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! j I i • : ; , SOLACE BEATS WHITNEY PAIR • Wins Prince of Wales Handicap in Good Time on Heavy Track. ♦ Magnifico Makes Game Challenge When Hey There Falters — Disagreeable Weather Affects Woodbine Attendance. ♦— TORONTO, Ont., May 27.— Solace, the veteran sprinter which races so successfully for the Seagram Stable, was returned winner of the Prince of Wales Handicap, which featured the program served for the semi-final day of the meeting at the Woodbine course of the Ontario Jockey Club today. Opposed by three others, two of which performed for Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, the Seagram racer displayed some of his old-time quality when he covered the route over a holding and treacherous track in the good time of 1:15%. Magnifico and Hey There were the two Whitney entrants, and they accounted for second and third as named, while Westy Junior, the only other aspirant, was never a real threat after the initial furlong. Racing for the sixth day of the present term was conducted under the most disagreeable conditions imaginable, and it was a brave gathering, but of the smallest size in years that braved the elements to witness the sport. The rain that fell heavily during the night, and which ceased at intervals during the running of the program, failed to seriously dampen the spirit of those in attendance, and some worthy racing took place. The Prince of Wales Handicap was fourth on the card, and when Mexico, from the S. W. Labrot stable, was excused from his engagement because of striking his foreleg during a preliminary gallop during the morning, only four were left to compete. Solace was installed the choice on the strength of his recent good effort and his well known ability in the footing that prevailed. From a perfect start Hey There went out with Westy Junior to show the way, and both riders were sending their mounts along at a rapid clip. Solace was able to hold a slight lead over Magnifico, and for the first half mile there was hardly any change in their respective positions. Westy Junior, however, was done after reaching the turn, and E. Legere came along with Solace. Hey There was unable to hold his lead when the Seagram horse challenged, but Magnifico was sent up on the inside and for the next furlong Solace and the Whitney sprinter fought bitterly for leadership. Solace was able to gain a half length margin when reaching the final furlong post, and thereafter Legere had him under stout restraint to register by a like distance. Hey There was five lengths farther back, and then followed Westy Junior beaten an additional two lengths. The Thick Thorn Steeplechase, under claiming conditions that had eleven entrants to vie for honors over the two and a quarter miles distance, resulted in a driving triumph for Mrs. J. Bosley, Jr.s Blue Banner when he finished the trying test over a deep and holding course to beat William Garths My Care. The Brier Farm Stable furnished Balmoral Tattoo to save third by a big margin over Mrs. F. A. Clarks Rockdale. Of the eleven that entered into contention for the long grind, three failed to complete the route. Dragon de Vertu, which formed part of the Bosley entry, lost his rider at the fifth jump, while both Jack Whittier and Olan C. the pair that set the early pace, found their task hopeless and were pulled up badly distressed. Blue Banner came from well back after the first mile and, engaging My Care in a long duel through the final half mile, out-finished the Garth jumper on the flat after the last obstacle, to be winner by four lengths. My Care, badly distressed at the end, retained a twenty lengths gap over Balmoral Tattoo, with the others strung out badly. Precious Dollar, bearing the silks of Admiral Cary T. Grayson, turned in a sparkling performance to account for the Victorious Plate, fashioned for juvenile fillies that was the intrductory dash. This saw seven others opposing the son of Stimulus — Precious Stone, and Mrs. F. A. Clarks Chatwater saved second honors after making most of the running, while William Garths Seemego landed third over C. V. Whitneys Slapstick.
