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CLERK CAUSES TROUBLE. FORGETS TO POST WITHDRAWAL OF ALTUDA FROM FIFTH RACE. Layers Hake Longs Filly Favorite and Betting Progresses for Ten Minutes Cavanagh Orders All Money Wagered on Altuda Refunded. Saratoga, N. Y., August 24. The failure of the clerk of the scales to properly post the withdrawal of Altuda from the fifth race caused a deal of excitement and trouble In the betting ring today, to say nothing of the disarrangement of the original books of the layers. The layers began business on the fifth race In the belief that Altuda would be a starter and she was at once made the favorite. For ten minutes the betting progressed with thousands being sent in on George J. Longs filly. At this stage the surprising announcement wqp made that .Altuda would not start and that she had been withdrawn at 3:20 oclock. The ring was immediately thrown Into a panic, business suspended and the greatest excitement prevailed throughout the entire enclosure. A mob of anxious bettors, who bad backed the favorite, Immediately sought out ring manager Cavanagh and demanded the return of their money. Mr. Cavanagh, following an established precedent, acted promptly and notified each bookmaker to refund all wagers made on Altuda. The independent layers acquiesced wltbout a murmur, but the members of the Metropolitan Turf Association demurred and on their own account declared all bets off. Secretary Eurloeker, acting temporarily as clerk of the scales In place of Algernon Dalngerfield, who bad assumed these duties, with the retirement of C. Cornehlseh, who Is 111, explained that William Kairi, assistant clerk of the scales, whose duty It was to post the declarations, bad failed to do so. For the first time in ten days ideal weather conditions prevailed. The track, however, had suffered from recent -frequent wettings and proved unexpectedly deep and uncertain. The Seneca Selling Stakes, at six furlongs for three-year-olds, was the only stake fixture that adorned a fairly attractive card of six races. In this H. B. Duryea scored another of bis rare successes with tbe improving Ben Strome colt, Ben Ban, which in the race showed himself to be improving and capable of beating a better class of horses than opposed him today. The opening handicap at seven furlongs far overshadowed the stake feature in both Interest and Importance. The best sprinters in training were here engaged, including Tiptoe", Sir Lynnewood, Inquisitor, Aeronaut, Peter Sterling and others. August Belmonts grand filly won a brilliant race all the way, with the lightly weighted Sir Lynnewood a close second and the improving Sir Russell a fast coming third. Inquisitor throughout held a mean position on the inside, where the exceedingly deep footing anchored him. The crack western colt, Peter Sterling, finished running two feet to the leaders one and, notwithstanding that he ran no better than fifth, his effort evoked expressions of approval from the critics. Sonoma Belle, which is showing a return to her Tery best form of a season or two ago, won the mile aud three-sixteenths selling easily from a baud of moderately fast platers. Maey Jr., the favorite, was the victim of such an exceedingly bad looking ride that it attracted the attention of almost every observant spectator on the grounds. Charlatan has not yet come into ills own. He will in due time with the advent of the customary hood adornment, for Instance. Miller rode the Gum horse today for all there was in him. He displayed plenty of speed, but sulked when called upon in the stretch. Some sterling youngsters met in the handicap at five and a half furlongs. Montgomery, -with Miller In the saddle, was suddenly transformed Into a probable stake horse. His victory was the easiest kind imaginable and many declared the Pessara colt to be In the same class with Fountalnblue. Hickory, the full brother of the noted Eugenia Burch, was a hot tip, but performed disappointingly. Tommy Griffins Eudora won the fifth race. A lot of money was lost on Dulcinea. The downfall of the .odds-on favorite, Johnstown, in tbe closing race for maidens, at a mile, capped the climax to a very unsatisfactory days racing, particularly to jockey Millers large army of adherents. The Cincinnati horseman, H. M. Ziegler, scored Ills second victory of the season with Royal Scot, which carried a big stable commission at lucrative odds.
