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QUEEN APPLE STAYS WELL Wins the Martin Behrman Handicap at Two Miles with Ease. Pine Weather and Good Track Brings Out a Great Crowd Jockey Garner Rides Well. NEW ORLEANS, La., March 1. The Martin Behrman Handicap at two miles, named for Unpopular mayor of New Orleans, a staunch friend of the racing here, was the outstanding feature of todays card, and it proved the magnet to attract the banner attendance of the season to the Fair Grounds. The winner turned up in Queen Apple, best ridden and better fitted to go the distance, having qualified handsomely in a previous start in n victory in a mile and a half dash. Molesworth rode her faultlessly and kept her under restraint close to the leaders, and coming away in the last half to win in a canter from Puts and Calls, with Lord Herbert in third place. The latter sulked for nearly the entire race and seemed unwilling at any point to extend himself fully. The value of the race was ,200. in addition to a handsome silver cup that Mayor Behrman donated and also presented to Sam Louis, the winning owner. Mayor Behrman witnessed the decision of the race from the judges stand. The improving track was responsible for a better grade of racing than has been witnessed here in weeks, many of the finishes being highly exciting, and the various fields running closely grouped, instead of the helter-skelter fashion, spread fanwlse over the traek. when the course was uneven. The Rex Handicap, in which some s the best hfrctook-imr.U though .at the-five- and-v-half furlongs distance, found Franklin a winner by a nose from Charlie Leydecker, witli Kate Bright in third place. The leading pair fought it out in strenuous style all through the stretch and had the big throng in a highly excited state. R. E. Watkins furnished the last two favorites in his Romeo and Seafarer, and became minus the pair, both being lost to him via the claiming route. Romeo going to C. R. Richards for ,100 and Seafarer being claimed by C. Hawk, acting for H. Field, for ,900. Seafarer won his race in easy style, but Romeo ran out while in the lead and proved easy for Grumpy and Kilmer at tin; end. The sport began with a victory for C. Fellowes Mile. Dazie. b.ut not before she had given her backers considerable concern when she let Rarar range alongside of her in the stretch, and it was only by hard riding that she succeeded in shaking him off to win by a neck. LAYERS HIT HARD. The favorite backers again landed hard on the layers when Jack K. won in the poor field that he started with in the second race. His victory was a hollow one over Laura .Miller and Ruth Strickland. Jockey Garner, who was absolved from further serving his suspension incurred from starter Dade, came Into the limelight by a victor on Honolulu Boy, a good thing of long standing, which only awaited the aid of a good rider to succeed. He won in easy style, the favorite, Bogart, following far back. Garner came right back with a victory on Grumpy, which drew away from Kilmer in the stretch after Romeo had made his bolt. "Whitey" Beck has decided that a contribution of over 00,000 for the season was sufficient and has decided to lay off for a while to get his bearings. The path of the layers in these parts lias been anything but a bed of roses. All the big operators who have quoted prices this winter at both tracks have suffered extensive deficits. Todays visitors included J. B. Respess. who came down to spend several days and take in the racing. Secretary Joe McLennan of the Havre de Grace track lias been trying for some time to get Eternal and Billy Kelly together during the racing to be held at the Maryland course and this afternoon, on behalf of Commander J. K. L. Ross, offered 0,000 as a side wager that Billy Kelly could reverse the decision that Eternal gained last fall over Billy Kelly at -the Laurel track. Owner McClelland, who is now here, refused the offer, giving as his reason that Eternal was at present in training for his engagement in the Kentucky Derby and that he would be shipped at the conclusion of the Hot Springs racing to Churchill Downs. To send him to Maryland for the Havre de Grace meeting to-engage in a tilt with Billy Kelly would interfere with his Kentucky Derby preparation. At an auction sale of horses in training held In the paddock prior to this afternoons races the following were sold: Happy Thought, W. Thomas. 05; Dorothy. T. B. Hitchcock. 1919.sh0; Todnah. Felix Block. 0; Amulet. B. Hitchcock, 1919.sh5; Helen Hayes. W. M. Cain, 5; Plantagenet, B. Hitchcock. 5. James Johnston has sold the three-year-old filly Antoinette to O. E. Pons. He has also disoosed of John J. Casey to Womeldorf and Harvey. Entries for the Spring Time Handicap, to be run opening day lit JelTersou Park, will close Monday. Weights for the Carnival Handicap, at one mile and a quarter, to be run Tuesday, were announced and are as follows: Franklin. 115; Slippery Elm, 114; Bondage, 120; Bolster. 103; Buford. 107; Douglass S.. 101; Hanovia, 10C; Cndcr Fire, 95; Courtship, 112.
