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PREAKNESS STAKES TO COVENTRY RICH RACE TO MAIDEN ♦ Carries G. A. Cochran Colors to Unexpected Triumph. H. P. Whitneys Backbone Finishes Second and H. P. Head-leys Almadel Takes Third. ♦ BALTIMORE, Md., May 8.— Another Preakness has been run. The honor and fame of winning it fell in an unexpected quarter. The rich fixture was renewed here today for the twenty-ninth time and it was won by the lightly regarded maiden Coventry, owned by Gifford A. Cochran, ridden by Clarence Kummer and trained by William Duke. Backbone, carrying the popular light blue and brown silks of Harry Payne Whitney, was second. Almadel, from the stable of Hal Price Headley and the Wests only representative in the field, was third. Chantey, which ran in the colors of Mrs. Payne V hitneys Greentree Stable and coupled with Backbone, was fourth at the finish. With ideal conditions prevailing, the winner ran the distance in 1 :59. This is three-fifths of a second slower than the track record for the mile and three-sixteenths at which distance the stake was decided today, ihe Pimlico mark is held jointly by The Porter and Big Blaze. There were twelve starters in the Preakness, making the gross value of the stake f.63,725. This included the 0,000 added by the Maryland Jockey Club, subscription, starting fees and the forfeits. The stake closed a month ago with 6! nominations. Th -net value to the winner was 2,700 ; second nac". ,000 ; third place, ,000 and fourth, ,000. WOODLAWN VASE TO VICTOR. In addition to the financial reward, the famous Woodlawn Vase was presented to the winning owner by Governor Albert C. Ritchie, governor of Maryland. This historic trophy was added to the stake by "Bud" Fisher, who won it last year with Nellie Morse, when it was first offered in Preakness competition. Coventrys victory was a testimonial to the ability of his jockey. Kummer rode a heady race and was loudly applauded although the result was a big surprise. Kummer laid off a killing early pace, cleverly avoiding interference and other possible mishaps. When he made his bid, Coventry responded in a manner that electrified the 30,000 spectators, and won easily. Coventry, which is a son of Pegofol— Sun Queen, a Rock Sand mare, and was bred by Edward Simms. was a costly yearling purchase. He was one of six baby thoroughbreds, which Mr. Cochran bought for 40,000 from the master of the Xalapa Farm in private sale at Saratoga in 1S2S. The colt came to the post in the Preakness with the experience gained in only two previous race*. Coventrys first start was at the United Hunts meeting this spring, when he ran second to Silver Fox. His start at Jamaica, when he finished in the ruck behind Backbone, Voltaic and Swope, some of the rivals he met again today, served to lighten him up for the Preakness. There was much roughing in the running of the stake. Single Foot, Chantey. Swope and Prince of Bourbon were the chief sufferers. Johnny MaiLen, who was astride Maid at Arms, was held to blame for rough riding and the stewards suspended him for the remainder of the meeting. "0 HUHIIY AT START. When the field reached the barrier, starter James Milton did not hasten the start. Backbone was stubborn about taking his position next to the rail and Milton waited patiently until he got into line. The others gave little trouble. Backbone was the first in motion, with Chantey, Swope, Single Foot and Maid at Arms only the smallest fraction of a second behind him. The field was spread out across the entire width of the track, so there was little jostling in the opening dash for running positions. The early racing was burning and Kummer widely eased Coventry away from it going into t no back stretch. The first quarter was run in :23% and the half-mile post was reached in :47%. That was suicidal to many of the starters. Backbone continued to show the way through the back stretch, with Edisto a length and a half away, leading the pursuit. Voltaic moved up to third place and Almadel. with a mighty rush that carried him from the ruck, loomed into the contention. Kummer bided his time with Coventry. It was not until the far turn was reached that Coventry became conspicuous. As ho Continued on twentieth i age. PREAKNESS TO COVENTRY Continued from flrtt pare. went up on the outside and when the tap of the stretch was reached he was at Backbones saddle girth. Almadel held to his task with courage, while Edisto and Voltaic dropped out of it. Chantey also had been eased back by Parke on the back stretch and another run on the* upper turn. When straightened out for the last three-sixteenths, Coventry had Backbone headed with Almadel and Chantey following, and the others obviously out of it. Coventry quickly raced Backbone into defeat. He drew away steadily and won by four lengths, with much in reserve. Almadel finished fast, and Backbone had to be ridden out to the last ounce to save second place by half a length. Chantey was a bad fourth, ten lengths behind Almadel, and only a head in front of By Hisself. There have been more notable renewals of the Preakness in point of importance, but none was of a greater artistic or popular success. It was Baltimores gala turf day and everything contributed to make the oc-castion one long to be remembered. Weather and racing conditions could not have been better and the crowd was one of the largest that ever thronged the old hill top course The fear entertained last night that rain I might mar the big event was dispelled this morning at sunrise. Old Sol was in his most benign mood and as he appeared in all his glory, the temperature arising with him. As raco time approached and devotees of the sport began to wend their way to the track, the sun beamed from a cloudless sky. Spectators found their wraps and coats an en-cumberance and a discomfort. A warm breeze that was really seepy wafted through the stands. It was barely strong enough to straighten out the red and white flags on the steeplechase obstacles. TRACK AT ITS BEST. The track was as fast as it possibly could be. It was almost too hard. Track superintendent Brennan carefully groomed the racing strip for days in preparation for the Preakness and throughout the morning hours and right up to post time he had a squad of workmen putting the finishing touches to it Half a dozen teams circled the course harrowing the footing. Between times it was sprinkled heavily. The drenching