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THE FINNS METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. Defeats Stromboli in a Stirring Finish — Big Attendance Graces Belmont Parks Opening. New York. May 2.1. — Notwithstanding that the spring racing season at Belmont lnrk opened on what may l o termed an off day. it mattered little to those who could spare time and money to pay a visit today to the beautiful Long Island racing institution. It was not supiKisod the crowd would be as large as it will be on Saturdays and holidays, hut it was big enough to indicate that people are in lavor of the horse and the sport of racing. As usual at Belmont Bark, society was well represented in the clubhouse and grandstand. Owing to the days receipts from the sale of boxes being devoted to several charities in connection with the horse and army benefits, all of the 170 lioxes were sold at the rate of $.10 each for the afternoon. Nearly every one was occupied by either Long Island or New York City parties of six or more. Since the restriction of the admission fee to .. the field stand has been made part of the grandstand, which now makes the lawns nearly a quarter of a mile long. The scope and beauty of the plant can be judged by this part alone. It is estimated that .10.000 visitors can now be comfortably accommodated in the stands and on the lawns. The l.ig feature of the day was the twenty -third running of the Metropolitan Handicap. This event brought out a high class field. Bonnier was among the missing however, when the field cantered to the post. August Belmonts Stromboli. last years winner of this event was the top weight at 122 pounds. The chairman of the Jockey Club was also represented in the race by Friar Bock Which showed good form as a two-year-old last year. The Finn and Slumber II. were both accorded quite a bit of support, both having shown good mid-season form in recent starts. The Finn won the big race. High Noon and Stromboli ran out in front for three-quarters. The Finn came along after High Noon retired and. challenging Stromboli in the last sixteenth, boat him home, with Spur a rather poor third. It was purely a question of condition of the two horses, which gave The Finn the race. He had two races at Jamaica, which put him on edge, and when the question of endurance was put to him he responded gamely. Spur saved some ground on the home turn, which gave him third place. High Noon proved himself a sprinter only. There was decided support for Hauberk and he had no mishaps, in fact the race was truly run. The New York steeplechase, the initial race through the field on the Metropolitan circuit this season, brought out some good timber topiiers and provided a thrilling race from start to finish. The remainder of the card was composed of evenly balanced races and the big crowd cheered the winners heartily. The climatic and track conditions were all that could be desired to make the opening an auspicious one. For the first time in this locality the stewards decided to weigh in the first four horses at the judges stand and the remainder in the paddock, where the winners of selling races were also sold. This is an innovation in this section though in operation at other American tracks. Just to celebrate the occasion, Mr. Belmont won the opening race with Tea Caddy after a drive with True as Steel. The latter took the lead from Yankee Notions in the first quarter and was in front until in the last sixteenth, where Hnynes put up a vigorous ride on Tea Cuddy and got him home first. For the first time in several years the famous colors of Dwyer Brothers were seen. They were not carried by a horse of 1*. J. Dwyers. but by Basil, a two-year-old belonging to the Wickliffe Stable. Basil started in the second race for maidens and put up a strong argument from start to finish, but had to succumb to the imported colt Jack Mount from W. B. Coos stable, which had haaa a forward contender from the start. Bally the favorite, finished third, coming from a rear position. After the first race Tea Caddy was bid up from XI. 200 to 2,888 and was retained for Mr. Belmont. Few of the horses wanned up for the Metropolitan Handicap, owing to the sultry and humid atmosphere. The absence of Boamer was regretted by the crowd, but Mr. Miller deemed it advisable not to start him. He showed a decided lack of condition to go a mile route at Jamaica and he is now lieing prepared for the Kentucky Handicap. Gainer was added to the race. Mrs. Payne Whitney, owner of the Greentree Stable, wishing to lie represented, at tin- same time believing he might be a factor, owing to his good condition. Mrs. Payne Whitney won the New York Steeplechase with her imported horse Marcelllnus which teak the lead alter going the first turn of the field. Compliment and Brentwood were his nearest opponents in the last mile. There was a general closing as the three approached the last jump and Marcellinus jumped sideways, slightly interfering with Brentwood. A claim of foul was made but was not allowed. Ollie Martin is an arrival here from Tijuana and John Gohcl arrived from Baltimore. Karl McQaaMe. a western newspaper man. is acting as agent for the Wickliffe Stable in charge of W. C. Clancy. 1 Work-outs over a fast track this morning were: Arnold Half mile in 81%. Ba — Mile in 1:88%. Bet Three-eighths in 37%. BucklMiard— Five-eighths in 1:00%. Capra — Mile in 1:42%. Coquette-Mile in 1:47%. Bay Break -Half mile in .11. Dirigible Five-eighths in 1:03%. Dorcas Mile in 1:47%. Eagle — Three -quarters in 1:18. Friar Naught Five-eighths in 1:04%. First Ballot Half mile in .11. Feiimouse--Three-quarters in 1:121. Flittergohl —Three-quarters in 1:21. Fair Count— Three-eighths in 39. Flying Fairy -Three-quarters in 1:1T%. George Smith Half mile in .12. CLipner Mile in 1:.11. Gnat Half mile in .13. 11 inworth -Three. niarters in 1:19. Helping Hand Five-eighths in 1:0.1%. Henry Jr. — Three-quarters in 1:20. Hidden Star Three-quarters in 1:22. Holiday— Mile in 1 :.12. He Will -Half mile in .14%. Jem -Mil.- in 1:.12. Koh-i-Noor Half mile in 52. Kobe Five-eighths in 1:07%. Keziali— Three-eighths in 37%. Lady Hillington Half mile in .11%. Miss Iuzzli — Seven-eighths in 1:29. all out. i Mustard— Three-quarters in 1:17/-.. • Malachiti — Mile in 1:4.1%. ; Mary Powell -Five-eighths in 1:07%. 1 Ormcsdnle — Three -eighths in BJ%. Pan Maid Three-quarters in 1:24. Presumption -Seven-eighths in 1:30. i Boamer— Mile in 24. 4!S%. 1:14. 1:40%. Bhine Maiden Three-quarters in 1:28%, I Holy— Three eighths in 37. I Sun Cod— Five-eighths in 1:00%. Sandusky — Half mile in .11. Sam Slick Three-quarters in 1:21. Silent Pilot -Three-quarters in 1:21. Tar Mile in 1:40. Trial by Jury Three-quarters in 1:17%. Variety — Three-quarters in 1:10. I Virile Five eighths in 1:13. White Hackle Mile in 1:4.1%. Woodtrup— Half mile in 47%. 1 1 1 . l I I .
