The morning call., 1895-02-15
II HUNG Chang
IS THE CHAMPION.
RIDDEN BY Mr.. SIMPKINS, He BEAT
THE FAVORITE, CONEJO, IN
A DRIVE.
SOCIETY WAS AT THE RACES
THE Pony STEEPLECHAsE WAS THE
GREAT FEATURE OF THE
DAYS CARD.

If Yesterdays attendance at the track IS
any criterion pony steeplechasing is evil
dently popular sport and more of them
will undoubtedly be given in future. The
clubhouse balcony was crowded with fair
members of the four hundred and many
prominent figures in society of the male
persuasion were seen around the betting
ring during the booking on the steepIe-
chase. On the inner field drags with their
liveried footmen and four-in-hands were
in profusion. The feature that drew the
large sprinkling of the upper crust Of
society was run for polo ponies ridden
by gentlemen riders over the short steeple-
chase course with four hurdles The
entries, with their riders, were: Galloping
Dick, Mr.. Tobin; Conejo, Mr.. Rider; Ii
Hung Chang, Mr.. Simpkins; Gossoon,
Lieutenant Smedberg; Maud, Mr.. Neave;
Aladdin, Mr.. Benson; the thoroughbred
mare Ysabel, ridden by Mr.. Wainwright,
carrying 179 pounds, and the gray pony
Punch, owned by J. Talbot Clifton, with
the professional steeplechase rider Andy
Blakelev in the saddle.
OF course the pencilers were at a loss to
know which to mark up favorite, this
being one case where the knowledge OF the
early railbird stood them in no stead, and
in the first betting it was to 1 and take
your pick Very soon, however society
money gave an inkling that Mr.. Riders
mount. the Santa Monica crackerjack
Conejo, was the "weal good thing, dOncher
know" and he went to the post favorlte.
Mr.. Tobin's well-known horsemanship
was instrum entail in sending a small barrel
of coin ON his pony Galloping Dick, to
chance. Harry Simpkins did not like to
appear conceited, but on the quiet he told
his friends he had a clay down with the
celestial Ii Hung Chang, and he remained
a firm to l sh OF in the ring. Lieutenant
Smedberg did not make his appearance
with his usual dash and vigor and the boys
said Gossoon was "mackerel"
Mr.. Wainwright an eX-English army
officer and a horseman par-excellence, who
had the mount on Ysabel, was a TO
chance in the betting, but quit with disas-
ter in the race. J. Talbot Clifton did not
fancy Punch's chance very highly, the
pony having lately come off pasture.
Aladdin was an to 1 chance.
The race will be the principal topic of
conversation, no doubt, in the Burlingame
Clubs smokIng-room for some time to
COIlc, anu hiueI udu only Will be
swimming in every curl of smoke. Like all
of the other races on the card it was
dump the favorite getting beaten.
Starter Ferguson sent them off to a good
start. Passing the stand and over the first
jump Aladdin, Ii Hung Chang and Conejo
showed the wav. Aladdin shortly after
dropped back and Mr.. Simpkins opened up
a big gap in front of Conejo with Ii Hung
Chang. Riding waiting race on Conelo,
Mr.. Rider took him back down the bac k
stretch hill and was fourth over the second
jump, Ii Hung Chang leading, followed
by Aladdin and Gossoon, the field strung out.
Full of run Ii Hung Chang took the last
jump i'll front, followed by Aladdin, on
which Mr.. Benson rode an excellent race,
and the favorite. In going over this jump
GsabeI made a mistake, throwing Mr..
Wainwright, who escaped without injury.
Ii Hung Chang hit the fiat in front, but
Conejo came with q rush and the favOrite
hackers were in high glee, when Ii Hung
suddenly swerved in, cutting Conejo off
badly, and before Mr.. Rider could get
Strengthened out the wire was passed and
Ii Hung Chang was winner of the race by
q length and a half. Mr.. Simpkins was
roundly cheered on his return to the stand
for his excellent ride. Thirty yards from
the wire he lost his saddle-pad, and, it was
said some weight, but his valet-pro-tem.
jockey, Felix Carr, experienced in that
line, saw that Mr. Simpkins weighed in all
right. Mr.. Tobin was good third on Gal
Looping Dick.
1t was rather a rough day for the talent.
The best thing of the day was Wawona,
winner of the fourth race with ID TO l
against him, played by By Holly and few
others.
A poorer lot of horses have yet to face
the flag than the lot that lined up for the
opening race at six furlongs. One number
of the speculative fraternity very appro-
priately named the race the Goat Island
Derby. Wyanashott, opening at 8 to 5, was
backed down to evens. The bulk of the
other money was played in on Bliss and
Lodi.
Joe Winters, an to 1 chance, took the
lead shortly after the flag fell, and making
all the running, followed by Bliss, struck
the stretch to all appearances a winner.
Cochrane, however, persevered with Bliss,
and collaring Bliss fifty yards from the
wire beat him outa neck in a drive. Nero
finished third.
Abb P, the third choice for the second
race, selling affair, at the same distance
as the race preceding, downed both of the
favorites, Hy by and Quarterstaff At
post time it was IL to 5 and take your pick
on the latter two. Huntsman, Carmel and
Johnny Payne started at lengthy odds.
Huntsman started out to make the run
ming when the flag fell, but was soon passed
by Quarterstaff, who led him half length
at the foot of the first hill, Carmel in third
position. Quarterstaff held his advantage
to the foot of the stretch HILL with Abb P,
who had run up, crowding him close.
Ascending the hill Abb gained length,
and although Griffin strove hard to regain
lost ground with Quarterstaff he was
beaten out long neck.
The fourth race, at a mile, light welter-
weights, ended in a grand upset, Wawona,
splendidly ridden by Major Covington,
winning handily with Is to 1 against him.
Miss Buckley was thought to have a
mortgage on the race, and was sent to the
post an even-money favorite. Barney
Schrieber's old timer Hoodlum was the
second choice, with to against, point
or so lower than his opening price The
other starters were all on the outside order
in the betting.
Three Forks made the running to the far
turn hill, when Miss Buckley and Wawona
both passed him, the former leading
slightly as they reached the stretch hill
Here Wawona went to the fore and won
handily by two lengths. Hoodlum finish
ing very strong also passed the favorite on
the fat, beating her three lengths for Sec
ond place.
The favorites were evidently doomed, for
another one was bowled over in the last
race on the card at the popular distance,
six furlongs. On February Arundel de-
feated imp. Grand Lady, but once more
I