view raw text
THORNDALE DEFEATED Benjamin Blocks Louisiana Derby Hope Meets Reverse. Julia M. Scores Her Third Straight Victory Old Sam Freed-man Makes Good. NEW ORLEANS, La., Feb. 7. Another highly regarded Louisiana Derby prospect had his colors lowered today at the Fair Grounds when Benjamin Blocks Thorndale met defeat in the Bonaventure Handicap, the principal attraction of an interesting program. True, Thorndale was asked to concede much weight to his opponents, but after his two recent triumphs it was thought that he had nothing to fear in todays race. In fact, he was an overwhelming favorite and his downfall was indeed a big disappointment. The winner came from an unexpected source in E. R. Bradleys Brilliant Cast, the extreme outsider in a betting way. He was saved during the early running while In-victus was setting the pace. The latter led to the last few strides when Brilliant Cast flashed past him and earned the decision in the last stride. Henry M. Dietz was third, closing a big gap to pass Thorndale in the last eighth. There was a big field that faced the starter in the inaugural dash and a close finish between Sun Mart and Watch Charm, the former winning in the last stride, while Gold-iield finished third a half length back of the leading pair. The latter was the favorite and looked all over the winner when he moved to the front entering the stretch. However, excessive use in closing a big gap spelt defeat for the Daniel racer, as he tired in the last eighth and both Sun Mart and Watch Charm passed him. This pair put up a pretty battle for the first honors with the above-mentioned results. FIRST IX CLOSE FINISDT. Sam Freedman, which when a two-year-old was highly regarded and an offer of ?35,000 for him was refused, came back to the races recently after being in retirement for a long time, and made good this afternoon, leading all the way in the second race, to gamely outlast Colonel Winn in a spirited finish. This pair furnished the chief contention and the latter, under Parkes energetic ride, was gaining on the winner at the end. Jim Arthur provided the winner of the third race in his consistent filly Julia M., which scored her third straight victory after a sparkling performance. Everglade threat-end to run away with the race after getting the best of the start and opening up a big gap. However, Julia M. gained steadily and caught the pacemaker tiring in the last eighth and, under Langs hustling ride, got tho verdict in the last stride. The fifth issue of the program book was distributed among horsemen during the forenoon by racing secretary McLennan. The book runs from February 11 to 16, inclusive. J. G. Wagnon has been appointed authorized agent for the horses left here by Doc Akers, trainer of the Pastime Stable. Fifty horses were excluded from Fridays card, twenty-six of the number coming out of the seventh. Ashland, the four-year-old colt owned by J. Brown, has been turned over to George Phillips to train. G. R. Allens claim for Normal was recognized, Allen paying l.GOO for the racer. Nominations for the Crescent City Handicap, one mile and an eighth, to be run February 16, close Saturday. The race carries an added value of ,000.
