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MUD RUNNERS TO THE FORE RAIN RESULTS IN RIDDLING OF THE CARD AT FORT ERIE. Handicap Feature Is Affected to Such an Extent That It Is Declared Off Cloisteress and Gerrymander Disappoint as Odds-on Favorites. Buffalo, N. Y.. July 23. Rain which fell last night caused a change in track conditions at Fort Erie and resulted in numerous scratches today. The fourth race, a handicap at three-quarters, was declared off, as two of the four starters declined the issue because of the bad going The racing was ordinary and the winners generally finished far in ad-, vance of their opponents: The bookmakers encountered heavy losses, as most of the winners were liberally supported. The chief incidents of the racing were the defeats of Cloisteress and Gerrymander, both at odds-ou. The former finished .a distant second to Uncle Jltn-mle Gray in the three-quarters sprint. Gerrymander never seriously threatened Lanlgan, and the latter won in a common canter. . Jockev Davenport again came into the limelight. He piloted Tom Dolan to victory in the second race and Light Blue in the fifth. Both won off by themselves. In the opening race, Galvesca and Scruples-were made the choices and they encouraged their backers during the first half by maintaining forward positions, but retired in the stretch and Gallant Pirate only had to canter to finish five lengths before the suddenly improved Banlvcs, with Dolly Mnddis-in third place. The closing race went to Malediction in the closest finish of the afternoon, Gilvedear taking second place from Elgin. Rose Queen was shipped to New York today to start in a race at Empire City track tomorrow. Jockey Mentry will have the mount and departed tonight for New York. Guy Grav is trying to purchase the good colt. W. A. Leach, having made an offer of ,000 for him. The Markleins are holding out for ,000. Jockev Hammond, who was to have riddeii Chicosa in the fifth race, was taken ill and Tellott was substituted. - The connections of Light Blue are said to have made a big winning by his victory. Originally Ganz was carded to ride the Iiorse, hut. by permission of the judges. Davenport was substituted. Steeplechase jockey Hlggins, suspended by starter Dade, has been restored to favor. Edward Corrigan was again a visitor here. The Windsor Baclng Association will try an innovation in their steeplechase races by subscribing im additional 1909.sh0 to each purse, to be divided equally among the first three jockeys, with a view to encouraging the riders. . Several horsemen that had been Intending to ship to De Lorimer Park . have reconsidered on learning that the racing would not havo the sanction of thu Canadian Racing Associations.
