Meelicks Brilliant Race: Hildreths Colt Makes Chapultepec Appear Common in Crescent City Derby, Daily Racing Form, 1908-03-15

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MEELICKS BRILLIANT RACE HILDRETHS COLT MAKES CHAPULTEPEC APPEAR COMMON IN CRESCENT CITY DERBY. Not Only Captures the Big Race Easily, but Sets a New Track Record for the Distance — Finkola Never a Contender. New Orleans, La., March 14.— S. C. Hildreths double California Derby winner. Meelick. added to his laurels by annexing1 the Crescent City Derby today in a manner that stamps him one of the best three year olds in tin- country. What made his performance more notable was the fact that he had only ht hi nff t lie cars forty hours after a trip across the country. The race was a brilliant one from every angle, and will go down in racing history as the liest ever contested in the southland. The quartette f starters in the race were considered among the top-notchers in the country, and a great race was anticipated, but that Meelick, with his heavy impost, would lower the track record for the distance was unlooked fur. thapultepec. which finished second, clearly showed that he Is not Mee-licks equal. The Burlew- and ONeill representative was the early leader, but faltered at the critical moment when he was called on to prwve his mettle. Angelus and Plnkola, the latter a pronounced disappointment, were never serious contenders, and trailed the first pair hopelessly after the barrier was raised for the start. Chapultepec. breaking while in the act of wheeling from a side position, took the lead after going by the judges stand for the first time, but on the first turn he bore out and McDaniel was forced to whip him across the head to keep him in. He again took the lead when fully around the turn and, aided by Dugans restraining tactics on Meelick. Increased his advantage while going down the back-stretch. Dugan. however, was riding a confident race on Meelick. which was in close pursuit of Chapultepec. Behind the pair Angelus and Pinkola were trailing, the last-named seemingly sulking and thoroughly l eaten. After passing the three-quarters post Dugan called on Meelick, and the colt responded quickly, passing Chapultepec In the next half-dozen strides and, gaining the lead, the race was practically over. Chapultepec, under hard urging, retained second place from his stable companion, Angelus. After the finish, when the time of the race was made known, winners and losers alike vied with each other in paying tribute to a really groat colt, and the cheering was tremendous and prolonged. The tabulated history of the Crescent City Derby Is as follows: Year. Winner. Wt. Jockey. Val. Time. 1S0S Presbyterian 119 T. Burns ..,900 1 :55! IW King Barleycorn. 115 W. Martin. 2.S40 1:541 MOO lrinee of Veroniall.". McJoynt ... 2.840 2: 0 PMil Henry Clay Rve.115 Cochran ... 2, 840 1 :55 1902 Ixird Quex 18 .1. Winkfield 3,450 2:0OJ 1903 Wit full 110 Cannon ... 4.640 2:078 UN Mstri.-h 115 Fuller I.W 1 ITTl IMS Bight Royal 115 J. Martin . 7.145 1:59. IMS Guiding Star ...Ul! J. Martin . 7,140 1:54? 1007 Montgomery 117 C.H.Sliilling 7.825 1:53* 1908 Meelick 122 K. Dugan. .. 7,825 1 :51*. Jockey Dugan, who came here from the coast lo ride Meelick, showed himself a master of his •.raft anil was given full recognition for his skillful .riding of the Derby winner. Dugau, in addition to winning the DeTby, also piloted to victory Pedro unci Ouagga in the races succeeding the feature, while on Ben Trovato, in the closing race, he finished third. Ni ver before in the history of racing in this section has there been an attendance to equal the one at the Fair Grounds this afternoon. So dense did it become that all the gates leading to the infield were opened to allow the overflow to find space. The betting ring was a continuous jam throughout. The racing was spirited and immensely enjoyed by the holiday attendants; those of a speculative turn were disappointed, as upsets were frequent. The principal disappointment eanie with Chapultepec s defeat. Intervene and Jack Witt also added to the bookmakers profits by winning their respective races in commanding style. Escutcheon, Pedro and Hyperion II. were the winning choices. Fred Burlew. although sadly disappointed over rthe defeat of Chapultepec, had no excuses to offer «nd admitted defeat by a better horse. Dave Leary, who came here in charge of Meelick, was jubilant after his charge had been returned winner and said: "The colts good race was no surprise to me. I maintained all along that he would win and did not feel in the least worried over the outeome after I was fully convinced that he LnXl stood the trip from California well, nis next Mar* will l«e the City Park Derby and then I am instructed to ship east and, if he does not meet with a mishap, will be a starter in the Cartel-Handicap/ "Do you think he can beat Colin?" was asked « f Leary. "No. I dont," was the quick response. "Colin is the greatest race horse in the world." Owner Fizer was sadly disappointed over Pinkolas showing, but had no excuses to otter. Jockey Minder, who rode him, said that the colt pinned his cars back and refused to extend hiin-tolf at any stage of the race. Starter Cassidy left tonight for New York, where he will remain until the opening at Wasbingtoii. He will be succeeded by A. B. Dade. Jockey Koerner was suspended by the starter for Itll da.s for dlsoliedlence at the jxist.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1900s/drf1908031501/drf1908031501_1_2
Local Identifier: drf1908031501_1_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800