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CLOSE FINISHES AT HAKLEH. The off-day card offered by the Harlem Jockey Club yesterday was redeemed in a measure by several close and exciting finishes, notably the finishes in the steeplechase and fifth race. In the latter instance Gregor K. and Antagonist were so close together when passing under the wire that none but the judges were in a position to say which had won. The race was given to Antagonist. It was a five furlongs dash for two-year-olds. Musical Slipper, closely pressed by Sarah Maxim, showed the way to the head of the stretch, where the latter began to tire and gradually fell away. About the last eighth Gregor K., which had always been running within easy distance of the leaders, moved up fast and appeared to be an easy winner in the closing strides, but Antagonist, coming with a spirited rush at the end, just got up in time to win by a nose on the post. Watoma finished third two lengths back. Musical Slipper tired palpably when the pinch came. Hindi appeared to have a chance when a furlong out, but failed to respond when the last sixteenth struggle came up. Sarah Maxim was a keen contender for four and a half furlongs. T?j steplnohase oyer the short course yesterday resulted in a spirited struggle down the last eighth between Old Fox and Dagmar, the former outstaying the latter and winning by a nose on the post. Bristol finished third, ten lengths back. Old Fox was at his best, fenced with precision a.id stood a long stretch drive without flinching. Dagmar contested every foot of the journey from the ninth jump with the winner and ran to his best form. Bristol tired in the last eighth. Mazo showed much early speed. Harv B. fell over the last jump. He was running in a contending position when the accident occurred. The days opener, a five furlongs dash, proved an easy thing for Joe Buckley, the even money favorite. Off flying he showed much speed and absolutely played with his field, winning by one and a half lengths from Maxette, which finished three before Florestan for second place. Maxette ran to her best form and is good just at present. Florestan showed to advantage, but tired perceptibly in the last eighth. Wilton ran an .unaccountably bad race. She showed faint early speed, but fell away li.adly beaten when turning for home and finished last. She can do much better when in good form. The second race, a dash of six and a half furlongs, witnessed the downfall of Joe Frey, tne 7 to 5 favorite, which failed to finish inside of the money. The winner turned up in Duelist, which ran in fourth position most of the way and when well into the last quarter moved up fast, winning in the closing strides by two lengths as his rider pleased. Rag Tag finished second, a neck before Money Muss. Bag Tag responded gamely under strong urging and just got up in time to nip Money Muss on the post. The latter as usual displayed speed, but tired fast when a sixteenth from the wire. Joe Frey showed scant speed and was never a serious contender. LEtrenne was right there for five and a half furlongs. Tho distance appeared to be about a sixteenth farther than she cares to go. The talent picked on Elsie L. to win the fourth race, a dash of one mile, but she had to succumb to the well-backed second choice, Talpa, which assumed an easy command after the first quarter had been run and was never afterward headed, winning in a canter by one length. Elsie L. was under keen pressure all through the last eighth, but could not cut down the winners lead. She finished second two lenghts before Hoodwink. The latter ran to her best form, maintaining an even gait throughout. Ethel Wheat ran well for six furlongs, and the same may be said of Lingo. The last raco of the, day, a dash of a mile and seventy yards, resulted in an easy victory for Ar-tena, the even money favorite. Winkfield did not call on her until just before turning for home where she rushed to the lead and easily maintained it through the final quarter, winning by two lengths from Frank M., which beat Captain Gaines a head for second place. Captain Gaines came with a rush at the end. Bab tired fast in the last eighth. Baird showed sudden improvement and was a keen contender for six furlongs. The usual large gathering was present and the track fast.
