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1 i . i i ! j , j . THUNDERCLAPS SPEED Gives Him a Fine Victory in Belmont Park Feature Race. Yankee Star Runs a Good Race . in Defeating Pirate Gold in a Close Finish. NEW YORK, N. Y., September 15. There was no real feature down for decision at Belmont Park today and the most interest was in anticipation of the Futurity and the Jockey Club Gold Cup, to be decided Saturday. But along came Thunderclap from the Rancocas Stable and saved the racing from mediocrity when he won the Whitestone Handicap. He took up 130 pounds and ran the mile and a sixteenth of this race in 1 :4o, which is only one-fifth of a second slower than the track record. And it was a handicap that spoke volumes for the skill of Walter S. Vos-burgh, when four of the five starters were fighting it out in the last eighth. The day was a delightful one for the sport and there was a goodly crowd out, when it is remembered that it was a stakeless day and there was a program that contained two maiden races, as well as another race for cheap ones. After Little Chief and John Paul Jones had been withdrawn from the Whitestone Handicap, those left to race with Thunderclap were Frigate, Best Pal, Hephaistos and Two Feathers. The only one of the quintet that really did not belong was Two Feathers, which, as was to be expected, was outrun from end to end. SANDE SAVES THUNDERCLAP. Frigate, Best Pal and Hephaistos all went out at a swift pace and Sande was content to save Thunderclap back of them, although he kept his mount within striking distance in the rush down the backstretch. Swinging out of that he drew his whip to rouse Thunderclap and at the same time Best Pal drew up on Frigate until he was on even terms. Hephaistos was hanging on resolutely and at the turn for home, when Sande began his move with Thunderclap, it was like a charge of cavalry. Hephaistos met with some slight interference on the turn, but he quickly recovered and took his place in the line. Thunderclap had covered some extra ground in racing around the other three, but he was equal to the handicap and when an eighth from home he was alongside and Sande was riding like a demon. Frigate was the first to crack under the pace, but as he gave way both Hephaistos and Best Pal stuck to the battle resolutely. Then Best Pal began to tire and on came Hephaistos. But there was no denying Thunderclap after he was alongside and right at the end he drew out to win by a length, while Hephaistos beat Best Pal a slightly greater distance for second place. It was a brilliant victory for Thunderclap, when the weight and the time are taken into consideration. He was also ridden with rare skill and judgment by Sande, who permitted the others to make the pace for him and then made his winning rush at the proper time. iJREAT JUVENILE- DUEL. For an opening race the offering was a five and a half furlongs dash for two-year-old maidens. It was virtually a two-horse race and H. Ackers Recommendation was the only winner by a nose better than Great Lady. The two were closely lapped in front, all through the race and through the last eighth both were driven to the limit, first one and then the other showing in front, until in the last stride the colt dropped his nose down in front. Chile, after racing prominently all the way, outfinished the others to be third, though he was two lengths back of Great Lady. While at the post in this race I. Hertz Golden Dawn II. was kicked and came out of the race bleeding badly from a bad wound. Yankee Star, from the Quincy Stable, was the winntr of the mile dash that came second and at tU end Ponce had to ride him hard to withstand the final rush of Pirate Gold. Third money fell to Scotland Yet. Prelude was virtually left, but the others left on the same stride and Ponce at once went out to set the pace with Yankee Star. lie was soon in a clear lead and going fast under slight restraint. On the turn out of the backstretch Scotland Yet raced up to Yankee Star and the pair of them were lapped to the stretch, hut Scotland Yet was doing her best, while Yankee Star still had something left! An eighth out the Rosseter filly was through, but ther Pirate Gold began his move. Ho Continued on twelfth page. THUNDERCLAPS SPEED Continued from first page. was closing up with great gameness, but Ponce saw the move in time and kept Yankee Star going to have him win by a half length, while Scotland Yet was a length and a quarter farther away and four lengths before Bit o Black. Nate Byer took down another purse in the third race when J. L. Prices Fayelle was the winner from a cheap band of platers. It was a mile dash and the carelessness of trainers was exemplified when two of the runners, M. T. Suggs Lackawanna and C. K. Moores Thornhedge, had bandages put on so badly that they became loose in the running and were flopping after the horses at the finish. Eager Eyes made most of the running, with Consort racing second and Pibroch third. In the stretch Fayelle slipped through and at the end was going away with something to spare. Tryon was of little help to Pibroch, but he raced into second place at the end, largely on his own courage, while Consort saved third place.
