The herald., 1896-05-13
Brilliant Opening Day at Morris
Park Track
THE METROPOLITAN PURSE
Won by Counter Tenor After q Carney
Race
Number OF Policemen In Plain Clothes
Frightened the Eager Betters but
nade No Arrests
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
NEW YORK, May 12.-The opening
day at Morris Park was success, fully
IS, 900 people attending to see the Metro
politan handicap run. The track was in
good condition. There was a number of
policemen in plain clothes scattered
about the track to the annoyance of
gentlemen, but though they made many
threats they did nothing to interfere
with betting men.
1t was not until 4:45 when the six cam
didates for the honor of the first great
race of the year made their appearance
The withdrawal of Henry of Navarro
had established Sir Walter as the lead
ing favorite, chiefly on account of his
jockey, Taral, and the fact that he was
on his own track, while Counter Tenor
and Dorian were equal favorites, the
former having been well backed as
Lakeland, his trainer, was confident of
victory. They reached the post in good
time, and after one or two slight breaks
they were sent off to good start, with
Hornpipe quickest on his feet, a head in
front Of Sir Walter, head in front of
Dorian, forming the front division,
while a length away We're Rubicon, ST.
Maxim and Counter Tenor, necks apart.
They reached the end of the first quarter
in the same order as the start. Then
came the climb UP the hill which has
caused many good horse to falter,
and today was no exception to the rule.
AS they swept around the turn. which
Sir Walter knew so we'll. Taral urged
his mount and he took the lead away
from the Brooklyn handicap winner or
last year, both taking a little longer
lead from the rest of the field, which
maintained about the same position as
at the start, Sir Walter a neck ahead
of Hornpipe, he length before Dorian,
who led Rubicon by q head. while st.
Maxim and (NnIlntor Tenor q nook
apart were holding the rear. Along the
top of the hill the half dozen rushed
with quickening strides, and as they
turned to come down the hill there was
a rapid change in the positions and the
weakest began to falter A dozen strides
down the hill and they were at the
three-quarter pole with Sir Walter a
length in the lead of Hornpipe, who was
sliding back and was only a head in
front of Rubicon. Both were urged to
their utmost to keep them where they
were. Dorian was half a length behind
with his bolt shot. Then came Counter
Tenor and st. Maxim, who hss1 changed
places and We're getting ready for the
final rush. They were we'll down the
hill. at the mile post and Hamilton had
taken Counter Tenor outside up into
third place and was working in earnest
Rubicon was, however, a length and a
half in front of him and Sir Walter a
neck further away and only furlong
to go. St Maxim was a length behind
the Rupert crack, while Dorian was
absolutely out of it. Taral and Clayton
dug the leaders with their spurs and
banged the whips against their sides,
but it was of no use. They were worn
out and could not respond. The final
rush came and when it was all over a
big chestnut with grinning negro
swept past the wire, winner by half
length in one of the finest finishes seen
in years. ST Maxim, the outsider. was
in second place. neck in front of the
game Sir Walter, and the others were
trailing.
Counter Tenor the winner, was S1s to
III the betting and ST. Maxim IL TO /,
while Sir Walter was favorite at to 5.
Time, 1:5S.
INGLESIDE RACES.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 12-Three IA
vorites, two second choices and one out
slider was the order at Ingleside today.
Weather fine; track fair.
Half a mile-Scarborough won, Lode
Star second, Bohemian Lass third
Time, 80.
Six furlongs-Peru won. Irma second
Gallant third. Time, 1:1614
Five and one-half furlongs-George
Miller won, William Pinkerton second,
Imp. Santa Bella third. Time. 1:O9A.
Mile and ne-sixteenth-Belle Boyd
won. Jack Richelieu second, Perseus
third. Time, 1:50la.
Seven furlongs-Olive won, Char
treuse II second. Miss Brummel third
Time, 1:29A.
Six furlongs-sea Spray won, Kowal-