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SILK BIRD THE KINGS PLATE WINNER. Blue Bonnets Has Extremely Good Steeplechase Course Favorable Report from Laurel. Montreal. Que.. September -1. The Dorchester Stables Silk Bird, carrying 115 pounds and ridden by H. Jray. won the tenth running of the Kings Plate at Blue Bonnets this afternoon. The Kings Plate was the big feature of the opening days program of the Montreal Jockey Clubs fall meeting. There wens seven starters and Silk Bird and Reddest were both heavily backed. Silk Bird was a keen contender from the start, forcing the early pace and drawing away into an easy lead while rounding the far turn. In the stretch Sacal came through on the inside and, finishing fast, forced the winner to the hardest kind of a drive to win by a nose. In another stride past the winning mark Sacal showed in front. It was the closest finish of tlu; afternoon and by far the best Kings Plate ever run at Blue Bonnets. .Much attention has been given to the infield at Blue Bonnets during the summer and the steeplechase course is now pronounced by so good a judge as William Garth, as one of the best on this continent. The Montreal Jockey Club is making every effort to feature steeplechasiiig at Blue Bonnets and with this end in view a jumping race is provided for every day of the meeting. William 1. ltiggs, who has been a regular at Blue Bonnets since the course was" first opened, is an absentee this fall. Mr. Biggs found that his duties in looking after the extensive improvements in progress at Pimlico, will prevent his leaving there. A. E. Ogilivie takes Mr. ltiggs place in the stewards stand. Frank J Bryan will be unable to accept the position offered him as presiding steward for the meeting to be given at Essex Park. W. B. Gaylor, known about the race courses as "Brady" aim who at one time rode jumpers for John Ferris, is in a bad way at one of the local hospitals. Several weeks ago Gaylor was struck on the head by a footpad and is partially paralyzed as a result of the blow. His home is said to be in Kansas City and his friends here are anxious to locate his family. It. T. McKcevcr was an arrival from Saratoga with Ting-a-Ling and Springmass. He is looking after the engagements of Jockey Arthur Collins. There was a dispute over the services of jockey F. Itobinsou in the Kings Plate. James Bodcu, acting for B. Raymond, engaged Robinson from Edward Trotter last July to ride Reddest and. during the Ottawa meeting, W. Stormont, not knowing of this arrangement, engaged the boy to ride Siilk Bird. The matter was taken before the stewards and they decided that as .Air. Raymonds engagement was the first made he was entitled to the lads services. Joe McLennan received werd from M. J. Winn that the track at Laurel was now in splendid condition. The top soil placed on the track has been found to be admirably adapted for the purpose required and that after a heavy rainfall last week, which lasted twenty-four hours, the footing was in splendid condition the following afternoon. Mr. McLennan reports that all of the big stables racing here have reserved stalls there. Silk Bird is owned and was bred by Sir Thomas Shaughnessy. The dam of the filly, Silk Hose, was purchased from S. C. Hildreth for Sir Thomas Shaughnessy by C. J. Fitz Gerald several years ago. Dr. J. S. Tyrees good three-year-old. King Neptune, again scored in impressive fashion iu the overnight handicap, that had the secondary place on the card. He is in fine trim just now.
