are dangerous. They are Blazes,
Irish Dream and Captain Alcock
Mrs Payne Whitney has her old
Jumper Debadou in the event and he
might spring a surprise. p. A. Clark's
punboyne, winner OF this stake last year.
is also among the entries. He has been
working fairly we'll at Belmont Park
and might spring a surprise by running
to his best form. If he does he prob
ably viii win the race.
Krewer and Lord Broughton have done
all of their work at Harry Sinclairs
private farm in New Jersey. and little
Is known OF their condition. At best
they would not have more than chance
against such field.
F'iigate, with the feathery weight OF
100 pounds, will fly for distance. but
lie has little class. and IS likely to tire
in the stretch.
There Is not much class among the
older horses In the other events and IL
Is not likely any good two-year-olds
tVill IL eapf IN he nnot ~ /. .f1rr..