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, wonderful turf battle — -— « . Boniface Defeats Exterminator in Thrilling Stretch Duel. — • Only a Nose Separates Great Pair of Veterans at Finish of Philadelphia Handicap. ♦ — HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., April 22.— When two such old turf warriors as Exterminator and Boniface meet on the race course one thing is almost certain — a battle royal. Such was the case today when the two veterans clashed in the Philadelphia Handicap, the ,000 added stake feature of an attractive Saturday program that brought out an immense crowd to the picturesque Harford County course. The majority of that great concourse of people were confident that the gallant Exterminator would emergo triumphant even with such a sturdy opponent as Boniface among the starters. Such was the public confidence in V. S. Kilmers great gelding that post time found him an overwhelming favorite. Four withdrawals from the overnight acceptances left but six to face the starter. The start was a good one and Wellfinder, under his light impost, was away quickly and Jeg, showing improved form over his previous start, was in close attendance, while Exterminator was racing next to the inner rail within striking distance. Turner, on Boniface, was in difficulties early and was repeatedly blocked and was forced to take up and drop to last position. Taken to the outside on the turn out of the backstretch Boniface moved up fast when Bunga Buck assumed the lead. This order was maintained until rounding the stretch turn, where Exterminator moved up on the inside. Then the real struggle began. Bunga Buck tired and dropped back, while Boniface moved into the lead, with Exterminator at his side. Racing almost abreast these two giants of the turf came tearing through the final eighth with terrific speed, neither seeming to be able to gain an inch. On they came with both Turner and Johnson riding as if their lives depended on the result and with the great crowd on its feet shouting and gesticulating wildly, carried away by enthusiasm over the great struggle they were witnessing. TUfiNEBS VIGOROUS RIDING. Boniface, under Turners vigorous riding, held on to slight advantage ana, try as he did, the mighty Exterminator could not quite get on even terms, the pair crossing the winning line separated by a nose. It seemed to those in the stand that Turner crowded Exterminator in the last seventy yards. However, the judges found no cause to reverse their decision and the victory went to Commander J. K. L. Ross great horse, which had been forced to lower his colors to the great Exterminator in both the 1920 and 1921 runnings of the Pimlico Cup, as well as several other races. The crowd that journeyed to Havre de Grace this afternoon was of record breaking proportions, crowded and packed every available inch of space. A return to mild weather favored the patrons in the jam, outer wraps and topcoats were discarded. The track was in splendid condition and fast. Tireless work, benefited by a warm sun and a slight wind., dried the going out perfectly. The card, which was built about the stellar attraction, was of exceptional merit and served to bring together fields of well balanced proportions. The Lexington Stables Lucky Hour, Derby and Preakness candidate, enhanced his chances this afternoon when he was an easy winner of the Comrade Purse, which brought -together a speedy band to go three-quarters. Rocket took second place and Dexterous was third. The winner was ridden by jockey Schuttinger and was an odds-on choice in the speculation. The start, a good one, found Brilliant Ray showing the way, pursued by Dexterous and Rocket, with Lucky Hour under restraint in fourth place. This order was maintained for the first quarter, where Dexterous was sent to the front. When entering the turn into the stretch Rocket moved up on the Oliver colt and Schuttinger brought Lucky Hour up with a rush on the outside. The Lexington Stable representative answered in resolute fashion, wore the leaders down and was going away through the final sixteenth. Rocket easily disposed of the tiring Dexterous. LUCKY HOUR RACES IMPRESSIVELY. Sweepy scored a victory for G. Holland when he outlasted Tan Son and Lucky B, in a dash of a mile and seventy yards. Sweepy was away forwardly and raced Clansman into defeat. Penman shook up his mount entering the stretch and in a desperate Continued on eigntli page. _ j j , j , j . , ■ . . * . j j . . . . . j , . , , WONDERFUL TURF BATTLE | Continued from first page. finish earned the verdict from Tan Son. Lucky B. was a good third. Lazy Lou, ridden by Wallace, accounted for the final race of the afternoon in a drive