The record-union., 1896-06-05
SIR WALTER Wins TIE
BROOKLYN HANDICAP.
Defeats Clifford by Short Head After
an Exciting Finish.
The Race Witnessed by Twenty
Thousand People.
Longshots Capture the Stake Events
at Lakeside, St. Louis and Oakley
Close Finishes in the TrOtting and
Pacing Races at Fleetwood Park
Events at Ingleside.

GRAVESEND On. W, June 4.-The
first of the blue ribbon races of the
turf season of 1896 was won to-day by
the Oneck stables game horse Sir Wal
ter. who defeated the favorite, Cll--
ford, by a short head after a desperate
and exciting finish. Notwithstanding
that Sir Walter was not the popular
favorite, and most of the public money
was lavished on Clifford and ST. Maxim,
there was not one of the 10000 persons
present who refrained from cheering
the gallant son of Midlothian and Las
Gala when Taral brought him under the
wire a short head in front of the favor
ite The widest excitement prevailed
when the fortunate jockey was put into
the floral chair and lifted on the Shout
ders of the attendants.
Charming weather favored the open
ing of the spring meeting of the Brook
lyn Jockey Club. The soft breeze which
blew across the track was just Suffl-
cient to temper 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 inviting. There was an immense
number of ladies among the spectators,
and their bright summer attire added
to the picturesqueness of the scene
The track was in perfect condition.
Immediately after the third race was
over there was a general rush to the
paddock, where the horses of the equine
battle were on view. The largest num-
Der. of course, circled around Clifford,
and his admirers were loud in their
praise of the favorite. The Metropoli-
tan winner, Counter Tenor, also had his
circle of admirers, while Nanki Pooh,
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. Horn
Pipe was the first to appear. The red,
white and blue of Colonel Rupert was
the next to show, as Counter Tenor
passed the stand. Lake Shore came
next, followed by the favorite. Nanki
Pooh was fifth in the parade, Sir Wal
ter sixth, st. Maxim seventh and Kee-
nan last.
After a tiresome delay of forty min
utes at the post, caused by the frac-
tiousness of Counter Tenor, the flag
dropped. Lake Shore Immediately went
to the front, and passing the stand in
the order named were Lake Shore, Sir
Walter, Horn Pipe, 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
a head in front Of Sir Walter, who was
two lengths in front of Horn Pipe, with
st. Maxim fourth, Nanki Pooh fifth,
Clifford sixth and keenan, and Counter
Tenor bringing up the rear.
At the five-furlong pole Taral took Sir
Walter in front of Lake Shore, while ST
Maxim took third place from Horn Pipe
and the favorite was half a length be-
hind Nanki Pooh, who was running
fifth. Rounding the far turn, Sir Walter
raced away from his horses, and there
was an immediate 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 Simms was hard at
work, set sail for the purple and gold
jacket in front. 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. Taral was working des-
perately. There was the widest ex-
citement at the last few strides. Cliff
ford was almost level with the knight
but Clayton's efforts should have been
made sooner. Taral kept his horse in
front, and despite Cliffords gallant
struggle, Sir Walter passed under the