view raw text
FEATURE RACE THRILLS Heads and Necks Separate Four at Jefferson Park. . Magna Mater Gets Up in Final Strides to Defeat Bright Knot and Wise Seller. NEW ORLEANS, La., Jan. 14 Athough less fashionable horses again started in all of the seven races decided over a heavy track at Jefferson Park today, the sport was interesting and quite fittingly the more spectacular of the several thrilling finishes came with the running of the fifth race, which was the feature. It fell to Octave Viaus Magna Mater, with Bright Knot second and Wise Seller third. Six others participated in the race, given over exclusively to three-year-olds and run over six furlongs. Wise Seller, odds-on favorite, furnished by B. S. Michell and ridden by Gilbert Elston, was overtaken by both the winner and Bright Knot within a short distance of the finish, and the end found the Viau filly leading Bright Knot by a head. The latter led the favorite for second by a neck, and the favorite was only a head in front of Tonight. The choice flattered as no other performer of the afternoon when he rushed into a long lead and dominated in commanding fashion until the final three-sixteenths was reached. His speed diminished while the more determined of his rivals began gaining on him. As he tired Wise Seller swerved, but there was no interference and the hopes of his supporters were high until within a few strides of the finish, where the winner and Bright Knot headed him. Magna Mater was a factor from the start, while Bright Knot entered the forward division with a rush on the stretch turn and a likely, well balanced performance was turned in by Tonight. THREATENING WEATHER. The defeat of Wise Seller, notwithstanding the favorites enjoyed more than average success and the racing was well received. Somewhat threatening weather prevailed, and it held down the patronage. Bill Lutz, hammered down to short odds by strong last minute support, was a decisive winner over Bunthorne, Panzola "and others in the first race. Drawing away from his rivals in the final two of the six furlongs, the successful Lutz colorbearer won by three lengths, while Bunthorne outstayed Panzola by a length for second place. The latter was closely followed by Participate and By Product. For a half mile the winner, Bunthorne and John Speed raced in close alignment, well in advance of the nine others and as John Speed quit badly in the stretch, Bunthorne failed to provide the winner with serious contention, yet came to the finish in resolute fashion as Panzola outfinished Participate and By Product. Another field of twelve faced the barrier for the second rce, also for older platers, but two were eliminated at the start when Ragaoma refused to start and Golden Thrush unseated Carl Meyer, who was uninjured. Night Cry, racing for J. H. Downing of Lexington, was the winner and his Continued on second page. FEATURE RACE THRILLS .Continued from first page. victory was a popular one. He won easily, with Lucky Drift second in a nose finish with Wildolive. Wildolive set most of the pace and, under a strong ride, held on better than in recent efforts, yet was unable to withstand the winners rush and just failed to outstay the persistent Lucky Drift. Patricia Clare, second choice to the winner, tired rapidly after showing a flash of early speed. Pat Garitty rode Smoldering, racing for A. Schwartz to victory in the third race, over three-quarters, the mount being Gar-itty"s first here this season. Smolderings success was in the nature of a mild upset and was easily attained, with Tat second and Chatterway third. Apprentice A. Rogers, who had the mount on Chris. Paschen, almost eliminated that gelding at the starting point j Unlucky, Pollys Folly and Silver Wave were the early leaders, but the winner and i Tat were never a great distance back and, together with Chatterway, which came from far back, easily outstayed the former trio in the last eighth. R. Dohles Gertrude Reade and apprentice J. Neel comprised the winning combination in the fourth race and the result was a popular one. The finish here was of the interesting variety, the winner getting away with the honors by a neck over Fortune, which came through with one of his good efforts and, but for being impeded by Wild Laurel just after the final quarter was reached, might have outstayed the winner. Despite a weak and poorly judged ride by J. Sylvester, Constance Ann saved third and Wild Laurel, leading four others, was fourth. ! Sporting Blues was eliminated when he bolted while leading the small field to the second turn. Red Tarn, one of the choices, proved best in the field of twelve which raced a mile and seventy yards in the sixth race, for which St. Jim had the largest following. The latter finished third, second going to Intruder, which was a length back of the winner and a neck in front of St. Jim at the finish. The winner encountered much adverse racing luck, but smartly overcame it and, wearing down St. Jim in the final drive, was not seriously threatened by Intruder, which held on stubbornly. The latter was seen in the early lead and came out of the engagement a trifle lame.
