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g 1» HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF $ § Probably never in the long history of the Suburban Handicap, which was first run in 1884, was there such a stirring finish as came out of the renewal at Belmont Park Saturday. It is always desired that such big events in racing bring good contests, walkovers are never popular, and when the best horse comes to the finish line battling the thrill is intensified. It means more than a fight among the platers, for those of the top class fight to the last ounce of courage and naturally it becomes an epic struggle. And the Westchester Racing Association was likewise fortunate in the finish that came in the running of the Withers of last Thursday. In the Suburban Bateau Petee-Wrack, Toro and Sunfire all took part in that great battle, to sweep over the line virtually inches apart, in the order named, while in the Withers Blue Larkspur, Chestnut Oak, and Jack High furnished the thrill. These are two of the finishes that will never be forgotten, and many a veteran of the turf who has not missed a running of either of these two great features has pronounced the finishes the greatest in his memory. It was unfortunate that there should have been a claim of foul lodged in each race, and the stewards are to be commended in not allowing either claim. In the Withers, George Fields, who rode Chestnut Oak, charged that Mack Garner, on Blue Larkspur, had crowded his mount into the fence. That happened, but it was an accident after the finish had been passed and it naturally had nothing to do with the running of the race. In the Suburban the claim was made that Eddie Ambrose, on Bateau, the winner, had pushed Petee-Wrack out of the way in order to bring Bateau through next to the rail to score the victory. Ambrose admitted he had pushed the Macomber colt, but explained that it was to prevent his mount being put over the inner rail when ODonnell had crowded him. As this happened ODonnell was the offender, whether intentionally or not it does not matter. Bateau had begun her run through on the inside and was well lapped on Petee-Wrack when ODonnell came over. The filly had to be lapped on the leader or it would have been impossible for Ambrose to push the colt out of his way. It does not take much of a push to throw a horse off his stride, when he is in full flight, but Bateau was coming through nobly when all this happened and but for this slight interference she would undoubtedly have won by a greater margin than a nose. The running of the Suburban just about eliminated Joseph E. Wideners Chance Shot from his proud place at the top of the handicap division. The son of Fair Play had worked brilliantly for the handicap and tried, but could find no good excuse for him in the running. He was away well and through the early running appeared to have abundance of racing room. He was avoiding the early pace, though it was not excessively fast, and then when he was called on by Willie Garner he tired badly and dropped completely out of the running. His performance was far below the promise of his trials for the big test. It is possible that Sunfire, though only beaten two noses and a head, might have been winner had he not raced so close to the pace all the way, and it has been charged that Pascuma erred in permitting Toro to drop so far out of the running in the early stages. But after all, when these two were right there figuring it out to the last nod. it is doubtful if different handling would have brought a different result. Bateau was in a running mood, and when she is so disposed she is capable of just what she accomplished Saturday, but like some of the others of the Man o War family, she is not at all times in a running mood. From any angle it was a marvelous race and one that will never be forgotten. It was only the third time in the history of the Suburban that a mare has been victorious, the others to add their names to the roster of winners being Imp, as a five-year-old in 1899. led home Bannockburn, and Warrenton and the two others have been fillies. Beldame, as a force in 1905, beat Proper and First Mason and then came Bateau, also a four-year-old, beating two such colts as Petee-Wrack, winner of the Metropolitan, and Toro, winner of the Grainger Memorial. «
