view raw text
STEEPLECHASE MAIN EVENT Ten Hug Vindicates Publics Confidence in His Ability. Brennen Jumper Takes Command Soon After Start of Agua Callente Feature and Wins Easily. AGUA CALIENTE, Mexico, April 17. Ideal weather and a fast track was in order for the presentation of a good program of the Baja California Jockey Club for Sundays sport at the historical Mexican course. The Piping Rock Steeplechase headed .the trio of features which included the Cuaht-emoc and La Adelita handicaps. The "timber-toppers" were the first in action, of which eight of the original entrants raced over the about one mile and three-quarters course. Mrs. Nina Brennens Ten Hug was the public choice in this, and never left the result in doubt from the time he traversed the first eighth of a mile, to the finish, which he reached five lengths in advance of Mrs. Stewart Palmers Del McGregor. The latter, in turn, had an advantage of six lengths over Napoleon, another entry from the stable of Mrs. Brennen, and which raced as an entry with the winner. It was a thrilling spectacle and one which had the fans on their feet for the entire time the race was on. There was but one mishap during the running and that happened at the eleventh fence. Jockey D. A. MacDonnell fell after Fancy Tonga had cleared the fence but seemingly did not land just as it should have. MacDonnell went down in a heap and in the fall must have had the wind knocked out of him. He lay prone for a brief period, but was able to enter the jockeys quarters without assistance. JUMPS WELL. The winner, jumping in faultless style, took comand soon after the start, and under the skillful handling of jockey G. E. Smith, continued to march to victory without interruption, or ever being seriously threatened by any of his rivals. Del McGregor, which attained a prominent postion early, managed to maintain it under occasional pressure and gave good response when roused in the final stages, but the winner proved too much for him. Napoleon had an easy time garnering the third award after racing well towards the front throughout. The winner was a pronounced favorite and paid .40 for the usual . In the Cuahtemoc Handicap there was another easy victory attained when W. L. Burnsides Sand Boot got away with honors, winning decisively by four lengths, while Sleuth, which was held in high esteem with the players, finished second, and third fell to Clyde, which formed an entry with Rome Vennie, under the green and white silks of Elmer OConnell. The race was over the trying distance of one mile and three-quarters. Clyde went out to set the early pace and did a good job for about a mile and a quarter, but from then on he was under strong urging to maintain a forward position when the winner sped to the front without need of pressure and won with plenty left. Sleuth closed a good gap for second money but he never could get close enough to Sand :Boot to make it a contest.
