The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-23
GILEAD PROVED
A GREAT SLAYER.
TOOK THE THORNTON STAKES, FOUR
MILES. FROM HAWTHORNE.
EASED UP.
LA GASCON WAS A FAILURE.
Mr.. MONROE JOHNSON PROVED THE
BEST RIDER IN THE DARK
TOWN DERBY.

the much -talked-of four-mile affair, and
the Darktown derby, the immense crowd
that filled all of the available space at the
Bay District track yesterday would prob
ably have been disappointed for outside
of these two events the racing card for the
day was below mediocrity. California
however, upheld her reputation by win
ming the four-mile race, and Monroe John
son rode Zobair to victory in the Darktown
derby.
The old love for long-distance racing evil
IDENTIFY has not died out, judging by yes
terday's attendance and mention of the
days of Thad Stevens, True Blue, Katy
Pease, Joe Daniels and the exploits of
these giants of the past awakened respon-
sive throbs in the hearts of all old race
goers, and the races of these memorable
race heroes were run again in many
small group gathered together in the club
house balcony. Young and old turned out
Yesterday, those that could not afford to
pay the price of admission into the track
picking out commanding position in
eighboring treetops and on the park hills
overlooking the course.
In the bettin g ring all was life and hustle;
never since the meeting began was there
such a crowd all anxious to increase their
capital at the bookmakers expense. The
big race was fourth on the card. there be-
ing but three starters, La Gascon, Gilead
and Hawthorne. Jerry Chorn had the
mount on the Kentucky stables mare,
Marty Bergen the California hor Sc. and of
course Felix Carr piloted Barney Schrei-
ber's hope, Hawthorne. When the odds
were posted, the big money began pouring
in on La Gascon at even, her easy win
ming of the two-mil e run showing de-
cided capacity for distance. Hawthorne
was second choice at to 2; nearing post
time, however, 2 to 1 was much more
plentiful. Gilead opening at threes receded
in the betting until Is to was obt ainable
as they went to the post
Hawthorne was first to make his appear
ance when the bell tapped the racers out,
followed by Gilead and the favorite. After
several false breakaways they We're sent off
in a line. La Gascon at once fell to the
rear, trailing behind the two leaders.
Gilead, next the rail, and Hawthorne
raced heads apart. for three miles and a
quarter, at which point Carr was seen
urging the Schneider horse. Gilead APP
parently running as at the start then
began drawing away and turning into the
stretch had the race at his mercy Bergen
took matters very easy to the wire con-
tenting himself with looking back at Carr
| The stout son of st. Savior passed the win
ming post, with Hawthorne forty yards in
the rear. La Gascon, who hung out sig
mails of distress after traversing two miles
and quarter, was an eighth of a mile in
| the rear. 1t was a very popular victory
| the ma jority of the crowd that bet on the
race at all CHANGING a few dollars on the
California horse, being the outsider in the
| betting.
The winner, Gilead, is powerful look
ing bay horse, showing plenty of quality
He is by ST. Savior, dam Mistake by
| Wildidle. Never before had he shown him
self to be possessed of such high caliber as
he displayed in yesterdays race.
Taking into consideration the track,
which was rather heavy and devoid of
! spring, 1t was most meritorious perform
ance. The fractional parts of the race
were as follows: Mile in 49,, mile and
a quarter in 2:2S, mile and a half in 2 40,
mile and three-quarters in 3:15, two miles
IN 3:45, two and quarter miles in 4:1434,
two and half miles in 4:4115, two and
| three-quarter miles in 5:10 three miles in
5:39, three and quarter miles in 6:07,
three and half miles in $685., three and
! three-quarter miles in 70134 and the four
miles in 1882. The coast race record is
held by Wildidle, 1851. OF the stake
$2250 went to the first horse, $500 to the
| The Darktown derby, a light welter-
weight race with colored riders, was the
| last thing on the programme and furnished
lots of amusement. 1t was won by Zobair
the favorite, ridden by Monroe johnson.
Booze finished second and Hoodlum third
The first race offered the speculative pub
lie was cheap selling affair at six furlongs
1t furnished rare "hot thing in Ma
hogany, his first appearance at the meet
ing, who opened at to 5 and was ham,
mered down to Z to 10. Hessian, Toby and
j Q c were all supported for the place
Mahogany outclassed his field, and lead
ing all the way won by three lengths.
Hessian beat Steadfast half length for
second place.
Robin Hood II was a prohibitive favor
lite for the six-furlong handicap, to be-
ing his opening price. He won in big
gallop. Rico beat Sue Abbott by six lengths
for the place. Gree, the second choice was
| last.
With holiday crowd decided favorites
are always in disfavor and Char
treuse, the l to 2 chance for the third
race. was no exception. They vainly tried
to pick one to beat Mr.. Macdonoughs
chestnut filly, but with i'll success as it
turned out.
Robin Hood II, Condo and Mollie R all
received good backing The regulars
put their coin on Condo for the place, with
! Weber up.
| Inc 1aVorlte showed first as the flag fell,
but Weber soon after rushed Condo to the
front, and at the half Chartreuse was
fourth, Robin Hood and Mollie r being in
| front of her. Condo held his lead until
well into the stretch, when the favorite
came on and won with ease by two lengths.
Condo finished second, three lengths ahead
of Mollie r.
The steeplechase was a great guessing
affair, as most of these races are. Eli Ken
dig, who opened at 3 to /, was landed on as
about the most likely horse in the race and
was sent to the post an even money favor
| lite. Mendocino, Bellringer and Guada-
loupe all had friends in the ring, many
dollar going in to the bookies on their
chance, April went begging at 20 to L.
Eli Kendig, Bellringer, Mendocino and
Templemore were the prominent ones in
the race throughout, Eli Kendig leading
most of the journey. Striking the stretch
in front, the latter apparently full OF run,
| looked handy winner until April and
! Guadalupe pressed him, when he quit
badly April proved the best slayer, win
ming, eased up, by three lengths. Guada-
| loupe was second about the same distance
ahead of Kendig.