view raw text
ARNOLD IN A SOFT PLACE Leads All the Way in the Feature Race and Wins Cantering. Hot Favorites Win the First Two Races, Then an Outsider Breaks In. -i NEW ORLEANS, La., December 19. There was plenty of action at Jefferson Park today and a big crowd was there to voice approval of the general course of the proceedings. For a change several of the heavily backed favorites of the day vindicated the judgment that had made them such. The principal race of the afternoon was the fifth, a dash of three-quarters, to which some speedy sprinters were, nominated. However, Arnold seemed so much the best at the weights that he was always an odds-on first choice. Taking the lead at once he made the pace fast and won all the way without once being asked to do his best. In his present form this is a hard horse to beat. Bon Tromp made a game try for the lead in the stretch, but it was no use. The Gallants last race had been so promising of better things that of eleven maidens lined up for the first race he was but a shade better than "evens" mm the favorite. Efficiently ridden by Coltiletti he had no trouble at all about winning by four lengths from Judge David, with Revolution a good third. Some wise folks here have been exacting Cavalcadour II. to win .a race, and when he led to the far turn it seemed he was about to oblirje. but that was all today. The same lad was on Ina Kay in tlie secend race. She was backed down from even money to the somewhat .unfamiliar quotation of 3 to 4 and made no- bones about winning by five lengths from Hiimmn. The speedy mare Sybil was a bang-up third and on her showing here should be appropriating a purse herself before long. Duke of Devonshire had C. Robinson up and was expected to do something here, but fourth was his best. Having done well so far, the favorite backers tcok to Valley Park Maid in the third race with great unanimity and much cash, but were rudely shocked when that uncertain filly ran unplaced to the outsiders Catania. Vica Cuba ond Miss Parnell. She was rapidly overhauling the three leaders at tlie end, but there was scant consolation in that demonstration of what might have been. Biilie B. renewed their confidence when he wan the fourth race by a few inches in a desperate setto with Murphy. The latter led nearly all the way and only gave it up right in the last two strides. Medusa ran well here and was a fast coming third.