served the purpose of laying the dust and making the going more grateful to horses of tender underpinning. The crowd began to assemble early. The gates were open to the public before noon, but the hour was none too early. There were patrons waiting for box offices to open From noon on there was a steady flow of racegoers through the gates. It did not diminish until after the first race had been run, but even right up to the time the Preakness field paraded there was a trickle of late comers swelling the gathering. The grandstand was filled to capacity early and at two oclock the spectators began to gather in the infield. Every seat was occupied in the grandstand and clubhouse lawns were a solid mass of restless humanity, almost from the three-sixteenths post at the head of the stretch to a sixteenth below the finish line. Several thousand found the vantage points in the infield. Old Pimlico never presented a more colorful appearance. The gayly colored lawns and hats of the ladies so fashionable this season, made the picture one of real beauty. From the upper press stand down under the eaves of the grandstand it was like looking down upon a bed of tulips in full bloom. REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. The crowd was one of quality as well as quantity. In the clubhouse were noted almost all the fashionables of the turf of the East and not a few from the West. There were many luncheon parties. Many of the spectators came from distant points. Several special trains were run from Washington, Philadelphia, Wilmington and New York. It was utterly impossible to make ones way through the crowd of spectators. When one deserted his seat he could not get back to it. Many were unable to reach the pari-mu-tuel machines and were obliged to enjoy the sport for the sport of it alone. The opening race was a steeplechase handicap with claiming conditions at two miles and a quarter. It was a thrilling contest and whetted the appetite for the big event. There were eight starters of which several finished. The ridiculously named Houyhnhnm was an easy winner. Grenadier was second and Chuckle finished third. S. Veitch had the mount on t.ie winner and he rode a heady race, waiting behind the pace made by Chuckle. He took the lead in the back field the second time around and thereafter held the "opponents safe. He won by-four lengths, pulled up to the driving Grenadier which took second place by fifteen lengths. GAVOTTE BY A NECK. The second race, a four and a half furlongs contest for two-year-old maidens and winners of one race resulted in a nerve tingling finish with W. J. Salmons Gavotte defeating Welshot by a neck and the winners stablemate Display, outgaming Flicker for third place four lengths back. There were nine starters. It was Gavottes second victory in as many starts and she performed like a good filly. Muffet took the lead from her rivals after a good start but could not draw away. Welshot stuck to her aide and they went around the turn out of the back stretch, racing head and head. Gavotte und.r under Maiben led the pursuit a length behind with Blaze and Flicker keeping pace with her. Coming into the stretch Hainan made his move. He forged up to Muffet and Welshot. Muffet gave way when challenged but Welshot disputed the issue. At the eighth post the pair drew away from the others and an exciting drive ensued. Muffet tired in tin-last eighth and fell back rapidly. Display meanwhile came gamely under the whip and carried the Salmon pink into another money-position at tin- finish. Another real horse race developed in the ■ third, which was a thre -quarters dash for | platers. There were eight sart.rs. The result was in doubt until the numbers were i posted. The Seagram Stables Head Cover was declared the winner over Mrs. R I. ! Millers Wellfinder. The third horse was I Lady Classen. Many thought that Well-finder had won in the close finish, but they tailed to take the angle into consideration. With an ther rider up Wellfinder possibly would bare won by a margin great enough to leave no question of the result L. Brhaefer had the mount and finished w. akly in comparison with Kenm dy, who piloted Head Cover. | | ■ | i ! I | There was a bit of crowding after the break, but it was not sufficient to provide those involved in it with an excuse for not winning. Sarko was in front at the chute, but when the main track was reached it was Wellfinder that was showing the way. The old gelding opened a one length lead going up the back stretch, with Lady Classen and Sarko running head and head. Head Cover was far back, but obviously under stout restraint. Hudgins eased Lady Classen back slightly when the turn was reached, while Sarko sensed up to Wellfinders tmarters. Head Cover gradually improved his position coming into the stretch. In the final drive, Schaefer apparently did not realize the danger of Head Covers bid :ifter Sarko had dropped back beaten. It was the tightest kind of a fit and only the judges were in a position to call the finish correctly. Schaefer redeemed himself in the fourth race. He landed Edward F Whitneys Lucifer the winner of the mile and a sixteenth claiming handicap. Prince Tii Tii, racing in the colors of Flamingo Farm, was second, wnile Dream of the Valley was third. There were five other starters, but they never figured seriously in the contention. There was a delay at the post caused by Soggarth Aroon. When the start finally came, it was a good one. In the dash to the first turn, Lang drove S ggarth Aroon into the lead, but Lucifer and Dream of the Valley were right there with him. Entering the back s. retch Soggarth Aroon was still in front, but the other two COUld not be shaken off. Prince Tii Tii, with Maiben up. was within close striking distance. Half way to the far turn, Dream of the Valley moved up on the outside and wrested the lead from Soggar.h Ar-.on. Lucif r was under restraint as was Prince Tii Tii. Dr.am of the Valley and Soggarth Aroon moved slightly away from the others com- ing into the stretch, but their pace forcing efforts counted heavily against them. With another eighth to go both Lucifer and Prince Tii Tii closed in. Soggarth Aroon tired under top weight and fell away. Lucifer and Prince Tii Tii forged by Dream of the Valley and he also tired. In a hard drive. Lacifef beat Prince Tii Tii by a neck. I i . am of the Valley lasted long enough to save third by a length and a half.
