The San Francisco call., 1897-01-22
MEMORABLE START
At EMERYV|LLE
Two of a Field of Four
Dispatched by the
Starter.
"Skeets Martin Under a Cloud
for His Ride on Argen.
tina.
0Stler Joe Carried Educated Money and
Won-Eiv9 Favorites in Front.
Mahogany First at so to 1.

There is singular feeling of danger
and excitement experienced in putting
down a bet at Emeryville that is unfath-
omable. There is an element of uncer-
tainty about it that causes the face to
wrinkle and the hair to turn gray prema-
turelv. The old-timer, accustomed TO re-
verses, enjoys it. because the disgust and
rawlings of the tenderfoot acts as a sooth-
ing lotion to his hungry-looklng pocket.
There was a race run at Emeryville yes
terday that caused these same weather
beaten veterans to scratch their heads in
an endeavor to recall its equal. Four
welI-backed horses started in seven and
a half iurlong race, and two were left at
the post.
This farcical pantomime on racing was
the fifth race on the card, and the an
nounced starters were Chartreuse II,
Midlo, Applause and Alvarado. 1t never
occurred to the hackers of these horses
that nearly fifty minutes would be con-
sumed in an ondeavor to send them away
from the post, yet such was the case. In
the betting Chartreuse was pronounced
choice, with Applause heavily in demand.
The latter mare had shown very fast
mile in private and her stable folks un-
The other two starters were also extern
sively played at tritie longer prices. At
the post both Applause and Alvarado un-
folded equine pranks that were supposed
to have long ago become extinct Weary
and pauence-worn Starter Ferguson,
when nearly an Lour had been wasted.
vainlv imporJuned his assistant to COM
nit suicide or else line them up. The
Judges had sounded the bell to send them
away regardless of results many minutes
before, but Mr.. Ferguson thought of his
record and could not find the heart to do
it. Then again, each horse had received
substantial support, and when one specu-
lates run is expected for the amount in
vested.
When everything looked darkest
Thomas H. Williams Jr. strobe over to
The post and took the starting flag from
Mr.. Ferguson's hand. The Burns and
Waterhouse rntry, Midlo, and the favor
ite, Chartreuse, broke awav and Mr..
Williams swished the flag. Several thou
sand dollars Get on Applause and Alva-
rado was burned up by this fall of red
bunting. Ferguson could nave sent three
o. the starters away early in the game,
and President Williams starting was not
appreciated by the crowd, who plainly
manifested their disapproval. Chartreuse
beat Midlo very handsomely in 1854.
The race, with its many peculiar features,
Will gossip lOI Iue regulars 4OE
some time to come.
For change five favorites out of six
breasted The wire first. The crowd had
their betting clothes on and speculation
in the ring was of the briskest sort. Per-
feet weather and good track were favor
able 10 fast time.
The mile purse event had a very sus-
picious flavor about 1t. Argentina, the
Baldwin entry, warmed like cyclone in
her preliminary gallop and looked like
ready money. Uncanny rumors were
prevalent about her in the ring, causing
the mares price to recede in the betting.
Her showing under 'Skeets" Martins
pilotage justified these rumors, for she
finished fourth after displaying all sorts of
speed to the stretch. Ostler Joe, backed
down TO to under weight OF the edu-
Gated coin, romped in before Peter II in
the slow time of 1:42H. Frank Jaubert
was third.
OF the twelve starters in the first race
run, six furlong selling dash, with light
weller weights up, Ben Benjamin's black
gelding Valdos had call in the betting at
threes, but got mixed up in the humping
match that ensued III the stretch and
failed to show. Mahogany, q so to
chance, with Mcdonald up, came out OF
the Tumpus unscatned and won cleverIy
from Marionette, another outsider.
The mi.e run following went to the to
10 favorite, Olive ridden by Bob lsom.
The mare looked beaten before striking
the stretch, but came fast the last part,
beating Last Chance out head in :435l
Miss Ruth finished in the show.
Third Oh the card was a six-furiong spin
for three-year-olds, which was taken by
the Baldwin entry, BernardlIio, a 13 to 20
choice in the betting. Looking beaten at
one stage the gelding responded to Mar
tins riding IN the stretch, downing Don
CIarencio a head. Barney Schreiber's
Sugar Foot was a bang up third at the end.
TulIy Coulters mare California fell in
with dull crowd in the final race of the
day over six furlongs. and, starting to
10 choice. won hands down from Poten.
tate and Lost Girl.