The San Francisco call., 1896-02-23
Imp. Star Ruby Proved the
Victor in the Thornton
Stake.
BIG CROWD AT THE RACES
The Talent Was Successful in Pick.
ing Most of the Winners-The
Lark Beat Burmah.

Never within recent years has so large q
crowd been seen at the old Bay District
track es the one gathered together within
its inclosure yesterday to see the Thornton
stake at four miles decided. The male
portion of the population turned out in
large numbers with sprinkling of gay
colors and pretty faces in the upper bal
cony and boxes. Even the clubhouse,
which generally looks like some deserted
old tavern, showed signs of life. The bet
ting ring was taxed to it's utmost capacity
so much so as to make locomotion al
most an impossibility. The bookmakers
handled deal of coin, but kept little OF
it, for the favorites got most of the money.
Riley Grammar was the center of attrac-
ton in the ring. The young Kentucky
plunger 'cut inn at yesterdays drawing,
and as he made his brother spencilers
"loosen up' with their odds Riley's stand
was popular one and got big play.
The "Statuesque Englishman," Star
RUBY. developed unlocked for staying
qualities and last night rested in his stall
with the second Thornton stake to his
credit. The crowd was eager and i'm
patient for the big race, and after two
events had been reeled off without any
great amount of interest being manifested,
was made for the ring. All declined the
long journey of the original entries but
tLree-imp. Star Ruby with Willie Martin
up, Gilead again piloted by Marty Bergen
and Claudius astride which George Miller
had the leg up. The English horse opened
warm to favorite in the first betting.
Claudius commanded second choice at
twos and unfavorable reports as to the
condition of Gilead made him the out
slder at to L. strong tip came from
the paddock on Claudius, and a heavy
play forced his odds down to to 5. Gilead
in the interim receding to SKIES. AS post
time drew nigh the friends of the latter
horse unloosed their purse-strings and his
odds again came down to the opening
price. Claudius went back in the betting
to 8 to S, when a second plunge took place,
and 6 to was the general price at post
time. This caused the bookies to lengthen
the odds against the imported horse and
he closed at IL to 10.
AS the second bell calling the horses was
rung the crowd left the ring pell NELL in
scramble to secure advantageous positions
from which to view the race. Many took
up points of vantage in the infield.
Claudius was first to issue from the pad
dock, followed by Star Ruby and the
hopes of the Sacramento contingent.
Ferguson sent them off at the second
breakaway.
The first mile was covered in :56, with
Claudius leading Gilead by three lengths,
the Englishman ten lengths away. At the
end of the two miles. reeied off iu AT,
there was little change in the positions,
with the exception of Star Ruby, which
Martin had taken further back. AS
the horses passed the stand at
the end of the third mile, where
the watches registered 5:3314, Gilead had a
slight lead, which he continued to in
crease, turning down the backstretch for
the last time with two open lengths OF
daylight intervening between him and the
Brutus horse. Martin on the favorite was
at this point still fully twenty lengths in
the rear but getting ready for a move. At
the end of the half of the last mile Gilead
was leading Claudius, who was
tiring badly, by three lengths,
with Star Ruby closing on them
at an amazing rate. As the stretch