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. TOBOGGAN . _. . HANDICAP TO — and OSMAND *. , BELMONT PARK OPENS Widener Star Makes Auspicious Debut for 1928. » — _ Earl Sande Rides Son of Sweeper to Victory Over Brilliant Field — Scapa Flow Second. NEW YORK, N. Y.. May 17.— Osmand, chestnut son of Sweeper — Ormonda, racing for Joseph E. Widener and ridden by Earl Sande, was returned the winner of the thirty-fifth renewal of the noted Toboggan Handicap, which was the outstanding feature of opening day of the summer meeting of the Westchester Association at its magnificent course, Belmont Park. Osmand scored in a hard drive with Mrs. W. M. Jeffords Scapa Flow, while Happy Argo, from the Kershaw Stable, was third. H. P. Whitneys Twitter was fourth and five other sprinters of note made up the field. The Toboggan Handicap carried an added value of ,000 and was worth ,650 to the winner. A claim of foul was lodged immediately after the finish but following a long delay the original finish was allowed to stand. Osmand turned in a brilliant effort to be winner of the race, for he set the pace throughout, but an eighth out swerved over towards the inner rail and Coltiletti. on Scapa Flow, took back and then came to the outside of him. Osmand negotiated the three-quarters in 1 :11%. Finite was the one withdrawal from the overnight entry list of ten starters. A. Joy-ner stated that following his disappointing race on Wednesday at Jamaica he believed that two such races so close together would work harm to the colt. Despite the threatening skies, a large crowd journeyed to the course to welcome the return of the thoroughbreds to Belmont Park. The Turf and Field Club was the scene of many brilliant luncheons before the running of the first race. Each race brought to the paddock enthusiastic crowds watching the saddling of the different horses for the races, especially in the Toboggan Handicap and the two-year-old racers. CHARGES yOVL. Coltiletti, on Scapa Flow, which finished second, complained against Osmand crossing over on him at the eighth post. However, following a long deliberation, the claim was not allowed. The start was a good one and, from a quick beginning, Osmand assumed the lead. Scapa Flow raced along closely lapped on him for the first eighth, while Happy Argo was in third place, on the rail. Sweep-ster and Chance Play were more or less eliminated when they collided with each other following ths start and then repeatedly bumped each other. Osmand was racing along well in the middle of the course and, passing the junction of the main track, was clear of his opponents. Scapa Flow was still in second place, while Twitter and Happy Argo were lapped and in that order. Osmand responded to pressure when Sande called upon him to shake off the challenge of Scapa Flow. An eighth from home Osmand bore over slightly, and to escape any serious trouble, Scapa Flow was taken back, but was quickly sent up on the outside. Happy Argo was racing well on the inner rail. Through the final eighth Osmand hung to his task in a tenacious manner and at the end had a neck advantage over Scapa Flow, while Happy Argo managed to outstay Twitter by a short head for the third portion of the purse. The return of Sarazen was a pleasing one and the old fellow showed a good effort. SA K YKI WINS. Sankari, the stretch running son of The Finn, was a driving winner of the Broomstick Purse, which brought out a field of distance performers to race one mile. Ridden by L. Fator, he came from far back of the pace established by Snobbish and at the end wore her down to score by a half length. Sanford, from the Rosedale Stable, was third. Snobbish drew away into a long lead at the start and for a brief period threatened to make a runaway affair of the race. However, in the final eighth her early effort began to tell and she succumbed to the rush of Sankari. The latter worked his way up on the outside and closed a big gap. Sanford, after saving ground throughout, was a good third. Thomas Hitchcock had the pleasure of winning the first steeplechase event of the season, when his four-year-old Bangle was returned an easy winner of the International Steeplechase Handicap, over the two-mile course. Bangle had no trouble in showing the way to Fredden Rock, from the Brook- , Continued on eighteenth page. TOBOGGAN TO OSMAND Continued from first page. meade Stable, while Bayard Warrens Canterbury was third. Barleycorn was the one withdrawal ; in fact, the first of the season. There were two bad spills in the running. Hunt, astride Endicott, and Thorndike, on Coronation. Hunt appeared to suffer a bad spill when he fell, but Thorndike was none the worse for his tumble. Coronation was bothered after taking the jump by the riderless Endicott, which crossed over and .bumped him. Bangle was rated along back of the pace which was cut out by Cheramy, the first four fences, but Burgess assumed the lead with no trouble and, once in the lead, allowed his mount to gallop on smoothly in front. Fredden Rock was racing along well within himself and Canterbury was in third position. When Fredden Rock began to make his move between the eighth and ninth fences, he was bothered by the two riderless horses in front of him and was forced to swerve and knocked off his stride. Bangle, however, had speed in reserve and. jumping well, drew into a long lead at the end. Fredden Rock stood a long drive with good courage to withstand the rush of Canterbury but. at the end, Canterbury faltered and dropped back. Bangle earned ,425 for his owner by his winning effort. James Butlers Mosque, under an energetic ride by R. Workman, accounted for the opening race of the meeting in a close finish over J. P. Smiths Sun Forward, while Fair Man, from the Saraspa Stable, was third. The finish was of such a close nature that the winner was undecided until the official placing was displayed. The start was a moving one and Mosque immediately raced into the lead. Sun Forward went after him, while Little Asbestos was racing along in third place, with Fair Man bringing up the rear. The latter was unfortunate shortly after the start and was caught in close quarters and shuffled back. Mosque continued to show the way to the stretch and it was here that Sun Forward moved up on the outside. Through the final sixteenth he was bearing out gradually and, had he raced straight, probably would have "been the winner. Fair Man finished fast on the inside, after saving much ground and was going strongest of all at the end. H. P. Whitneys Zoom, well named son of Pennant — Ruth Law and ridden by Sonny Workman, barely lasted to account for the Fair Play Purse, which attracted a well matched band of two-year-olds over the four and a half furlongs of the Widener Course. He defeated Samuel Ross Too High by a matter of inches, while Blue Larkspur, from the stable of E. R. Bradley, was third. Sixteen fashionaly bred two-year-olds faced the starter in this race, with several of the first time starters attracting considerable attention. There was some delay at the post, but the start was a good one and for the first part there was little to choose as to the leader. Zoom, under energetic riding, assumed the lead and Workman allowed him to draw into a short advantage. Blue Larkspur was racing along the inner rail in a true and determined manner, while Too High was forced to work his way up under pressure. G. D. Widener accounted for the final race of the day with Atlantis, ridden by Sande, thereby completing a double for that rider. Mrs. W. M. Jeffords was second with Bel-dore, while J. E. Maddens Nettie Stone was third. The winner dominated the race all the way and at the end had a safe margin over Beldore. The stewards for the meeting are: Joseph E. Widener, Richard T. Wrilson, W. S. Vos-burgh. Steward representing the National Steeplechase and Hunts Association: A. Henry Hig-ginson. Racing officials for the meeting : Judges. E. C. Smith, C. C. Cornehlsen. Starter, Mars Cassidy. Racing secretary : V. E. Schaumburg. -♦
