view raw text
1 . 1 5 I 1 j 1 c t c ] 1 l i 1 1 1 1 • 1 1 1 1 ] i ; I I j : • : 1 1 : . 1 j 1 1 . i 1 ;j j t . i . r, 1 1 , j rj . j lj r . I - ] . j 1 1 I - e II -1 of f e Y * s is s ij ] -| " ;M rj ! WONDERFUL CONTEST • Grand National Steeplechase at Belmont Park a Thriller. ♦ Dan IV. Outgames Old Duettiste After Brilliant and Spectacular Race Through the Field. ♦ NEW YORK, N. T., June 12.— There has seldom been a better running of the Grand National Steeplechase than that staged at Belmont Park today, when J. S. Cosdens imported fencer Dan IV., under the top weight of 158 pounds, outgamed Joseph E. Wideners old gelding Duettiste to win by a couple of lengths, while a dozen lengths further back was Fleischmanns Carabinier, another importation. Walter J. Salmons Courteous followed, with Mrs. K. E. Hitts Kate ODay last of the company. It was a hard fought battle over the heart-breaking three-mile distance over nineteen fences and was worth ,100 to the winner. The conditions were again decidedly unfavorable for the racing, with frequent drizzles of rain, while the temperature was uncomfortably low, but the lure of the Grand National brought out a big attendance and the sport was worthy of the patronage. Not Much, handicapped at 163 pounds, was one to decline the issue in the Grand National and others that were scratched were Houdini and Rampage. This left Dan IV. the top weight with 158 pounds as his impost, while Duettiste carried 150 pounds, making him at equal weights with Carabinier. COURTEOUS LEADS THE WAT. From a good start Courteous was in front and Kate ODay was in second place, while Byers was standing in his stirrups in a vain effort to take Duettiste back. The old fellow was inclined to be rank and Byers was ut-terly unable to place him without a hard fight. Dan IV. was more amenable to placing and Norman Kennedy had him under double wraps and galloping strongly back of the Widener gelding. McNaid took hold of Carabinier from the start and he was loping along lengths back of the others, but going smoothly and jumping well. It was not long until Kate ODay had enough of chasing Courteous and she soon dropped out of all contention, while Duettiste, every time Byers would ease his pull, would move up on the pacemaker. Dan IV. continued to follow well within striking distance of the Widener hope but he was willing to be placed. At the lower end of the field, the last end of the course, Kennedy made his first move with Dan IV. and as he did Byers permitted Duettiste to step along. The result was they both went to Courteous in half a dozen strides. As they came alongside Veitch shook up the Salmon jumper and he held to them. There it was that Kennedy eased back slightly and left Duettiste to put the pace- maker away. It was accomplished but at tome cost. DUETTISTE SHOWS GAMEXESS. Then, at the top of the field, and only two fences from home, Kennedy called on Dan IV. seriously and the pair went along closely locked over the fence second from home. Duettiste fought along with rare gameness, but it was of no avail. Stride by stride Dan IV. wore him down and though Kennedy took no chances, and rode him out vigorously he was two lengths to the good at the finish. Carabinier closed a big gap when McNair called on him, but he was still a dozen lengths back of the first two. It was a won-r derful renewal of the old fixture and a race that severely tested the courage of both the horso and the rider. It was a desperate finish that came out of the running of the first race over the five-eighths straight-away and the Joaquin Stables Master Billy was winner by a narrow margin from W. R. Coes Dugout, while A. J. Contentos Mervinia was third. The winner was ridden by jocken Maiben and was a forward factor from the start. He closed resolutely under pressure but dropped his head a few yards from the finish, but Master Billy, under hard urging, came again and at the end was winner by a narrow margin. Crumple, racing for Mrs. K. E. Hitt, was an easy winner of the closing race of the afternoon, at five and a half furlongs. Ridden by jockey Sande the son of Ed Crump had a wide margin at the end over the Ran-f, cocas Stables Nina, while J. E. Wideners San ford was third. Dominique, under a well-timed ride by Sande, was an easy winner of the seven-eighths claiming handicap that was the third offering. Sun Rajah, from the Twin Oak Stable, raced to second place and P. S. 1*. Randolphs King Albert saved third from Bonnie Omar. From a good start Banter. Dominique and Sun Rajah went to the front, but Banter was in such a hurry that Sande eased Dominique back slightly, while the other two went on. Schuttinger rushed Banter until he was two lengths clear and Sande moved up gradually with Dominique until he was with Banter swinging for home. ___ Continued on tenia page. "" WONDERFUL CONTEST Continued from first page. He went on by, opened up a pood lead and was winner by something more than three lengths. Sun Rajah came again in the stretch to take second place, while King Albert closed something of a gap to be third and Banter quit badly after his flash of early speed. The mile and a sixteenth for three-year-ohls gave Johnny Maiben his second winning mount of the day when He had the leg up on August Belmonts I.adkin. He stole into a long lead with the son of Fair Ilay and there was no time that the result was in doubt. Fator had Finn Lag in second place through the backstretch and was rating him along there, depending on a late drive to catch the leader. Fredericktown was outrunning Kd Lowe, the only other starter. In the stretch Fator called on Finn Lag, but to no avail and through the Ia3t eighth Fredericktown raced over him to take second place easily, while be saved the third from Fd Lowe. There were a lot of cheap ones performing in the mile of the fifth race and it brought about a scrambling finish, in which Uosa Yeta was first home over C. Turners War Mask and Mrs. A. Swenkea lloyal Charlie saved third. Keenan, War Mask and Pat Casey were the ones to cut out most of the running and Uosa Yeta came with her winning rush on the outside in the stretch, while Hoyal Charlie also closed some ground. Kight after the start Lilly M. was rather badly crowded back and was in close quarters on the rail all through the early stages, having scant chance.
