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ZEUS IS WINNER OF DERBY S. C. HILDRETHS COLT BEATS GOVERNOR GRAY BY MARGIN OF A NOSE. Opening of Fort Erie Meeting Marked By Sensational Raring — Hamilton Grandstand and Other Buildings Burned. Buffalo. N. Y., July 1. The twelfth running of the Canadian Derby attracted a record-breaking attendance to the Fort Krie track this afternoon. Fully B ,XM people crowded into the enclosure to view the running of the race. The field was the best thai ever went to the post on a Canadian course and ihe race was one of the best three-year-old con-i, -is ever witnessed at the Niagara Jockey Clubs course. 8. C. Hildreth furnished the winnerin Zeus, which bent Governor Gmj a nose in a sinew-straining finish, in which Zeus just did manage to last long enough. The mile and a quarter was run according to the official timer in 2:04*. although many trainers timed the race faster. Zeus was favorite and heavily backed by his owner and friends. The pace was fast throughout, with Meridian and Whist racing in front like a team for the first mile. The Carman colt had a slight advantage entering the homestretch, but in the final furlong Zeus disposed of tKitii of the leaders. Jockey Shilling was in close pursuit of the leaders until well around the lar turn, when he pulled to the outside aud in making the turn for the final run he came around with a rush. After disposing of Meridian and Whist, Zeus began to weaken and at the end Shilling had to ride his hardest to get him to last. Governor Cray was pocketed behind the first division for seven furlongs. Byrne being unable to get through until entering the homestretch, where he came to the outside. In the final furlong Governor Gray closed with a rush and at the finish was going much faster than the winner. Meridian tired badly and was beaten a neck lor third place b.v Whist, which finished rive lengths behind Governor Gray. The latter leaves for I.atoni.i on Monday to fill a Stake engagement at that track, lie will return to Canada later on in the summer. Capt. .1. T. Williams, al-thongh his gelding was beaten, got much satisfaction out of the race for the reason that Governor Gray gave Meridian a sound beating. S. C. Hildreth furnished another winner during the afternoon in Purging, which galloped home first in th, two year old race which opened the meeting. A high cl.is; lit Id went to the post in the fifth race, a mile and a sixt,-, nth handicap, and John Whalen. trainer for August Belmont, uncovered a slashing !,,king Rock Sand eoH in Flint Rock. The latter ups, a the calculations of the smart set by showing a line performance ami beating Spellbound and Hampton Court a length in a driving finish. The paci throughout was extremely fast, the fractional time being s;:.. -17. 1:121, 1 : -iT » . l:sSf. The dockers all caught the mile and sixteenth in 1:44 liar. Plate .lass slmplj played with his opposition In the sixth race, making all of his own pace and winning in I romp. Colonel Aslimeade. winner, of the seventh •■■ changed hands after his victory. He was running in the colors of Sam Louis and was entered to be sold for ,000. S. C. Hildreth boosted him to .2ii» and secured him at that figure. Thirty live layers cut in. four of which were fielders. Speculation wa-- keen. Following is a list of tin layers that operated in the big ring: J. Scully, I; ,.-. Offutt, Ed Colell. I. Hammerslas. Benny Mever, Jack Sbeehan, Bod UcMahon, J. Mellinger, Ike Gar-son. Frank Behra, .1. M. Coburn, B. .!. Ryan, Charles Walter-.. George Zellas, Harry Gardner, Eole Pear-sai!. William Beverley. J. Stroud, T. J. Shaw. Lee Wagner, A. Haul. P. .1. Met. rath. R. Klein. M. C. Lewis. George Cafferata, 0. WeBcert. M. Marks. J. Spillane, John Lewis. ,i. Pitch and Henry Haines. About the first new-; that everyone received on arrival at the track was that the grandstand and superintendents cottage at the Hamilton Jockey clubs course hail burned to the ground this morning. Secretary London, Judge Honck ami other members of the club were at the track this afternoon. They said that a temporary structure would be erected and that the summer meeting would be held as advertised. Allan Case has purchased the Can:-,. Fan bred horse-Cater Sauce from tie Valley Farm Stable. Mortimer afahoney, who is in rhargr of a majority of ihe betting rings in Canada, was a visitor at the course this afternoon, A majority of the layers operating her,- win move over p, Windsor at tin- conclusion ,,f the Fort Brie meeting. .1. B. Walker, who developed the high-class fillv, Rose Lawrence, for Bobert Daries, of Toronto, has severed his connection with the latter and will open a public stable.
