The morning times., 1896-04-25

A rainy, cold day aud a light card do
not make a very attractive program for
a days sport at the races.
Consequently with just such conditions
confronting them yesterday the society
and club house at Benning during the past
week, was CONSPICUOUS by it's absence.
The regulars" who have made the
pilgrimage from New York to take in the
sport and on whom climatic conditions,
no matter how disagreeable, have no
effect, on the attendance. OF course, the
layers of odds were there. That's their
bu sineSs.
For time, early in the Afternoon, it
looked as though the weather man ln-
tended releuting and as II Inc clouds would
roll away. They soon commenced 10
gather, however. and just prior to the
firsU race banked ia heavy threatening
masses over the hills and as the horses
were coming TO the post the ra in fell III
torrents. The shower did not last long,
however, and throughout the remainder OF
the day only light rain fell at intervals.
TRACK WAS FAST.
The track was in wonderfully good con-
diuion considering the amount or ram that
fell and some fast time was made, notably
that in the Federal stakes at SIX aud u
half furlongs. Shakespeare III went the
distance within three-tenth seconds OF the
best record for the track, which was mace
by Lyceum, q four-year-oId, in the fall OF
lo92. This added anotner TO The already
long list OF stakes tnaS are credited TO the
Walden striug. They have always dis
tinguished themselves Dy capturing large
number of races at the Beuning spring
meeting and this year Is no excepIion,
The combination Ioiler, scraper and har-
row was used just before the rain set IN,
in such good shape.
1uc tturrai, Ior Iure-year-olds q six and
ont -half Iurlougs, with purse or S1,Ooo,
was the stake race OF the DAY. Shakespeare
III, from the stable of X. w. Walden Son,
the winner OF the Potomac Stakes, was
installed favorite for the event at 10 D.
There was also a hot tip out on Roundsman,
who was steadily played at and TO 3.
or the others Septour was most fancied.
closing at z TO 2, with Brisk and Mr..
CharIie Havenner's Belle Washington the
outsiders at 10 and 15 to /, respectively.
SPOILED THE STARTS.
With hoy named Smith in the saddle
Belle Washington succeeded in spelling
start after start. A gain and again Flynn
sent the other four away with only heads
separating them, but could not drop the
flag with the Tightly Belle standing at the
post.
caught them all in motion except Haven
ner's entry, and down went the flag. The
sWiTt-fOoted Brisk rushed TO the frLnt nd
piloted the field the first furlong, with
ShaLt speare III, septour and Roundsman
right al his heels heads apart. Belle wash
ington was last. way back, but recovering
ground like lightning.
As they neared the half-mile post Little
field had Shakespeare III in front, and
from there home the result was never in
doubt. Swinging into the homestretch he
was four lengths TO the good, with Brisk
and RCundSman lcDgtnS apart, ana Septour
AMI Belle Washington beaten off. Little
field cased up some what with Shakespeare
II a; the finish aud passed under the wire
a length aud half TO the good of Rounds
man and Brisk, who were heads apart in
the order named.
The time, 1921 As, was wonderfully
fast considering the condition of the track.
made by Lyceum, with 105 pounds up,
i'll the fall of 1892.
ALL HOT TIPS.
Notwithstanding there were but four
starters in the opening race there were
good things touted galore. Davis was
said to be a sure winner and was at a
short price throughout, but Il big plunge
choice, at TO 3. Gold Dollar was
played at the opening at 8 10 8, but n
report that he was not good sent his
price TO 4 10 / at the close.
The Cla rke lining up machine was
used in this race and the four horses
were sent away TO an almost perfect
start. Gold Dollar was the first away
and was never headed, except for few
strides iii the stretch, where Silk showed
i'll front. He quickly dropped hack, how
ever, and Gold Dollar came on and won
raSil.- nv length Sili' "-nS second. ton
lengths before Davic, third, he a neck
before Sebastian.
.., ir5,s!.lr-.. I,.o- yeaT-Old race, at hall
a mile, brought out Il field of four, with
the Morris representative, Prompt, an
imported colt by Kilwarlin- Active, a hot
favorite. at TO B. Domitor was the
first fancied of the others at threes The
youngsters acted badly and were some
time in getting away from the post When
they were finally dispatched Littlefield
carried Prompt out, and making III the
running, had no difficulty in landing the
purse. He drew q fine finish, only
being short head before Domitor when
they pas sSed unde the wire. Second Chance,
one of Bradley's youngsters, was third,
fifteen lengths away.
EX-OUTIAW WON
The Swain ruled first choice in the
fourth event, which was at six and a
half furlongs, at 8 10 10. Allen l. IS
good race on Wednesday brought him
many admirers and he was played from
6 to down to to 8, at which price
he closed.
The start was the only really poor one
of the day, The Swain getting away well
i'll front, while Allen l.. was all but left
The Swain, closely accompanied by Pan
way, raced out in front down the back
stretch length in front of the balance of
the field with Allen L. moving up fast
Around the turn the latter was at The
were Strengthened out was well in front.
The bid he had made told on him and he