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Twenty Years Ago Today Chief Turf Events of May 31, 1904. Racing at Gravesend, Hawthorne, Toronto, Latonia, Union and Delmar Parks at St. Louis. It is no reflection upon the great Domino or the gallant Henry of Navarre, the stouthearted Hastings or the dashing Handspring, or any other that was great as a three-year- , old within a decade, to say that his perform- ance was not better than the splendid triumph of Delhi in the Belmont. Indeed, it is extremely doubtful if this sturdy son of Ben Brush ever had a superior upon the American turf — a statement bordering, possibly, upon the extravagant— but every whit justified by J his victories. At weight for age today it is : extremely doubtful if there lives a four-year-old or a five-year-old that, at a mile and a quarter, is the equal of this grand colt. To a , speed that is dazzling he adds a courage that compels admiration. By winning the Belmont and the Withers Stakes he has earned the , name of being the best three-year-old in train- i mg. A well-known politician who knows the rac- , ing game from A to Z was asked the other i day what chance there would be for the abr - . lition of racing in New York by the legislature. His reply was: "I know that a certain clique intend to make a formidable assault on racing in 1905. It was planned some time , ago for personal gains, but things are not ripe yet to begin the crusade. When the attack begins it will be to abolish racing, or rather, betting, beginning with the fall of next year. But the crusaders may find intense opposition up the state where the agricultural societies are benefiting yearly by the state tax collected from the race tracks. Then, again, racing is so intensely popular with the public, including all classes, that an enemy to the game will find himself up against a stone wall. You will not see racing injured at all; no I matter what kind of a scheme is sprung." Over a track fetlock deep in mud, Major Daingerfield defeated the crack Africander at one mile and a sixteenth in Gravesends feature race, the Parkway Handicap of ,000 added. Africander conceded nine pounds actual weight to his older rival and for a while , looked all over the winner, but tired suddenly in the stretch and gave way when Major Daingerfield challenged. Himself set out to ] make the pace, but was passed at the first quarter post by Damon, which made the run- i ning to the half, where Himself again assumed command, holding it until Africander made his bid just after entering the stretch. The Hampton Stable colt was going easily and seemed an easy winner until Major Dainger- ! field, coming fast, challenged him and he gave wav quickly. I i . i