from Attorney Muir and Roseate. The latter raced Alhena into early defeat, drew away ] into a long lead and had nothing left at the finish. Lazy Lou was neglected in the wagering and netted a dividend of 8.00 for the usual investment. J. W. Hill, a well-known hotel man of ! Omaha, was a visitor today in the interests * of the coming meeting to be held at that point under the auspices of the Ak-Sar-Ben. G. W. Foreman claimed Beverly Belle i from C. J. Quinn for ,441.88. I The talent started off in splendid style with the running of the opening dash when J Jock Scot waa a winner from Tidings and . Trantula. The veteran was ridden by jockey j Thomas and was a forward factor from the start, forcing a fast pace. Entering the 1 stretch he responded courageously and drew 1 clear by a safe margin in the final sixteenth. Tidings was the quickest away and displayed ; good speed, but was unable to withstand the rush of the winner. Charlie Summy, well up in the first part, quit badly and Trantula, ; closing with a rush, took the short end of the purse. Harry Payne Whitneys Enchantment, a j big son of Chicle — Enchanting, scored his second consecutive victory in as many starts when he won the second race of the day and incidentally equaled the track record of 47 for a half mile, which was held jointly by : Fannie Meehan and Carmandale. The dash, called the Blue Grass Purse, brought out a promising band of two-year-olds and the Whitney starter was held at prohibitive odds in the wagering. Away quickly, Morris took him to the front and Rork raced in closest pursuit, while the remainder of the field was closely bunched. Entering the stretch Enchantment drew away with ease and was under slight restraint at the finish. The winning streak of favorites was crushed when Edward F. Whitneys Mainmast took a good band of sprinters in camp in an easy manner in the running of the fourth | j ! race. Broomster took the place and Hildur j | wa3 third. The start was delayed by the | i j fractious behavior of Irish Dream and Broomster and when the webbing was released Irish Dream wheeled and was left. Mock Orange propped and ruined what chances he might have had. Broomster was away quickly and was followed by Hildur, while Marinelli was content to remain in third position with the ultimate winner. This order was maintained for the first half, when Mainmast moved up with a rush and, racing past the leaders, was drawing away through the final sixteenth. The winner was neglected in the betting and netted a dividend of 8.50 for the usual investment. WIDEMMt JUMPERS AT PIMLICO. Trainer J. H. Eewis arrived at Pimlico this -morning with the steeplechase string of J. E. Widener from Elkins Park, Penn. The horses will be seen under colors at this meeting. . Jockey J. Rowan was suspended two days by the stewards for rough riding in the third race yesterday. Steeplechase jockey B. Haynes will be absent from the saddle for a few days due to an injury to his shouider when he fell from Transpero. C. J. Fitz Gerald was an arrival from Xew York this morning. T. Frances, a well-known owner, who has been confined to his hotel for the past week due to an attack of illness was a visitor , today. A notice was posted in the secretarys office this morning that all trainers and jockeys that intend to race under the jurisdiction of the New York Jockey Club and the Canadian Racing Association make application for their licenses to Joseph McLennan. An express car in charge of Sidney Bender , will leave here for Montreal at the close of this meeting, the shipment to be made up of I horses of different owners. R. T. Watts announced this morning that he would leave for Lexington on Monday with the apprentice J. Owens. C. P. Winfrey at private terms purchased from G. AV. Foreman the three-year-old Elemental. Louis Garth disposed of the two-year-olds Better Times and Sweet and Pretty to Paul Fox, acting for the Crow Point Stable. Steeplechase jockeys O. Diamond, C. Wilkinson and C. Mergler were suspended for three days by starter Milton for disobedience at the post. W. II. Bringloe, trainer for the Seagram Stable, was a visitor at Havre de Grace this afternoon and reported that inclement weather had retarded the conditioning of the division of the stable which was left at the farm at Waterloo; Ontario. This division is in charge of George Crawford, one of Bringloes assistants, and will be transferred to Woodbine Park during the first week in May. Of the Kings Plate material in which the stable appears to be a formidable contender Impersonator at the present seems to be the logical choice. Jockey Thompson will have the mount on the main dependency of those that will carry the yellow and black. +.
