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CELERITAS HANDY VICTORY 1 Triumphant in Thick Thorn Steeple- chase, Feature at Woodbine. t Watson and Lindberg Hook "Dp in Riding Duel in Fifth, tfhe Former Winning on Frigid Frosty by a Nose. TORONTO, Ont., May 20. Celeritas, nine-year-old jumper racing under the silks of W.T. Northgrave, Jr., Toronto sportsman, drove to a handy victory in the two mile Thick Thorn Steeplechase, feature of a well balanced program at Woodbine Park this afternoon. G. G. Smiths Leadgold was a threatening second and K. Yellotts Swansea a tiring third in the field of six. Members of the Maryland and Ontario Hunts set augmented the clubhouse crowd to see the Canadian steeplechasing season launched under smiling skies and ideal track conditions. Celeritas, making his first start since last fall, at Pimlico, turned in an excellent performance under the able guidance of the veteran jockey, Fred Thorridyke. The nine-year-old Zeus gelding fenced flawlessly and was handily rated, coming from behind the early leaders in the run from the second fence to finish three lengths in the van. Leadgold was in the pace most of the way. He met the winners challenge gamely in the final quarter mile but bore put after clearing the last fence. Swansea moved up to take command briefly in the last half mile but faltered when the real issue came and was tiring at the end. There were two casualties, Zermatt lost his rider at the second obstacle and Madame Ward fell at the seventh fence.-Neither rider was injured. The best of the older jockeys, Bobby Watson, and the star of the apprentices, Herb Lindberg, now on the grounds, hooked up in a mile and seventy yards in the fifth race and age was served when Watsons mount, Frigid Frosty, nosed out Lindbergs Finesse. The third award went to the fast closing Wm. Allan Jr. Watson and Lindberg hooked up in their duel from the head of the stretch and at the end only the judges could separate them. Wm. Allan Jr. was slow to find his. racing stride but finished with a rush at the end. Granite Rock also overhauled tired horses to get the fourth award. Frank Gilpins Sky Warrior, educated during the latter part of the Florida season, defeated five other maiden two-year-olds to graduate in the four and one-half furlongs first race. The. Brown Bud gelding was always in the thick of the pacemaking, took command at the quarter post and, holding on under Lindbergs mild urging, won by a length and a half. In Step, which outbroke his field, held on gamely when supplanted by the flying winner and was pressing the latter stoutly through the final furlong to annex the place award. Chatantell was slow to find his stride, but came on willingly in the final drive for the show. War Haste was slightly bothered when Time Limit stopped suddenly after showing speed to the head of the stretch. The colors of E. F. Seagram were carried to tlleir fourth victory in two days by Candy Feasts handy score over seven other Ca-nadian-breds in the second race at six furlongs. Arthur Hullcoats Bald Crest was a tiring second and Mrs. C. Conyers Uvira an even running third. The race called for maiden jockeys, and apprentice W. Scott handled the Seagram filly with the coolness and judgment of a veteran to bring her home in front. He broke Candy Feast in good order on the extreme outside and steadily improved her position while the fast but faint-hearted Bald Crest was opening a commanding lead. Once straightened out in the front stretch, Scott sent Candy Feast up to subdue Bald Crest and the winner had something to spare at the end. Trainer Arthur Brent won his first victory for his new patron, the Erindale Stable, when Khaki John nosed out the elderly Aymond in the fourth race, which was the second division of the split second race. Three lengths away Candy Man snatched third award by a nose from Acajou. Jockey E. Dalmado received applause from the crowd for his effort astride Khaki John. The boy took the Erindale sprinter to the front on the turn, and his vigorous hand ride enabled his mount to stave off Ay-monds determined challenge In the stretch. It was a hard-fought duel between this pair the length of the straightaway. Candy Man showed a flash of speed to set the pace through the back stretch and then tired. Only Foolin, a Pimlico winner, romped to a handy victory in the sixth race. The Mere Play filly was the medium of completing a riding double for apprentice H. Lindberg, who had previously ridden the winner of the first race. His total for the meeting was raised to six. Deedie was second and Black Stockings landed in third place before George De Mar. 9
