Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-05
SIR VAL TER BY 4 NOSE Clayton Was Too Slow With His
 Switch AND CLIFFORD WAS BEATEN The TerSe and Graphic Story of the Great Brooklyn Handicap-lt Was Whip
 ping Finish.
The Entries.
Details of the Race.


 short head after desperate and exciting finish. Notwithstanding that Sir Walter was not the popular favorite, and that most of the public money was layished on Clifford and St. Maxim, there was not one of the 10000 persons present who re- trained from cheering the gallant son of Midlothian and La Scala when Taral brought him under the wire short head in front of the favorite. The widest ex- citement prevailed when the fortunate jockey was put in the floral chair and lifted on the shoulders of the attendants.
 Charming weather favored the opening of the spring meeting of the Brooklyn Jockey club. The soft breeze which blew across the track was just sufficient to temper the heat of the sun, and 1t was an ideal handicap day.
 There was an immense number of la dies among the spectators and their bright summer attire added to the pie turesqueness of the scene. The track was in perfect condition.
 Immediately after the third race was over there was general rush to the pad dock where the horses of the equine bat tie were on view. The largest crowd of course circled around Clifford, and his admirers were loud in their praise of the favorite. The Metropolitan winner, s.. Maxim, also had his circle of admirers, while Nankipooh, Hornpipe, Sir Walter and Counter Tenor were not without ad- herents.
 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 Ruppert was the next to show as Counter Tenor pass ed the stand. Lake Shore came next, fol- lowed by the favorte. Nankipooh was fifth in the parade, Sir Walter sixth, St. Maxim seventh and Keenan last.
 After a tiresome delay of forty min- utes at the post, caused by the fractious- ness of Counter Tenor, the flag dropped. Lake Shore immediately rushed to the front, and passing the grand stand the order was: Lake Shore, Sir Walter, Hornpipe, St. Maxim, Nankipooh, Cliff ford, Keenan and Counter Tenor. AS they rounded the bend into the back stretch Clayton moved up with Clifford. At the half Lake Shore was head in front of Sir Walter, who was two lengths in front of Hornpipe, with St. Maxim fourth, Nankipooh fifth, Clifford sixth and Keenan and Counter Tenor bringing up the rear. At the five-eighths pole Taral took Sir Walter in front of Lake Shore, while St. Maxim took third place from Hornpipe, and the favorite was half a length behind Nankipooh, who was run ming 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 fast clip and passing St. Max i'm, at whom Simms was hard at work, set sail for the purple and gold jacket length 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 and Taral was working desperately. tor, ,at,t ot Ina last few strides. Clifford was almost level with the knight, but Clayton's effort should have been made sooner. Taral kept his horses nose in front and despite Clifford's gallant struggle Sir Walter passed under the wire a short head in front of the favorite. A length and half behind was St. Maxim, ridden out, third. five lengths in front of Hornpipe; Nanki- pooh was fifth, Keenan sixth, Lake Shore seventh and Counter Tenor last. The time was 2:0Sh for the full distance and 1:42 for the mile.
 The Expectation stakes, for 2-year- olds, was won by Lithos, one of the Messrs. Morris string, which was sold the other day. Hart, who rode the win ner, was fined $50 for disobedience at the post.
 In the handicap Simms was fined $50 for similar offense and T. Sloan, who rode Lake Shore, was suspended for week. Summary:
 First race six furlongs-The Swain, 116 OoggetD, 13 to 5, won; Zanone sec ond Tinge third. Time, 1:15.
 Second race one mile and sixteenth Septour, 107 DoggetD, Il to 10, won; Ben amelia second, Brisk third. Time, 1:501s.
 Third race, the Expectation stakes, $5O00, for 2-year-olds, half a mile-Lithos, 11S QIart), 10 to l, won; George Kessler, 11S (TaraD, to 1, second; Winged Foot, 115 (McCafferty), 9 to 1, third. Time, 0:50A.,
 Fourth race, the Brooklyn handicap of S1O000, one mile and a quarter-Sir Wal ter, 11S (TaraD, to 1, won; Clifford, 125 GA. Clayton), even, second; St. Maxim, jos (Simms), BE to l, third. Time, 2:OSls. Keenan, Counter Tenor, Nankipooh, Hornpipe and Lake Shore also ran.
 Fifth race, half a mile-Don Bias, 113 (McCafferty), 8 to 5, won; Hiddenite sec ond. Matte Stanhope third. Time, 0:50%.
 Sixth race, one mile and sixteenth Lehman. 112 CTaraD. to 10, won; Patri- elan second, Captain T. third. Time, 1.49%.
 Seventh race, half a mile-Scottish Chieftain, 113 CTaraD, 10 to1, won; Pass Over second, Kitty B. third. Time, 0:51.
 A Surprise at Oakley.
 Oakley Race Track, O.. June 1.-The surprise of the day was Banquo II win 4l,< at ndd of ia ha