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[ IS DECLARED NO CONTEST. STARTER OVERLOOKS HORSE IN FRONT OF THE BARRIER AT OAKLAND. Janeta Defeats Johnny Lyons and Import in a Fast Mile Dash — May Amelias Victory Causes Trouble and the Stewards Get Busy. Oakland, Cal., March 17.— St. Patricks day at the Oakland race course was a gala affair. All the prominent Irish organizations of Oakland and San Francisco were represented. James Corley, Richard Heaney, William Lenaue, Ricard ODonnell and many other high officials of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of the state of California were there to lend eclat to the occasion. The fine card offered by the New California Jockey Club developed splendid sport throughout. The big feature, the St. Patrick Handicap at one mile, produced a splendid racing spectacle and aroused great enthusiasm among the • spectators. Janeta, an extreme outsider in the betting, earned the verdict by a close margin in a thrilling finish between three, Johnny Lyons and Import, the contenders, not being beaten until in the very last stride. The winners improvement was very sudden and the stewards may investigate the running of the horses trained by H. A. Cotton. This stable and its connections also furnished a reversal in the victory of May Amelia, in which case the stewards took summary action by suspending jockey R. Davis indefinitely for a suspected dishonest ride on May Amelia in her previous race when she was badly beaten. It is rumored, hoA-ever, that this mare was not half fit nor meant on that occasion, that there was a combination in favor of Belle of Iroquois, which failed to deliver the goods. Th - blame was laid on jockey W. Kelly, who was set down by his stable. This action aroused the suspicion of the stewards, who proceeded to investigate on their own account. It is said that Matt Beis. who owns Belle of Iroquois, was of the opinion that he had been double crossed by his own rider. From a speculative standpoint the afternoons sport was disastrous to race-goers. Every favorite except the last was beaten. The juvenile race furnished a sensational fiasco, for which the starter was seemingly responsible. CoUice, which had not returned to the harrier from a false start, and while a sixteenth of a mile in front of the barrier, was overlooked aud the field was sent off without her. Pomare, from the Spreckels establishment, won by a magnificent effort. Under the rules there was no alternative but to declare it no contest. This was accordingly done by the stewards. Bets were, of course, void under this decision. On account of the age of the racers it was decided not to run the race over again, and, except for form purposes, it does not go.
