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. . . ..-.. . . , Till SULLIVANS DR. GARDNER, BAY COLT, 4, BY B ANNO CXBURN UARD A, THE MISSOURI-BRED RACEHORSE WHICH MAY BE CHAMPION MILER. I Doctor Gardner is one of the racing disappointments of the year. Great things were expected from him last spring and one gentleman of decided influence in the affairs of the eastern turf, official handicapper Vosburgb, thought so well of. him that he clapped weight on him in the big handicaps of the year that made him out to be about the best four-year-old in the United States. . When he took up 123 pounds and gave Glorlfier eight pounds and an easy beating in the Excelsior Handicap at Jamaica last April, it seemed that he was destined to meet the expectations cherished about liim by his admirers, but he failed dismally subsequently. It was more Dr. Gardners misfortune than his fault that he failed. That lie is a horse of tremendous speed Is amply established. He carries high weight admirably and has on more occasions than in the Excelsior ran like a stayer. But an injury to one of his legs early in the season put him on the shelf for repairs. When he came out again, lie seldom failed to show his well known brilliant speed, but only for sprinting distances and the conclusion is forced that lie has not fully recovered. It may be reserved for hira to re-establish himself in the regard of eastern patrons of racing at Belmont Park, Jamaica and Aqueduct: Dr. Gardners first start this year was in a six and a half furlongs purse at Aqueduct, April 10. He had up 12C pounds and ran away from Heaslip, Marsler, Tommy Wnddell and Avaunteur in 1:21. His next essay brought defeat. This wns in a teveu furlongs dash April 22. in which, with 127 pounds up, lie ran third to Athlete, 102, and Orphan Lad, 100. He was a 2 to 5 favorite and after leading most of the way, lie unexpectedly tired .ami., was beaten a length and a half in l:26g. This surprising defeat chilled the ardor of his admirers greatly and when he started in the Excelsior Handicap at - Jamaica four days later he was at the liberal price of 7 to 1. There Tvas a big field of fourteen, the -weights being. Dr. Gardner, 123. niiirilter, 115, Cairngorm, 115. Philander. 100, Okenite, 90, W. II. Carey. 110, Don Diego, 107, J. C. Core, 99. Dolly Spanker. 112, Kings Daughter, 10S, Samuel II. Harris, 10G, Berkeley, 02, Good Luck, 111! and Oxford, 117. Dr. Gardner got off tenth, bnt was on the outside and they had not gone far until he was out in front and there stayed to the end, winning easily from Glorifier by a length and a half, with Cairngorm third, two lengths further back. The mile and a sixteenth was run In 1:4S. This was a fine performance in all respects and indicates that if Dr. Gardner had remained sound and in good form, his career this year might have been vastly different. The record of his performances to date is: Year. Sts. 1st. 2d. 3d. Unp. Won. 1005 15 0 3 0 3 $ 5,705 1000. 10 10 1 1 4 10,400 1007 13 4 1 3 5 11,070 Total 44 23 5 4 12 7,SG5
