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Aqueduct Chase Provided Good Sport j A?small field did not prevent the Aqueduct Spring Maiden Steeplechase from turning out an excellent contest, every one of the five starters being very much in the hunt for the full two-mile distance. Energetically ridden by Flint Schulhofer, Brookmeades Bavaria won by open daylight from the extreme outsider, Beau Sir, while the pacemaking Another Hyacinth had to be content with third money, he a little to the good of the heavily weighted odds-on choice, Ancestor. There have been times this season when Bavarias fencing could stand considerable improvement, but the First Fiddle gelding jumped faultlessly for Schulhofer yesterday, while he also displayed plenty of speed on the flat between obstacles. Ancestor made a costly bobble on the backstretch, but we hardly think that mistake cost Mrs. Phipps chaser the race, the extra weight he had up being a more plausible excuse for his defeat. First of the seasons rich specials for aged trotters, Thursday nights American Championship at Roosevelt Raceway has attracted a field that should justify the races ambitious title. Faber Hanover, winner of two . recent free-for-alls here in remarkably fast time, may go to the post a slight choice over the nine others in this mile and a quarter dash, but, as we see it, Billy Haughtons trotter will have to show the best effort of his entire career if he is to win. While according Faber Hano,ver plenty of respect, our own fancy leans rather tp the California gelding, Gayleway, on the strength of what we saw this fellow do last March at Santa Anita. As a sample of his speed, we can report that Gayleway was timed the last quarter of a 2:06 mile in 28 seconds flat, or rather :28 flat was the official time for the last quarter of the race.
