Evening star., 1895-05-15
TRACKWET AND SLOW
Cold and Rain at the Brooklyn Race
Course.
RICE AND RAMAPO BEST LIKED
Key FL Santa Anita and Sir Walter
Next in Favor.
DISCUSSING THEIR CHANCES

As is usual of late the Brooklyn Jockey
Club was unfortunate and instead of the
beautiful warm spring day which greeted
race goers on Saturday last at Morris Park.
Mr.. Dwyer had a cold, raw morning, with
little prospect for any Improvement Now
and again the clouds would part and a
gleam of sunshine was given to the owners
ana trainers who were gathered at the
EraVesend track, but that did not last
long and all was dull and gray again. The
horses had little work during the last three
days and no chances of slipping in the
mud were taken
After the morning exercise had been
taken and the trainers had eaten their
breakfast they sought sheltered spots in
began to discuss the chances of the candi-
dates Tor the big race as ardently as If they
mad not done the same thing every morning
Tor the last three or four weeks
Rice and Ramnpo Best Liked.
DR.. Rice and Ramapo have the most fol-
lowers. but Rey Ell Santa Anita was ia
Vored by a by no means small division The
latter is known to be good in any kind of
going, and his races this season are con-
sidered to be good deal in his favor as
compared with Ramapo. while DR.. Rice
has run in the west as we'll In spite of the
fact that Ramapo has not started this year
he is looked upon as the most danger
Gus horse in the lot, because of the known
aolnty OF his trainer, John Hyland, who
was never known to send an unfit horse
to the post.
That Ramapo will be absolutely fit is un-
doubted, and the only drawback will he
the jockey, Griffin, who will carry a great
deal Of lead to make the weight, and will
neeG all his strength to hold the great
morse. At the same time he is undoubted-
ly the best of the lightweight Jockeys,
Or. Rice, who won the race last year.
Will have the services of the best of ali
the Jockeys, TaraI who can be depended
upon to save his mount at critical points
and bring him to the last quarter in the
best possible condition.
Rey Ell Santa Anita will be ridden by
Bergen, who saves horse well for the
out OF the race that he cannot get to the
front when the time comes for the final
effort. But he is q good jockey, fully
versed In all the tricks of his calling.
Some Other Cracks.
Sir Walter is next in favor. Doggett,
who has been on the horses back ever
since he began riding, knows him thor
oushly. Sir Walter was not taken to the
track until just before the race in order
that he might not get out Of condition,
owing to his refusal to eat after being
sent to new track
Rubicon was thought well of, but doubt
distance in the company. He showed a
great turn Of speed last year, but not over
the handicap distance. so he is an Unknown
quantity to some extent. Midgley is by
no means first-class jockey and will not
help his mount to any great extent.
Bassetlaw should be well managed by
Littlefield, although he is not the horse he
them all run to win, If he does not carry
off the rich prize. Handicappers in the
spring are always uncertain and the light
weights may carry off the money.
Declare likes mud, and so does Ed. Kear-
ney.
Mr.. Keene's pair, Hornpipe and Assignee
are doubtful starters. although both like q
soft track. Hornp!pe has shown the best
work.
Counter Tenor is the only three-year-old
among the likely starters No one is will
ing to admit that he is the equal of Henry
of Navarro a three-year-old; he could
not win from the older horses. A three
year-old has never won the handicap, and
no one looks to see the precedent reversed
this year, although Campbell is fond OF
surprises and may repeat the Diablo coup.
The handicappers were out for gallops be-
fore noon, but no one was more than can
tered. Ed. kearney's owner disclosed that
the horse had the chance of his life on the
track and would keep them all guessing
from start to finish.
The strong drying wind and occasional
sunshine helped to put the track in con-
course would be moderately fast by the
time the racing began. The grand stand
was dry and comfortable, and all was in
readiness for the great race.
Spectators Arriving at the Course.
1t was about noon when the first OF the
spectators began to arrive. There was
decided change in the character OF those
present early. Formerly the track had
been lined with bookmakers and their enl-
ployes, while the Objectionable tout was
in evidence everywhere. This year the
touts were hanging around outside the
gates, with no means of getting in TO ply
their vocation. The people who were pres
ent had ccme for the purpose of getting
good seats in the front rows, and had
brought their luncheon with them.
The choice generally settled down upon
DIR. Rice and Ramapo, with little to
choose between them. The going suits both
horses, and as the two jockeys, Taral and
Griffin, are the best in their class, fine
race is expected. Sir Walter ruled third
choice with Rey Ell Santa Anita fourth.
1t was conceded on all sides that the race
was the most open since the establishment
of the handicap, and that under the condi-
lions any of the lot might win. Basset-
laws followers We're many. and SO were
Ed. kearneys.
The rivalry between Fred Foster and w,
b. Sink is intense. and a good bet has been
made. Foster won the handicap and the
sixth race last year with Dr. Rice and
Eloroy and has the same horses in the
same races this year. He thinks he will
win both Sink has Rey FL Santa Anita in
the handicap and Sister Mary in the first,
and declares that he will win both; hence
the wager.
The attendance was but moderate at 1
o'clock, although the weather was greatly
improved.
Odds Against the Starters.
The bookmakers were beginning TO offer
odds in the handicap. Ramapo and DR..
Rice were on nearly even terms III the
betting. Rey Ell Santa Anita was held al
short figure and Sir Walter was next The
average of the quotations was as follows:
DIR. Rice 2ia to | and to 3; Ramapo. 2la
to and even Rey El Santa Anita, 6 to
] and to .: Sir Walter, s to /, and > to 2;
Rubcon. 10 to / and to /; LaZzarone. 20
to | and to l; Bassetaw 20 TO ! and to
/: Declare, % to and 10 10 1; Hornpipe, 20
to ! and to L: Assignee, 40 TO ] and II to
1: Counter Tenor. 80 to l and II to /: Ed.
kearney, IL to / and to l.