view raw text
THE DERBY HORSES. 1 American Derby calculations were com- plicated by the running of the Derby Trial Special at Harlem, yesterday. Perfect con- •ditions favored the event, which was wit- nessed by a gathering that thronged the . stands and overflowed into the field. Sav- j able was conceded to be the winner and was . .stoutly supported at 1 to 2. Some book- . makers who had the temerity to offer 11 to 20 were quickly offered more business than they cared to transact. His admirers and backers predicted that he would never be extended, there would be no semblance of a contest and the race would not be for him good exercise for Saturdays event. He won, but not like a 1 to 2 chance nor any other kind of an odds-on favorite. By the narrow margin of a scant head he managed to reach the goal first, with Linguist second, having a similar advantage over Judge Himes. It was a close and exciting finish that did not arouse enthusiasm. The followers of the favorite were under extreme tension and experienced distressing emotions during the finishing strides. They were astonished, confused, almost dazed by what they beheld and suppressed any expression of their feelings. When the numbers were posted there was an outburst of enthusiasm, but it was more of an expression of relief for a narrow escape than applause for a thrilling equine struggle. There were seven starters. Au Revoir, Manru and Claude declined the issue. Claude would have been under colors had he not been delayed between St. Louis and here. He arrived yesterday morning. The field, which went to the post comprised John A. Drakes Savable, ridden by C. Gray, P. •Cooks Linguist, Dominick wearing the colors, C. R. Ellisons Judge Himes, H. Booker up, J. B. Respess Bernays, piloted by T. Knight, B. J. Cunninghams Gilfain, Henry in the saddle, W. M. Hedges Gregor K., guided by that colored artist "Winkfield, and Edward Corrigans Maxey Blumenthal, astride of which was the famous Johnny Reiff. Bernays was the second choice at 4 and 4 to 5, while from 8 to 20 to 1 was laid against the others. Gray had orders to go to the front with the favorite to avoid accidents or interference. The orders were complied with during the running of the first sixteenth, after which Linguist began forcing the pace and obtained the lead, finishing the odd eighth. As they went around the first turn Linguist showed two lengths in front of the favorite, two open lengths behind which Gregor K. and Gilfain became paired, with Maxey Blumenthal, Judge Himes and Bernays following in open order. On the back-rstretch Savable moved up. Before going five furlongs he passed Linguist and obtained a clear lead. On the upper turn Lin-;guist closed the daylight between himself and the favorite, Gregor K. took third .Judge Himes became fourth, Maxey Blumenthal fifth and Gilfain retired to keep company with Bernays, plodding along as rear guard. After getting into the homestretch Judge Himes closed up with a rush, passed Gregor K. and took sides with Linguist. Savable held an apparently safe lead until he had gone a few yards more than a mile. •Then Linguist and Judge Himes challenged L him and Gray had to begin riding. A six--teenth from the end it looked as if Judge I Himes would win and Savable would be j third, but the Futurity winner answered I vGrays call, made a game struggle to main 1 . j . . L I j I tain the lead and gained a victory when defeat appeared inevitable. Judge Himes must have dwelt a little at the finish. He advanced into a contending position with a seemingly irresistible rush and then failed to head Savable or Linguist in the final rally. Bernays was a poor fourth. He became the leader of the stragglers in the homestretch, but ran disappointingly. Linguist and Judge Himes went on until they had completed a mile and a quarter in 2:08 and 2:08 respectively. Gilfain and Gregor K. worked out the American Derby route in 2:361 and 2:37. The result of the race makes it very probable that the American Derby will be an open event in which a big field will measure strides. "Whether Savable would have done better had he been ridden a waiting race is a debatable question. When he won the Futurity he came from behind, made as strong and resolute a finish as ever thoroughbred made and, after passing a string of speedy two-year-olds, caught Lord of the Vale in the closing strides and beat him on the post. It is not likely the experiment of sending him to the front will be repeated Saturday. Linguist looked like an animal trained for four-mile heats and trotted rather short on his way to the post. It was expected his performance would correspond to what he did Tuesday. His race was a distinct surprise, so much of an improvement over what he did so recently as day before yesterday, with eleven pounds less on his back, that if equal benefit be derived from the Derby Trial, he will certainly be dangerous at Washington Park. The pace was strong for the first three-quarters, for which the official record is 1:131. The mile was timed in 1:40, and the race in 1:53. The last three-eighths occupied 391, which makes it look as if Judge Himes did not finish so strong as his stretch run indicated. As a matter of fact, Savable and Linguist went back to him. The American Derby candidate Triad, owned by W. Frazier, worked a mile and a half at Washington Park yesterday morning in 2:40. Gold Bell, John F. Schorrs candidate, went over the same course in 2:39. The track was muddy on the inside and he traveled . out near the middle the entire distance. He will be a starter if the track should be heavy and may be should it be dry. Flocarlines work at Washington Park Tuesday, was run in 2:37, instead of 2:47, as reported. John Rodegap timed her the mile in 1:415, mile and a quarter in 2:08, and the route a shade under 2:37. He said the track was at least two seconds slow and pronounced the move an excellent one although the Ally finished tired. After the Derby Trial had been run yesterday, Otto Wonderly, who will have the mount on Flocarline Saturday, was " all smiles. "They will have me to beat, and wont beat me unless they do better than that," was what he had to say. Early worked a mile and a half at Haw-thorne yesterday morning and pulled up slightly sore. Pat Dunne says: "The trouble is not serious and he is a very probable • starter." After winning the sixth race at Harlem t yesterday, one mile in l:40i Collonade worked i out an extra quarter and was timed in 2:08. T. Gallagher.
