The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-04
SIR WALTER WINS
The Great $4,000 Handicap
Event Draws Crowds.
The Track in Excellent COndi-
tiOn, Weather Perfect.
CLIFFORD, FAVORITE.
But He Came Second, With st.
Maxim Third.
The Winner W ent the Mile and a
Fourth in 2 :O8 1-2.
CLIFFORD, FAYORITE.

New York. June 4-Better weather
could not be desired for the opening
day at the Gravesend race track for
the great Brooklyn handicap which is
one of the most important races Of the
year in this neighborhood, its only riv-
al being the suburban, which viii be
run off on the opening day OF the CO.
ney Island Jockey club the latter part
of this month
The sky early in the day was clear
and the rays of the June sun were
tempered by a cool breeze which blew
across the track, and the prospects for
a large attendance We're exceedingly
good. All through the morning hours
the track was filed with horses at ex-
ercise- The candidates for the handi-
cap were cantered slowly and then
oreezed a furlOng through the stretch
to keep them in good condition Then
they were sent back to their stables to
await the bugle call to the post sew
eral hours later.
Everyone of the candidates for the
$4,000 was fit to run for his life, the
latest list of horses. weights and jock
eys being as follows.
Clifford, 125, A. Clayton.
keenan,, 121 Griffin
Counter Tenor, 800 Hamilton.
Sir Walter 113. Taral
NanAI Pooh. 112. DOggett
HornDipe. III. Sheedy.
St. aIaxim los. Simms.
Lake Shore, 1O3, J. Hill.
Paladin SO. O'Leary.
L4G E1AODAAyn Jockey CluD mas never
Deen particularly fortunate in its choice
of a day for the big race. as more than
q majority of the days on which 1T has
been run have been anything but pleas
ant The track has frequently been
heaVy from recent rains. or else the day
has been overcast with more or less
rain Today however, the conditions
We're changed. The track was neither
deep in mud. nor in dust There was
rain recently enough to put it in good
condition, and when the last of the
horses had completed their morning ex-
efclSeS, the harrOWs were put at work
and the dusty spots were wet down oc-
casionaiy with the hose TO keep the
track as fast as it has been for day or
two
7perintendent Brush thought that
wl-h such a lot of good fast horses en-
tered. there was no reason why the win
ner should not nave to make under 2.O7
to win. and if he was hard pushed. as
seemed likely, the track record ought
to be broken
While some of the interest in the race
has departed owing to the abser &c Of
Henry of Navarro, Clifford has many
admirers who have stuck to nina ever
since he was favOrite in the suburban
few years ago and was left standing
at the post by Rowe. His splendid run
ming at Norris Park in his two races
with keenan, have made him a strong
favnTite. and if he does not win There
viii he many disappointed Few Of the
trainers at GRAY esend this morning
were willing to concede a possibility of
In spite of his bad showing in the
Metropolitan handicap Sir Walter has
many followers. St. Maxim was con
sidered to have chance in view of his
race in the Metropolitan handicap
Wh1Ie there was q general opinion th0t
Counter Tenor, the winner of the Metro
politan is handicapped too heavily at
Eve pounds. Keenan, was not consid-
cred dangerous owing to his bad show
ing against Clifford and If he is sent
to the post, it viii only be because Of
the desire of August Belmont to see
his colOrs in the race Lake Shore and
Paladin are the extreme outsiders. the
former having run badly at Norris
park and the latter being the western
horse. not the one recently disposed of
by the Norris stable. He has not starr
ed this year Nanki Pooh is an un-
known quantity but the Boards are
clever people and when it comes to a
finish the dickey legged colt may be
heard from HOrnpipe is a very dan
gerOus horse at the weights. for he is
in good condition and Lakeland made
no secret of his hopes this morning
He declared that he was afraid Of moth
ing in the race and that the club-fOot-
ed colt would be there or thereabouts