The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-28
RUNNING RACES.
First Stake Event of the
Jockey Club.
GAME CICERO'S VICTORY.
Lands the General Arthur Cigar
Stakes.
BLAKELEY'S GOOD JOCKEYSHlP.
Condo, Duke Stevens, Viceroy and
Altus Carry Off the Other
Events.
GOOD JOCKEYSHIP.

In spite OF its being the opening day of
the Mldwinter Fair, Yesterday saw larger
crowd at the Bay District track than has
been present since the first day OF this
seasons racing in California. 1t looked
very much as if all the word and his wife
and family had made up their minds TO
have a days outing. that the wife and
family had gone to the park. and that the
world had dropped in AT the racetrack.
where he could combine pleasure and
profit, or at least have a chance TO. Not a
person who patronized the Bay District
yesterday should ever regret his visit, nc
matter how heavy were his betting losses.
that is if he is true sportsman, for be
was able TO witness the best and closest
steeplechase that has ever been run. prob
ably, in America over a picturesque
course laid out on true steeplechase lines
with proper rise and fall. and the per-
formers IN the race right within easy sight
of tie grand stand the entire journey.
There certainly is nc course In the East
that can compare with il, the one at Haw-
thorne Park, for instance, being only
adapted for hurdle races.
There were only four starters in this,
the feature OF yesterday afternoons pro-
gramme. and what will probably remain
AS the feature of the whole winters rae
ing. to be referred to over and over again
in the future discussion of tim ber-tOpping
events worthy of remembrance-a steeple-
chase known as the General Arthur Cigar
stakes, over the full course, about two and
a quarter miles, for a guaranteed purse of
$500 The four entries included three
sons of the mighty Longfelow and one
good representative of that excellent
Australian stallion Sir Modred. the two
49, 4
oDd on the list of last years winning
sires in point Of the number of winning
progeny. The race was interesting from
start to finish. Mariner cut out the run
ming for his stable companion at
strong pace, opening up gap of
from six to ten lengths. and at
one point looking as if be would
be not unlikely to repeat his performances
IN Chicago. where he used to win if he
could get right away IN front in the same
fashion, but he had shot his bolt just be-
fore they came to the water jump for the
second time, when Mccullough, who was
riding, pulled him across and deliberately
fouled Ballarat in so palpable manner as
to deserve the severeSt penalty the Judges
can appOrtion for such dirty unsportsman-
like tactics. Lnngwell and Ballarat, TAX
ing up the running, were hOtly pursued by
Cicero, who, closing on them after clear
ing the second jump the third time round,
led by hall length over the third jump
and into the fiat by two lengths. when he
appeared an easy winner. Longwell was
not to be denied, however. and there was
barely a length between them as they rose
for the last hurdle.
Down the straight the weight began TO
tell on Cicero in the heavy, sticky clay,
but, ridden in most vigorous and mastery
fashion by Blakeley and responding in the
gamest possible fashion to what was asked
Of him, he kept his head in front to the
drawgate. winning eventually in most gal
liant style by nose. Both Blakeley and
the horse were the recipients of quite an
ovation as they returned to weigh 10. The
betting was spirited on this event. as in
deed throughout the afternoon, the volume
of speculation being far the largest of the
meeting. Corrigan's stable was most
heavily played at to 10, Balfarat and
Longwell receding from twos and 3 TO 9
respectively to thress.
The first race. a selling event, run over
the Futurity course, resulted in the cog
noseentis' favor, they having plunged