The San Francisco call., 1896-06-05
Pilots the Son of Midlothian and
LaScala First to the
Wire.
MOST EXCITING IS THE FINISH
Twenty Thousand Persons Witness
the Great Race for Purse
of $4,000

GRAvEsEND RACE TRACK, N. Y,
June 4-The first blue ribbon race of the
turf season of 1896 was won to-day by
the Oneick stables horse Sir Walter, who
defeated the favorite, Clifford, by short
head after a desperate and exciting finish.
Notwithstanding that Sir Walter was not
the popular favorite and that most of the
public money was lavished on Clifford and
St. Maxim, there was not one of the 10000
persons present who refrained from cheer
ing the gallant son of Midlothian and Las
Gala when Taral brought him under the
wire a short head in front of the favorite.
The widest excitement prevailed when
the fortunate Jockey was put into the floral
chair ard lifted on the shoulders of the
attendants.
Charming weather fav ored the opening
of the spring meeting of the Brooklyn
Jockey Club. The soft breeze which blew
across the track was just sufficient to tenn
per the heat of the sun, and it was an ideal
handicap day. The grand stand looked
bright in its new coat of paint, and the
green lawn IN front looked cool and invit-
ing. There was an immense number of
ladies among the spectators, and their
turesqueness of the scene. The track was
in perfect condition.
Immediately before the race was run
there was general rush to the paddock
where the horses of the battle were on
view. The largest crowd, of course, cir
cled around Clifford and his admirers
were loud in their praise of the favorite.
The Metropolitan winner, Counter Tenor,
also had his circle of admirers, while
Nanki Pooh, Hornpipe, Sir Walter and
St. Maxim were not without adherents.
When the numbers went up there was
a general rush to the stand to secure
points of vantage in good time. Hornpipe
was the first to appear.
The red, white and blue of Colonel Rup-
pert was the next to show as Counter
Tenor passed the stand. Lake Shore came
next, followed by the favo-ite. Nanki
Pooh was fifth in the parade, Sir Walter
sixth, St. Maxim seventh and keenan, last.
After a tiresone delay of forty minutes
at the post, caused by the Righteousness of
Counter Tenor, the flag dropped. Lake
Shore Immediately rushed to the front
and passing the stand the order was:
Lake Shore, Sir Walter, Hornpipe, st.
Maxim, Nanki Pooh, Clifford, keenan, and
Counter Tenor.
AS they rounded the bend into the back
stretch Clayton moved up with Clifford.
At the half Lake Shore was head in front
OF Sir Walter, who was two lengths in
front of Hornpipe, with st. Maxim fourth,
Nanki Pooh fifth, Clifford sixth and
Keenan, and Counter Tenor bringing up in
the rear.
At the fve-furlong pole Taral took Sir
Walter in front of Lake Shore, while st.
Maxim took third place from Rornpipe,
the favorite half a length behind NanH
Pooh, who was running fifth.
Rounding the far turn Sir Walter raced
away from his horses and there was an i'm
mediate scurry after the son of Midlothian,
st. Maxim leading the bunch. Clayton
brought the favorite away at a fast clip
and passing St. Maxim, on whom Sims
was hard at work, set swift pace. Taral
saw the mighty son of Bramble coming
fast and went to work with catgut and
steel. Clifford was overhauling Sir Walter
at every stride. TaraI was working des-
perately.
There was the widest excitement at the
last few strides.
Clifford was almost level with the
Knight, but Clavton's efforts should have
been made sooner. Taral kept his horse
in front ana despite Clifiord's gallant
struggle Sir Walter passed under the wire
q short head IN front of the fayorite. A
half length behind St. Maxim, ridden
out, was third, five lengths in front of
Hornpipe. Nanki Pooh was fifth, keenan,
sixth Lake Shore seventh, and Coun-
ter Tenor last The time was 2:O6H for
the full distance and 40 for the mile.
The second betting was: st. Maxim 2 to
l, Sir Walter 5 to l, Nanki Pooh to l,
Counter Tenor to l, keenan, 10 to /,
Lakeshore Is to 1, Hornpipe 20 to 1, Clif-
ford even.
The Expectation stakes for two-year-
olds was won by Lithos, one of the Messrs.
Morris string which was sold the other
day Hart, who rode the winner, was
fined $50 for disobedience at the post. In
the handicap Simms was fined 500 for a
similar offense and T. Sloane was sus-
pended for a week.
Six furlongs, The Swan won, Zanone second
Tinge third. Time, 1:15.
Oae mile and sixteenth, septour won, Bena
Mela second, Brisk third. Time, 15&.
The Expectation stakes for two year-olds
for $4,000, half mile, Lithos, / IS (Hartl, 10 to
!, won. George Kesseler, us (TaraD, . to l,
second, Winged Foot, 115 (McCafferty), to l.,
The Brooklyn h&hdicap of $40, 900. one mile
and quarter Sir Walter, lib CraraD, to 1,
won; Cl ford, 125 a. ClaytonJ, even, second;
St. Maxim, los (Simms), 312 TO L, third. Time,
2:O815. Keenan,, Counter Tenor, Nanki Pooh,
Hornpipe and Lake shore also ran.
Half mile, Don Blassel won. Hiddenite sec
ond, Matte Stanhope third. Time. bog.
Mile and a sixteenth, Lehman won, Patrlclan
second, Captain / third Time, :4SM.
Hall mile, Scottish Chieftain won, Passo-
yer second, Kitty ii third. Time, :5l.
ON EASTERN TRICKS.