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Roman Roman Sox Sox Takes Takes Phoenix Phoenix Handicap; Handicap; Excelsior Excelsior Goes Goes to to Alex Alex Barth Barth by by Neck Neck Defeats Grey Wing In Rain at Jamaica Boysy Only Head Off Duo In Thrilling Three-Horse Race — Brownie Triumphs JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., April 15— The rains came to Jamaica today, and Devil i Diver, though named for a species of duck, does not care for water, so remained in the ? barn while the 0,000 Excelsior Handicap was contested by three horses. Brownie, who would have made a fourth, went to the post in the Silver Fox Handicap instead and won that event. Despite its small field, the Excelsior produced the most thrilling finish of the season, with Mill Brook Stables Alex Barth getting up in the last strides to beat Mrs. T. Christophers Grey Wing a neck, with the favored 1 Boysy only another head away. The winner was the outsider of the restricted field and paid SI 1.30. He was clocked in U4S%. The steady rain kept the crowd down to merelv normal proportions and 30,129 avid turf fans risked spring colds to watch the sport. Grey Winq Takes Long Lead Grey Wing, ridden by Charlie Wahler, tried to make every pole a winning one. as he had done in his last appearance at the Metropolitan Jockey Club course. He looped his two rivals on the clubhouse turn and drew away to a three-length lead going down the backstretch, while Boysy was another length before Alex Barth. formerly Poacher. Westrope challenged Grey Wing with Boysy on the stretch turn and momentarily shoved the head of the old Blue Larkspur gelding to the fore, but Wahler kept flailing away at Grey Wing with his : whip in his left hand and that son of Halcyon responded courageously. Grey Wing forged to the front at the sixteenth pole, but at that moment Alex Barth literally dropped from the sky and, charging down the middle of the water-soaked track, eked out a desperate decision. The Silver Fox Handicap, which preceded the Excelsior on the program, produced a thrilling, if brief, contest. Five went to the post for this ,100 dash, at five and one-half fuflongs, and Mrs. T. Christophers veteran gray, Doublrab. was I first out of the gate in a good start. Joe ! W. Browns Brownie was in close pursuit, . with Woolford Farms Signator lapped on i him. Doublrab continued to lead on the inside, . with Brownie at his throat-latch, until they t curved into the stretch, when the son of f Sherab gradually faded as though in need of a race. Signator also dropped back at : this stage, but faded even more drastically, , eventually finishing last. Eric Guerin gave i Brownie a much more energetic ride I through the stretch than he provided in i the Paumonok opening day and the sleek : black son of Cohort drew away through the slop to win by a length and one-half.
