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EPiNARD LOSES AGAIN Finishes Unplaced in Running of the Laurel Stakes. Wise Counsellor an Easy Winner French Champion Suffers His Greatest Reverse. LAUREL, Md., Oct 18. Pierre Weitheim-ers French champion Epinard again went down to defeat in a race in this country, when he finished unplaced in the Laurel Stakes, the big feature of todays program at the Maryland State Fairs popular course. And it was the most disappointing race run by the dstinguished French invader, which finished sacond in all three of the International specials, for which he was brought to this country to meet the best from American horses. It was Frederick Burtons Wise Counsellor, winner over Epinard in the First International, that carried off the Laurel Stakes, while S. D. Riddles Big Blaze finished second, and G. A. Cochrans Sun Flag was third. Then came H. P. Whitneys Initiate in front of the French star, Epinard. There was considerable delay at the post when the horses came out for the Laurel Stakes, and Big Blaze was principally to blame, when he repeatedly broke through the barrier. Epinard had an outside position and Kummer went away whipping, but the colt did not show the electrical speed that has marked his other races, and was forced to go wide on the first turn. It was leaving the back stretch that Kummer made an attempt to go to "Wise Counsellor, which led from the start, but Epinard would not respond. Kummer had found a position next to the inside rail and was hard at work on the colt, but the Frenchman seemed deficient of speed and it was evident even then that he was well beaten. As Epinard dropped back. Sun Flag showed in second place, but Big Blaze had begun his challenge and ho dashed up on the outside in the final eighth to head the Cochran colt In the meantime, Wise Counsellor was home an easy winner by two and a half lengths, while Big Blaze beat Sun Flag a like distance. The Cochran horse was leading Initiate by a length and a half and Epinard was lapped on the filly and two lengths before Rustic and My Play. BELOW EPI3CAB.D STANDARD. The race was far below all that Epinard has shown since he has come to this coun-ery, and it was evident that he was far from being himself, and he raced with both forefeet wrapped in tape by reason of foot injury. The defeat was a stunning one to those who had seen Epinard in his previous races, and Clarence Kummer, who had the mount said after the race that the colt would not run for him and performed as though he had trained off entirely. Epinard is also eligible for the Washington Handicap, a mile and a quarter race, to be run the last day of the Laurel meeting, but in the light of his performance this afternoon, it seems hardly possible that he will be sent to the post There was a considerable delegation of sportsman came over from New York to view the Laurel Stakes and among them were Pierre Wertheimer, owner of Epinard; Everett Haynes, who rode him in his three International Specials, and Martin Hofer, a friend of the French sportsman. Clarence Kummer, who made the trip to ride the colt, and his father-in-law were also on the race special, as was Francis Nelson, steward on the big Canadian race courses and one of the best-known racing officials in the country. Mr. Nelson was accompanied by George Carruthers of Winnipeg, himself an ardent turfman and a former amateur rider of note. , H. A. Buck combined business with pleasure when he made the trip in the interests of the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase of the United Hunts. He announced that it had been decided to have a special car transport horses from Laurel to Belmont Park for the running. STEEPLECHASE TO H0UDI3TI. The companion piece to the Laurel Stakes was the Chevy Chase Steeplechase Handicap, and it brought about a good contest with Joe. E. Wideners Houdini winner from Mrs. J. Ambrose Clarks Tassel, while Walter J. Salmons Courteous saved third from Top Notch, bearing the silks of J. K. L. Ross. There were two mishaps in the running. Damask and Sky Scraper II. going down at the eighth and ninth fences respectively. The Chevy Chase was at two miles and a half for an added value of ,000. Continued on tenth pace. EPINARD LOSES AGAIN Continued from first page. It was Tassel and Courteous that cut out the pace for a turn of the field and the pair of them were well lapped with Sky Scraper TL under restraint back of them and Hou-dini galloping strongly still further away. Damask was taken back until he was rather far back while Top Notch was going well ,in front of him. The elimination of Damask at the eighth jump had no effect on the positions at the time as he was well back of the company, but Sky Scraper IL was a real contender when he made his bobble that sent Kennedy from the saddle. All this time Tassel and Courteous continued to show the way, but finally Courteous began to tire and as he dropped back beaten, Byers called on Houdini, which moved up until he was close after TasseL But the Berilldon filly was not through and as she hung to her lead, Byers had to shake the old gelding up to catch her. At the top of the field he was alongside but Tassel hung on with remarkable gameness and they were still lapped at the last jump though Houdini was first over. From there to the finish he drew out to win with something to spare. Tassel easily beat the tired Courteous for second place and Top Notch was a distant fourth. Maiden two-year-olds faced the starter in the second race, and the Glen Riddle Farms Gun Boat ruled favorite. He was beaten by a head in a game finish. Samuel Ross All Gone got the verdict after an exciting finish. Laddie Buck threatened to make a runaway of this race, dashing into a big lead with the rise of the barrier and outran the others to the last eighth, easily giving away to both All Gone and Gun Boat, though holding third place safe. The St. Clements occasioned considerable excitement. It was at a mile, calling for a start at the same point chosen for the sending of Epinard on his way in the Laurei. The start was delayed four minutes by the fractiousness of half a dozen juveniles. Candy Kid made all the pace under excellent handling by Ivan Parke, and easily completed the eight furlongs three lengths in front of Retire, his" closest pursuer throughout Many did not like Candy Kid at the distance, because he is a son of Peter Pan, getter of fast quitters. They did not think ho would go a mile. He could have gone a hundred miles in front of the kind that opposed him in the St. Clements. He never was extended. Hurry Inn was third if that means anything to you. The St. Clements Purse, for two-year-olds at cue mile, was run as the third race and resulted in an easy victory for II. P. Whitneys Candy Kid. The son of Peter Pan was an odds-on choice and ran accordingly, leading all the way by a safe margin and never seriously menaced. Retire was his nearest pursuer throughout and, though he failed to overtake the "Whitney color bearer, held Hurry Inn safe fcr second place. The race was strictly between this trio.
