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■ I • i i • i I i I ; - t BIG BOWS THORNTON EASILY WINS THE THORNTON STAKES IN NEW REC-0RD TIME FOR A RACE. Only Four Start and Livius Only Gives President Williams Recent Purchase Much Opposition — Great Crowd Views the Contest. Oakland, Cal., March 14.- The prospective big field of starters in todays Thornton Stakes at Oakland finally dwindled down to four horses, the presence of the formidable pair of stayers, Big Bow and Livius. shutting out all but two of the long list of eligibles, Benvolio and Byronerdale, neither of which was seriously considered for first honors. Randalls ln ra finished third, thirty lengths away, and earned the 00 third money, while Byronerdale, by lauding fourth, saved his starting fee. Thomas H. Williams new purchase. Big Bow, a perfect type of the old-fashioned four-mile-and-repeat stayer, fulfilled expectations by winning the great four-mile race with plenty to spare, from the gallant runner-up. Livius. in the wonderfully fast time of 7:10 flat, which established a new race record for the distance. The gaunt six-year-old uusexed son of Le Premier — Bess Owen, at all stages in the actual running, had the measure of his opposition, maintained leisurely pursuit of Byronerdale before he took command, aud when menaced in the closing six furlongs of the long journey by Livius. proceeded to furnish the s ectators with an exhibition of marvelous stamina uneqnaled in the history of four-mile racing on the Pacific coast. The result was greeted with enthusiasm by the vast crowd of approximately 15,000 race-goers present. The cheering was renewed when the time of the race was displayed and tlie spectators realized that all existing records for a race had been broken. The condensed history of the Thornton Stakes is as follows: Year. Winner. A. Wt. Jockey. Val. Time. 1M.. Gilead 4 Mi Bergen ,150 7:32 lS90*Star Ruby ...4 lo:* W. Martin. 2,440 7:23J 1K! 7 Schiller 4 low Simms 2.440 8:04* MM Judge Denny.. 5 115 Thorpe 2.440 7-20* 18.00 The Bachelor. 0 113 Bullman ...2,375 7:16V 1900 Forte 5 112 Henry 2,38. 7:22 1901 Loeochee 5 112 See 2 380 7-23 1902 Siddons 4 109 L. Jackson. 2,440 7:30 1903 El R. Shann.O 110 T. Knight. . 2,010 7:28* 1904 V terano 4 109 J. Martin . 2.3SO 7:37 1905 .rafter 7 112 W. Knapp.. 2.240 7:33$ 1900 Preservator .4 105 W. Knapp.. 2,205 7:32 ± 1907 Los Angeleno.S 112 W. Knapp.. 2,370 7:27 1908 Big Bow 0 112 Butwell ...2.645 7:10 Run at Bay District track in 1895 and 1896. The most perfect weather prevailed and the card was first-class. It included, besides the big fixture just referred to, two attractive handicaps, the Glen-i wood and the Suseol, at respectively one mile and a sixteenth and six furlongs, and three purse races. The total of winning favorites was represented by Andrew B. Cook and Big Bow. Upsets were plenti- ful in the remaiuing four races. Judge Nelson was just nosed out by Cloyne in the Glenwood Handicap after having finished a beaten-off last in his preced- ing effort against practically the same opposition as today. The stewards have taken the matter of the running of II. G. Bedwells horses up for consideration. Between the starter and jockey, The Mist did not have much of a chance to show her worth in the closing affair. Gilbert was not ready at the start and some of the other trailers weaved in and out in front of him for the first quarter. Finally, after closing an immense early gap, he was forced to turn for home on the extreme outside and found it impossible to get up in time with much the best hors-. L. Stack claimed Lord Nelson for 85. Walter Millers riding engagements for Monday are Phalanx, Matchtulla, Alsatian, Roalta and Ar- court. Gilberts mounts are Standover, Cull Holland, Last Co, Preen and Frank Skinner.
