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GOOD AND PLENTY A PUBLIC IDOL. It is doubtful it there ever lias been a crosscountry horse more generally popular than was Good and Plenty, Thomas Hitchcock, Jr.s giant son of Itossington and Famine, which was humanely destroyed at Westbury last Thursday. The last appearance of Good and Plenty under colors was when be won a pnrse race through the lield at Hrighton Heach July 22. That was to be his trial for tlie Brighton Steeplechase, which was run live days later. He seemed to come out of the race in fairly good condition and it was remarked then that lie had come back to himself aud might go on for further greatness. His general and complete breakdown followed the race, though it was not apparent while he was on the track. It was decided not to start him in tlie Hrighton, but be had several engagements at Saratoga and he was taken to the farm mid an attempt was made to fit him there. It was futile anil within a very short time tlie tendons of both bis forelegs were in such a bad condition that be could sea rely carry his weight. Then followed the consultation and his ultimate destruction. Good and Plenty was seven years old and made his lirst appearance on the turf as a steeplechaser and as a four-year-old. He was not raced as a two-year-old nor as a three-year-old. His first racing effort was at Hrighton Heach July 11, 1901, and on that occasion he finished a good second to Walter Cleary. That was the only time he was beaten through the field until this season. In bis first year lie won eight races, which included the Westbury, and wound up with the winning of the Champion at Morris Park. In 1905 he only started twice, but he won on both occasions, taking down the New York-Steeplechase aud the Whitney Memorial. That was tlie inauguration or the Belmont Park cross-country feature and the following year, 190G, Good and Plenty was agaiu returned the winner. In 1900 lie only raced through the lield three times, and in addition to the Whitney Memorial he won the National and an overnight race. There was a doubt last winter whether he would be brought to the post this season, but trainer Kiernan, by nursing his bad legs along, had him ready for a start at Helmont Park May 11 and he failed for the lirst time over the obstacles since Walter Cleary hail beaten him in his maiden start. It was Coligny that beat him, but the old horse was a good second and there was a hope that he would train on soundly. He was next sent out in a race on the Hat aud finished last. Then El Cuchillo defeated him for the Empire State and next he finished second to T. S. Martin in the third running of the Whitney Memorial. From being unbeaten for three seasons bis last brought only one victory, but it was the last time he was to be seen under silk and when the nature of his unsoundness was made apparent so shortlv aer the running it would suggest that his last race was his best. It was his courage and that alone that permitted him to leave the turf with a victory for hia last racing effort.
