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SOLDIER MEN ARE POPULAR THE MOUNTED SERVICE CUP PROVES THE HIT OF THE DAY. Firebrands Autumn Amateur Cup Poquess-ing Easily Defeats Graziallo Comedian at Long Odds. Washington, D. C, November 29. Today might rightly be called amateur day at the Washington Jockey Club course, inasmuch as three of the races decided were for amateur gentlemen riders, and In all three of them the gentlemen riding the horses finishing first and second were the recipients of valuable plate donated by the club. The novel feature of army horses running in the fourth race and ridden by attaches of the cavalry and artillery corps of the United States, was the feature which brought out one of the best crowds of the meeting. A large number of army otlicers attended and numerous troopers from Fort Myer, Virginia, came over to cheer the representatives from their respective companies. The running of the race was not only amusing, but interesting and will probably have much to do with putting the sport back into the good graces of society and the public in general, which is naturally fond of racing under favorable conditions. It may be said, as a matter of fact, that racing has received the official endorsement of the war department, in that the Army Mounted Service Cup race today received the approval of that department and was further recognized by the attendance of many of the high military officials. It is not improbable that the race may start a movement for the immediate introduction of the thoroughbred In the army and thevcstablishment of breeding bureaus under the supervision of the government for the improvement of the equine forces of the standing army. Gregg, the winner of the race, is reported to have been sired by Lamplighter and was ridden today by James J. McGrath, who was once an exercise boy for a stable on the New York tracks, but is now a saddler for Troop G. of the Thirteenth Cavalry stationed at Fort Myer. After Oraculum, Alauda, Ardri and Rosimiro, among others, were withdrawn from the first race, which was a highweight handicap for all ages, the public willingly made U. T. Wilson, Jr.s entry favorite, ruling in the market at even money. Comedienne, from the Kelso Stable, was as much neglected for her previous bad race, as for the practically unknown jockey who was bulletined to ride the Plaudit filly t Raynor gave Comedienne a splendid ride and just managed to get up in a hard stretch drive to win by a narrow margin. Sanguine ran the better race of the two in that ho was off none too well and was forced to gamely close an Immense gap to take second place from the pace-making, but tiring Right and True. The second race on the card was the Southern Steeplechase for hunters registered under the rules of the National Hunt Association and limited in ownership to Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. My Grace won eased up after being rated behind Warrenton and Flying Machine for a mile, where OBrien brought him up with a rush. Warrenton ran a good race in maintaining second place throughout and was not persevered with after he was beaten, yet finished ah easy second. Flying Machine set the pace for the first turn of the field, then fell back. John T. Morgan fell again in this, his second essay across the field, but today was remounted by his owner-rider and finished the course within the time limit. Firebrand won the Autumn Amateur Cup as an odds-on choice should and was ridden by Mr. Thomas Wright, of Baltimore. The young man took no chances, but sent his mount to the front immediately after the start and maintained a long lead all the way. Simple Honours, slightly impeded at the start, took up the chase after the favorite and was an easy second, two lengths in front of the second choice, Killochan. Lady Avis, which was well backed in her last start here, again was given some support and closed an equal second choice with High Jumper. McDanicl took the Verge dOr filly out in front after a slow beginning and won eased up. Wilton Lac-kaye forced all the pace and secured second place after a close finish with Nobelesse Oblige. Ottoman, the favorite, was in close quarters throughout, and did not run his race. Poquessing won the sixth race after following the fast pace set by Hooray and Graziallo and in- a fast and-game finish, passed Hooray for second place in the last stride. Samuel H. Harris was heavily backed just before post time, but ran disappointingly. McDaniel was forced to ride out Miss Crawford in the stretch to win the closing race. Solon Shingle ran in improved form and was in a forward position all the way. Campaigner secured third place over the tiring Reidraoore in a fast closing rush. Miss Crawford was the third favorite to win. The weather was fair and cloudy today and the track was fairly fast. The attendance was largo for a day following a holiday, about 7,000 racegoers being present when the horses were sent to the post for the first race. The Army Mounted Service Cup race was regarded by the crowd in a semi-humorous light, but to the soldiers at the track It .was the most Important race of tae afternoon
