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ROBINSONS BAD RIDING Responsible for Thorndales Defeat in New Orleans Handicap. Fredericktown Winner by Parkes Hustling Tactics Racing in Keeping With Big Crowd. NEW ORLEANS, La., March 1. Ben Blocks crack Thorndale, regarded as the best of the three-year-olds that have been seen in action this winter, was a victim of C. Robinsons bad riding and it accounted for his defeat by Fredericktown to which he was conceding 20 pounds. The latters margin of victory was a short head and solely due to the energetic ride that Parke gave him as well as the incompetent one that Robinson put up. Thorndale was opposed by the best three-year-olds that could be mustered here, excepting Black Gold, in the New Orleans Han dicap at a mile, to which ,000 was added by the Business Mens Racing Association. He was conceding all the others much weight, but this seemed of little concern to the public for they installed him a big favorite. Fredericktown likewise had numerous supporters primarily because of Parkes presence in the saddle. The early running was dominated by Leathcrwood and Blotter with Thorndale prominent, but Robihsonat a loss whaT toTSoT His hesitancy at the stretch turn to decide whether to take an outer course or an inner one caused him to suffer interference and, when finally clear and Robinson making up his mind to go next to the inner rail, Parke had brought Fredericktown up with a rush and displaced the others out of the lead. Thorndale at this stage was in close quarters and Robinson began pulling up and going around. Thorndale had to be a good horse to suffer all this and then come with a great rush to miss the verdict by a head. Blotter held on long enough to land in third place. THORNDALES SUPERIORITY. The race emphasized Thorndales superiority over the three-year-olds that have been racing here and that he will rule the favorite in the Louisiana Derby unless Black Gold is a starter. In that case Black Gold, if it is known that he is in fit condition for the mile and an eighth contest, will be the one installed in the post of honor. The splendid racing program provided this afternoon, coupled with the summerlike weather and good track, found instant appeal among the racing enthusiasts here, resulting in one of the largest crowds of the winter being at the Fair Grounds. The sport was in keeping with the occasion and close finishes were the order in most instances. The only fault that could be found was the rough riding indulged in by some of the jockeys. The first two races were particularly rough affairs in which some of the strongest contenders were sufferers. Serving as secondary features to the Now Orleans Handicap was the Sophie Tucker Purse and the Hausmann and Sons Cup Handicap. The latter was at a mile and an eighth and it brought to the post the cream in the handicap division including Revenge and Flint Stone. They had the betting call, but were downed decisively by the veteran, Best Pal, which surprised by staying better than xisual and winning after having led for the entire mile and an eighth. Revenge, with his customary slowness, was far out of it until reaching the stretch, where he came with a terrific rush, but was unable to down the leader. Flint Stone, too, came from far back under weak riding and landed in third place. ADDITIONAL PRIZES. In addition to the purse Best Pal received an ornate silver cup and jockey Kederis, who had the mount, was given a handsome pair of link cuff buttons. The Harry Payne "Whitney colors fared better in the Sophie Tucker Purse when Rocket, a first-time starter here, managed to outstay Cloughjordan in the last few strides, to win by a short head. It was a duel between the pair from the start, with neither of them able to get a seeming advantage at any stage until near the end, where Rocket got his head in front and kept it there. O. Henry landed in third place. Followers of jockey Parke again fared well as a result of the riders success in landing three of his six mounts winners. He rode Rocket, Fredericktown and Bucado. It took his best skill to land them winners and it was by small margins that they succeeded. He was lucky to bring Bucado home the winner, even though he was best, for he was subjected to much interference that Continued on twelfth pace. ROBINSONS BAD RIDING Continued from first page. forced him far back, but he gained steadily ir. the stretch and outstayed Tan Son right at the end. The opening dash, bringing together two-year-olds, to race at half a mile, the first at this distance this winter, was a farcical affair on account of the rough riding on the part of some of the jockeys. Foxmore, by virtue of being clear of interference and having an outer position, won from Channel, another to escape interference. Wilbur C. Whitehead finished in third place despite the poor ride that C. Robinson gave him. Mad Boy was the favored one in the race with Fanny de Coursy also extensively backed, but both might just as well have stayed in the stable for their chances were effectively ruined at the start when some of the others almost threw them by crowding. Stargo was winner of the second race by a head from the suddenly improved Dan Boiling. Many looked to see Stargo disqualified for Breunings action of pilinjr most of the field into a jam on the stretch. Breuning was surprised when questioned why he had done so. He was unaware of it. Some of the youngsters ride blindly without conception of what they are doing or where their mounts are going. Rock Bottom developed sudden fractious-ness and, with Juno to help out, delayed the start in the sixth race considerably. Both were tired when the start came and Miss Meise had an easy time of it leading Red Arrow to the finish, with Shamrock in third place. Jockey Parke received a handsome gold tie pin from Sophie Tucker for riding the winner of the race named in her honor. There were forty-three layers in line during the afternoon and most of them were kept at top speed, so heavy was the volume of business transacted.
