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FLYING TORPEDOS WHEELER. Louis Ezell sprung a big surprise at Washington Park yesterday when his gelding Flying Torpedo, by Hanover Gypsy, won the Wheeler Handicap in a desperate last eighth drive by a short head from Lucien Appleby. Flying Torpedo was completely overlooked by the talent and public alike, being held at 15 to 1 in the betting. Aladdin was made the favorite at 3 to 1, but after showing a promising race for a little over a mile, fell away a badly beaten colt. To a good start Otis, as was expected, rushed to the front closely attended by Odnor and Wild Pirate and the rest of the field well bunched. There was little shifting in positions until well into the backstretch, where Flying Torpedo dashed to the lead and opened a gap of two lengths which he maintained until well into the last quarter, where Lucien Appleby closed up on even terms with him. The two fought it out keenly all through the last eighth, Flying Torpedo proving the stronser and passing under the wire a head in front. Wild Pirate finished third twelve lengths back. Otis ceased to be a contender just after passing into the last quarter; and the same may be said of Aladdin. Odnor was right there for a mile. Wyeth was hopelessly beaten off all the way. Argregor appeared anchored with his 122 pounds impost and never gave his backers the slightest hope during the struggle. The stake was worth ,190 to the winner. Odnor and Sardonic were added starters, Orontas and Inspector Shea having been scratched. The tabled history of the Wheeler Handicap is as follows : Year. Horse. Wt. Strs. Value Time. 1890 Teuton 120 11 ,900 2:064 1891 Ban Chief 115J4 10 7,130 2:06and 1892 Van Buren 105 11 7.480 2:06 1893 Morello ....117 9 6,880 2:05 1894 Yo Tambien 123 5 5,785 2:06and 1898 Algol.. 107 10 4,00 2:044 1900 The Roman 104 8 4,315 2:04?i 1901 Pink Coat. 118 12 8,385 2:04 1902 Flying Torpedo 110 11 8,190 2:20 Copious scratching in The Lake View Handicap reduce1? the field of thirteen acceptances to seven. Gallant Smith, on his known liking for a heavy track, was made favorite, but ran an ignominious last and was beaten off all the way. John W. Schorrs good colt, Gold Bell, against which as good as 10 to 1 could be had at one time, proved an easy winner, moving up fast when well straightened for home and passing the field with ease. He won as his rider pleased by six lengths from Wat-kins Overton, which beat Tom Cogan one for second place. Tom Cogan led by a big margin until in the final quarter, but tired rapidly in the run for home and was outstayed by Watkins Overton for second placn in the last sixteenth struggle. Albemarle ran well for a half mile. Claude appeared to have a good chance when opposite the last eighth post, but tired badly when the pinch came. The stake was worth ,560 to the winner. The tabled history of the stake is as follows: Year. Horse. Wt. Strs. Value. Time. 1886 Terra Cotta 95 S 1,835 1:1614 1887 Emperor of Norfolk ..118 10 2.285 1:16?4 1888 Havillah 100 10 2,715 l:18?i 18S9 Cameo 103 10 3,330 1:15 1890 Palfiena 110 11 2,895 1:15 1891 Yo Tambien 105 9 3,260 1 :14J4 1892 King Leo 121 12 3,775 1:15 1893 Roy el Santa Anita ...105 13 4,865 1:15 1894 Gath ICO 12 4,110 1:18? 1901 Rosewar 100 4 2,170 l:13?f, 1902 Gold Bell ... Ill 7 2,560 1:22 Rheta simply spreadeaglod her field in the days opener, a dash of five furlongs for two-year-olds, winning eased up by three lengths from Sheriff Bell,-which finished three and a half before Esherin for second place. Brixton, a rank outsider in the betting, took the second race, a six furlongs dash, with consummate ease. "Lucky" Baldwins Eecalante opened up a gap of five lengths in the first half and appeared to have a good winning chance when turning for home, but when well straightened out ho tired and quit badly, allowing Brixton to pass him with a bound. In the last eighth Brixton kept gradually drawing away, finally winning by six lengths from Martin Burke, which beat Escalante the same distance for second place. Martin Burke closed up ground in the last quarter and finished strongly. Moabina. the favorite, was never a serious contender and ran far below her best form. Henry of Trastamare was much the best in the fifth race. He suffered George Whitney to run in the lead for the first quarter, but at call when going down the backstretch, shot to the front with a rush and f airlyran away from the field winning by three and one-half lengths from Chorus Boy, which beat George Whitney a half for second place. The last race of the meeting went to Ed Adack, an outsider, which won in a romp by five lengths from Star Cotton, with Peat a fair third. C. B. Campbell, the favorite, ran well for six furlongs and then fell away badly beaten. The usual large crowd, augmented by the half-holiday element, was on hand to the measure of 25,-000 spectators and, despite the inclement conditions, witnessed an excellent days sport. The track was sloppy and heavy and was very trying on the endurance of the horses.
