view raw text
SOLDIERS GIVEN A TREAT Thousands at Ghurchiil Downs as Guests of the Day. . George Starr Runs Awayiwith the Main Race Only Two Winning Favorites. , LOUISVILLE, Ky., October 28. With thousands of soldiers present from Camp Taylor, guests of the Kentucky Jockey Club this afternoon, Churchill Downs presented a truly military sppctacle, and the men from the "Fighting First" divided Interest with, the sport to the big throng of racegoers. The men composing "Pershings Own," who are making Camp Taylor their permanent home now. reached the course in marching order and found vantage points wherever the- minded, excepting in the clubhouse, which, however, was open to the officers.. Decorations were as plentiful as the tips the soldiers were recipients of, and nearly every wearer of Uncle Sams uniform was distinguished , by some badge, that he earned during-the late war by some conspicuous act of gallantry. The soldiers, as well as the numerous civilians, took keen interest in the sport aiid attending incidents. The weather was. of -tho best autumn order, ihe crispnoss of the air being just bracing enough to make top wraps comfortable. The track had dried considerably, but was still dull and fast time lacking. The Pershing Handicap at three-quarters of a milo featured the card, aiid it: brought with it the stellar incident of the afternoons racing, as well as the only jarring one. Jockey T. Murray was again in the limelight through his faulty management of CoJ. Taylor, an outstanding favorite and backed with confidence. Murray had Col. Taylor off well nnd- raced forwardly- for an eighth, whpn lie began restraining tactics and at one point stood perfectly upright in the stirrups in his efforts to. take the horse back. He succeeded so well in the first three-eighths that George Stnrr was .able to race into an undisputed lead and he ultimately won by as big a margin as his rider pleased. Col. Taylor, when freed from the hard restraint, loomed up in the stretch, but after a brief challenge the colt tired fast in the last eighth and landed a distant last in the field of six. Steward Price immediately interrogated the rider and minced no words in informing him that he had ridden a "sloppy" race. The jockey gave as his reason that the horse, was unmanageable. Iii contrast to his disappointing effort on Col. Taylor was Murrays good ride .on Apple Jack II. in the opening race and on Marse John in the fourth, both of which won in good style as a result of his able jockeyship. Todays racing brought about many, upsets and favorites were unsuccessful in all the races excepting the second and sixth, won respectively by Ruby, the shortest-priced favorite of the afternoon, and Lothair, carrying the colors of T. P. .Hayes. Both were best and won easily enough. The downfall of choices came with the opening race in which Apple Jack II. beat Lady Luxury and Bon Tromp, the latter being the favored one. mostly . due to the weight of support he received from C. F. Clark, who is here with a party from California. Wendy, carrying H. P. Whitneys colors, was a surprise in the third race. She just got up in .the last strides to outstay the supposed good thing. Valley Park Maid. Nepperhan was the expected good thing in the third race, but the best he could dp - wasto Janjl in third place, Marse John winning from" Trusty. " George Starr made a runaway victory of the handicap and Iwin just succeeded in outstaying Top Coat for second place.- The final race brought another close finish, with Breeze, under Boyles good riding, just outstaying Eulogy and Mistress Polly. Two claims were made for Warlike in the second race and L. Erb succeeded "in the draw, getting him for ,500. . "
