The San Francisco call., 1899-06-18
SUBURBAN HANDICAP WINNERS.
WINNER. Jockey Value I VT


tious and refused to join his company,
kicking at everything within reach. AT
half past the starter thought he had
them In line and called them. Brian
Sweet refused TO break and they were
called back Ten minutes later they
got another break. They We're all in
perfect line, but Maher on Banastar
did not like his position and pulled his
mount up. for which he was lectured
by the starter. Five minutes more,
Imp and Briar Sweet and BanaStar be-
ing the offenders. Another break came
and this time only the inside wing
moved. Briar Sweet was responsible
for the next break.
Nine attempts were made by the
starter Then, at last, the flag did fall.
They were off, The stand rose to it.
The crowd on the lawn strained against
the ropes. A mighty cry burst from
25. 900 throats, They're Off" And so
they were. And Banastar, with a for
tune on him, was left standing.
Imp George Keene, Tragedian, Ban
nockburn and the rest-away they
came, Bannockburn thus early chal-
longing the leaders and showing form
which threatened the best afoot. BY
the time they got TO the stand George
Keene was still making the pace, but
Briar Sweet was on his flank, and Tur-
ner, with Imp well in hand, was third.
riding bit wide of the others and
awaiting his chance. Filigrane's nose
was bobbing behind him and he was
coming with rush, but the effort was
premature and at the first turn Keene
and Briar Sweet were leading, with
Imp we'll within striking distance and
F'iligrane next AS they entered the
back stretch these We're practically all
together. LatsOn, who had made a
squirt fell back. The crowd did not
know. To make ii more puzZling, Ira
gedian shot up from the ruck into the
foremost bunch. But it was only a
momentary effort. Her race was run.
Turner, riding straight and touching
neither whip nor spur. let Imp out
peg and she went to the front. Ban
nockburn was so close then and
seemed to have so much TO spare that
the crowd arose and shouted BAN
nockburn, BannOckburnl'
But Turner had chosen his time and
the black mare, striding beautifully,
went to the fore and opened up three
lengths of daylight between her tail
and the game brown horse behind, who
ran neck and neck with George Keene.
Brar Sweet was coming and looked
still dangerous.
The stand was a sight to see. The
dress parade so noticeable early in the
day was forgotten. Men and women
stood up and shouted 'Imp!" Ban
nOCkburni"
They were coming around the last
turn. They were in the stretch at last
and first to show came the black thor
oughbred Imp, with BannOckburn
striving to close. For a moment he
gained, and then it looked as If he
might win. But the mare-the first
that ever went the prizeday distance
had much in reserve, and Turner took
her away a foot or two at every jump.
But he was not sure There was that
deadly furlong or two to go, where so
many had fallen by the wayside be
fore him. There was a hoarse cry from
the stand. The crowd on the green
surged against the fence and were car
rying 1t away. Bannockburn was clos
ing the gap.
One furlong more, Turner glanced
over his shoulder. The cry of the grand
stand thousands was in his ears He
arose in his stirrups. Up went his
whip. Before it fell the fleet black
mare seemed to feel it. Bannockburn
was feeling lash and spurs, hoping to
head Imp in front and fearing game
WaTenton. who had come out Of the
ruck and was driving behind for the
place.
Before Turner's whip fell In that last
furlong Imp was away. The heart
beats Of the mighty crowd kept time
with the laundering hoofs. Two lengths
and more Imp lead Bannockburn, and
yet the Western boy riding his first
great winner, tickled her fianks with
the lash. She arose to it as horse un-
used to the whip and in a stride or two
gained more on Bannockburn, who had
been dogged to his best.
That was all that was needed. linn,