The San Francisco call., 1898-01-15
Piloted by Thorpe, the Only Winning Favorite
 Was O'Fleeta.
Ezell's FilIy Buena Ventura Took the First Two Year
 Old Dash.
Bran1 bella, Hazard, TOrsiOn and Inn periOus All Won Purses at
 Long Odds.

The greatest minds on the track ad- init that the game here Is a very hard one to beat this winter and this asser- ton was well borne out by results at Oakland yesterday. On Thursday the picking was difficult. but followers of the turf are always hopeful and look for a change for the better. It seems destined never to come. The sport was absolutely smeared with long shots beginning with the win of Brambella a 25 to 1 chance. The only favorite to score was O'Fleeta, ridden by'Charley Thorpe.
 The track was sticky as on the pre- ceding day and no doubt this had much to do with confusing form players. in- termingled with one or two very breezy saddle exhibitions
 The general public thought Abina the best of the seven starters in the open ing six-furlOng sprint making her fla vorite. She was just as much at home in the going as a farmer would be lead ing the minuet finishing behind every thin. Brambella with Morse up, pulled out of the bunch, the last part win ming easily from The Dipper, third choice in the betting.
 It looked as though Walter J was good enough to take the seven -furIong selling run next decided, but he ap- parently had an injection of embalm- ing fluid before going to the post and was fortunate to get the show. Thorpe took the lead into the stretch with O'Fleeta and, hard ridden, beat Jack Martin out half a length
 The first two-year-Old race of the season attracted a field of eleven "ba- bies" to the post. Burns & Water house furnished the favortes in BOni- bel and Malay. which pair coupled were held al evens throughout the bet ting. Strong tips were out on The Miller, Clarando. Anchored and Buena Ventura. Following his custom of the past two years, Louis Ezell had Buena Ventura well seasoned, and backed down from to and with Conley in the saddle, the daughter of Luke Black burn and Tommie Bell took the dash in a big gallop, tripping off the three fur longs in 3734. ClarandO, a good-look- ing lilly by Clarendon, carrying the cOlOrs of Caesar Young. came from be- hind like a good one, leading out An chored for the place. Bonibel was nerv- ous, but should do better next time out. for she has done some fast work.
 The sturdy looking Polish seemed a most likely candidate for the mile sell ing run and though heavily played by both the stable and public remained a stationary to , choice in the ring. Gus Wilson managed to get him cut off, picked out the worst spots in the track. and very artistically landed him just beyond the money. Hazard a 15 to 1 shot, ridden with good judgment by little Gray, led throughout, and with little to spare downed Nonchalance less than a length
 A struggling start contributed to the defeat of Kamsin, the first choice for 17a 1rv,c~ -g+I, Spencer in the saddle and 10 to l in the betting slipped away in the lead and was never headed. winning with some thing to spare. two lengths before the hard-ridden Sly. Major Cook had plenty of speed, finishing in the snow.
 The fastidious performer, Plan, gave another of his wild and weird perform