view raw text
JACK HIGH BY A HEAD « Sunvir* Only Opponent of Widener Star in Handicap. • Sun Beau Excused From Belmont Feature — Buddy Basil, On Tap and Craigco Win. ♦ NEW YORK, N. Y., May 29.— Jack High, which A. J. Joyner brought back to the races so successfully for George D. Widener, was winner of the Sun Briar Handicap at Belmont Park today. It was an overnight event and he was only opposed by Mrs. K. E. Hitts Sunvir, to which he gave away thirteen pounds. It was an excellent spectacle, though only two started and "Pony" McAtee, who had the mount on Jack High, made it a real spectacle when the margin of victory was only a head. There had been a promise that four would go to the post and the chance for a meeting between Jack High and Willis Sharpe Kilmers Sun Beau was what was of importance. Sun Beau was excused on the plea that he was not himself physically, while it had been a mistake to send out the name of Joseph E. Wideners Mr. Sponge, for the weight had not been accepted by Henry McDaniel. This race was reason enough for an excellent crowd being on hand. The weather was of mid-summer warmth and the track was at its best. In the Sun Briar Handicap Jack High set the pace throughout, but McAtee was content to rate the son of John P. Grier along without attempting to ask him for speed. As a result of this Sunvir was alongside for the entire distance. Inside the final furlong Renick made a vigorous move on the son of Sun Briar, and he responded so gamely that McAtee swung his whip once on Jack High. MAINTAINS ADVANTAGE. The Widener horse responded cheerfully to the call and for the remainder of the race he went along not more than a head to the good but was able to hold that advantage indefinitely. Jack High came out of the race a trifle sore, but it is to be hoped that there will be no return of the leg ailment that kept him away from the races most of last year. Mrs. W. E. Martins Craigco, racing in improved fashion, scored a close decision in the opening four and a half furlongs dash for juveniles. He was winner over George D. Wideners St. Mica, with Frances D., from the Pasadena Stable, saving third easily from Benjamin Blocks Morush. There waa an accident when T. H. Somervilles Royal Al was kicked in the mouth while at the post. He was so injured that starter Cas-sidy ordered his tack removed. He was left at the post. A stirring finish resulted in the first of the races at one mile and a furlong for cheap ones when J. L. ONeals Buddy Basil just got up in the closing strides to win form Billy Blake, from the Meadow Farm Stable, with Captain P. M. Walkers Royal Panoply finishing a rather distant third over Ruby Keller. BY SMALL MARGIN. Devils Due was the one to cut out the running, but Billy Blake was heading the others, and when the maiden was through he went into command. Buddy Basil had been rated well back of the pace, but he came with a determined rush under a vigorous ride by Kurtsinger, and his margin of victory was only a head. Royal Panoply had raced along forwardly in the field, and he hung on well but was four lengths back of the first two. Al Jolsons On Tap beat the fillies and mares that were brought together in the six furlong dash over the main course that was the third offering. Lady Capulet, from the Tranquility Stable, was the one to finish second, with the Greentree Stables Robins Egg saving third from Chicsu and Avenger, a C. V. Whitney starter, was fifth. A double was recorded for George D. Widener and jockey McAtee when Errant, a daughter of St. James and Last Straw, was winner of the fifth. This was a four and a half furlongs dash for maiden juvenile fillies and it was in the closing stages that McAtee found his way through to score over Joseph E. Wideners Stagecraft, with the Greentree Stables Delicacy a close third before Mrs. Julia Paiges Featherweight.
