The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-06-12
kAMEHAMEHAD DAY
Good Races at KapiOlani Track
June 18th.
SYLVIA WINS BICYCLE EVENTS
Generally Speakingit Was
Dark Horse Day.
In Other Lands 20 to l Shots
Would Have Brought Good
Returns.

1t was a snow storm. The winners,
| as set down by the people who should
know, didn't win, and on all sides there
was weeping and wailing. How it hap
pened, no one knew, but then some
thing did happen and something that
cost quite a number of people few
sparkling coins. 1t was a mystery, and
one that no one but perhaps ia
vored few" will ever be able to tell or
suggest. The favorites were literally
backed, and they, unfortunately, didn't
win No one said anything, for there
wasn't anything to say. 1t was too evil
dent 1t was throughout a case of field
against certain "favorites." Those
who bet on luck won the most money.
But, Notwithstanding, it was snow
storm, and one that will not soon be
forgotten The verdict at the end of
the races was: Never back the ia
vorite''
The day was beautiful one, and ev-
erybody turned out to see what prom
ised to be series of exciting events.
The disappointment was not counted
on The grand, Jockey Club and prl-
vate stands were crowded throughout
the day, and every available spot, from
which a glimpse of the days races
could be caught was occupied.
All along on the outside of the
track-in the trees and near the fence
were to be seen people huddled to-
gether, taking in what they could. On
the inside of the Enclosure were no less
than 1900 people, including children.
These were not only present at the be-
ginning, but they remained until the
end of the races.
BICYCLE RACES.
In starting it must be said that it was
very sorry day for the barracks boys,
and a great many others. The favor
ite was Sam Johnson, of the Y. M. G. A.
team of riders, and a man who has
won many honors on the track in Ho-
nolulu. The barracks men were bet
ting 2 to 1 on Johnson, and a few on
the outside of the ring were betting on
the field against that favOrite. That
the latter had a sure pointer is not to
be disputed, and that the "Manoa
Wonder won the laurels of the day is
likewise not to be disputed.
FTRST-BICYCLER RACE.
Half-mile dash. Prize: Trophy,
valued at $40.
Entries-Sam Johnson, t. V. King,
J. Sylvia, J. F. Murray, D. G.. Sylvester.
In this race King set the pace. Sylvia
started out after the leader to find out
what his intentions were, and succeed
ed in catching King around the turn.
At the half, Sylvia, having sworn an
oath before he left the eyes of the
judges, jumped about two lengths, with
that awful squirt that every bicycle
rider of any note in Honolulu knows,
and kept ahead, punching the pedals
with all the strength and determine
ton that was in him, until he passed
under the wire, a sure winner, with
Johnson a close second, and sur
prised man. The word "close" is used
because some people think that two or
three lengths is really close.
SECOND-BICYCLE RACE.
One-mile handicap. Prize: Trophy,
valued at $50.
Entries-W Lyle J. F. Murray. Sam
Johnson, T. V. King, J. Sylvia, r. E.
Bond. D. G. Sylvester.
This race. as will be seen by the
above statement was one in which a
handicap furnished food for much
thought The handicaps were as fol-
lows: Johnson and Sylvia, scratch;
King and Sylvester, % yards; Bond,
80 yards: Murray and Lyle, so yards.
Lyle led off with hot pace. Sylvia,
as one of the scratch men, set the pace
for Johnson to catch the bunch that
now gave promise of running away
from everything. Johnson was not
slow to catch, and in a very little
while was after the bunch in good
earnest Half way between the first