The San Francisco call., 1897-11-26
The Largest Crowd Of Re-
cent Years Viewed the
Sport at Oakland.
Marquise Beaten for the Athe-
man Club Cup by Wheel
of Fortune.
"skeets" Martin Piloted Three Win
ners - Four First Choices
Bowled Over.

It seemed as though half of the inha l.
itants of the quiet city of Oakland and
two-thirds of the population of San Fran
cisco turned out TO see the Tbanksgi wing
dav racing card run at Oakland track yes
terdav. 1t was by far the largest crowd
assem- bled on a course in this section in
wears, a conservative estimate placing the
number at 1900. A hustlins, bustIing
mass of people fought for tickets the
Jerry landing on this side. Women
tainted, pickpockets en- joyed the situation
and men forgot all rules Of etiquette in
The rush 10 get aboard the boats. Once at
the track there was no stopping the big
throng.
There was but one way of getting BET
on the ring, and that was BY resOrtIng 10
football tactics and trying the flying wedge.
The grand stand was filed with pretty
women gayly bedec&ed in holiday attire,
and standing room on the asphaltu m
walk in front of the stand was obtained
under dlfficuI ties. From the directors
stand President Thomas II. Williams Jr.
gazed upon the immense throng, and his
tace wore an expression indicative of peace
with ali the world.
There was not breeze enough blowing to
fill The sails OF a miniature yach:, but un-
fortunately the track was very slow, de-
priving the sport OF one of its most fe tCh-
ing features-fast time.
The beginning augured we'll for the ia
voriIes. Montgomery and Schiller won
off the reel and then there came crA-h.
Peixotto, Marquise, Osric II and Free
Lady, all pronounced choices in the ring
fell by the wayside.
There always has 10 BE- some stake
feature on an occasion of this kind, and
the Athenian Club cup selling stake, at
two and quarter mics, W tn value of
$1,000 attached, was the offering. Mar
qulse, the underslzed little piece of racing
furniture owned by Simmons & Marks,
was picked 10 WIN and was backed from
to 10 down to 2 to 5.
Johnny Woods had the leg-up and rode
his pretuiest, despite which he was unable
TO land the long end. Though the going
was Supposed 10 be distasteful to her
dainty heels, Wheel of Fortune, ridden
by "Skeets" Martin, made an "end.to-
end OF 1t, galloping in an easy winner
two lengths before the favorite, in 4:07.
Charlie Rieff was a distant third, trailed
in by Wawona and Don CIarencio.
Magrane's sprinter. Montgomery, main
tanned his mud reputation by rom ping in
ahead OF his field in the first event de-
cided five and half furlong spin, start
ing TO choice. Dunboy, the second
choice, took the place without effort from
Emma D.
Barney Schreiber's Schiller, another re-
nowned mud lark, was pounded down
from even to 4 10 5 in the netting on the
mile selling run which followed. He, too
won in cantering fashion, although in
cined to swerve out badly at the end.
Dick Behan, the next best fancied, was
second.
With Gray in the saddle, Peixotto was
considered The right thing for he next Il
slx-furlong sprint. Heavily backed at
even money, he displayed speed TO the
stretch and then begged TO be excused
Sweet William, with ''Skeet" Martin up.
then played The string out. finishing nearly
three len tbs in advance OF Harry Tho
burn 50-to-1 shot hustled along in ex-
hilarating manner by "Longshot" Conley.
The favorite brought up in thiid position.
The fifth event decided saw Osric II go
10 the post to 10 choice. Mrs. Shade
headed him to the stretch and then quit.
When it looked easy for the favorite Per
some, to l chance, with Mcintyre Ill
the saddle. came with a rusu and beat
him out less than length. Fashion
Plate was tired third.
small bottle was un ncorked in the last,
five and a half furlong run for two-year-