The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-01
CHICAGO SPORTING GOSSIP
TURF EVENTS ARE THE FEATURE
OF THE SUMMER AMUSE-
MENTS
WASHINGTON PARK RACES
A LuII in PugiIistic Affairs Owing
to the Heated SpeII-House-
man After Rubin and
Jeffries.

CHICAGO. June SO-(SpeciaI Core
spondence.)-Turfs sport seems to be the
leading feature in summer amusements
for the season and the grand old Wash
ington Park club, with it's famous track,
over which the mighty thoroughbreds of
! turf fame have pounded their heels and
raced to victory, for purses and fame, is
just now receiving more than a generous
share Of patronage. The crowd on Der
by day exceeded that of all similar events
and without doubt was the largest gath
/ ering ever seen at a horse race in the
West, if not in America.
Thirty-five thousand tickets were
counted out to the gatekeepers, distin-
guished guests, horesmen, trainers and
stable employees. Add to this at least
1000 more for the crowd that came after
all tickets had been sold, and it will
be seen that fully $4,000 or $4,000 people
witnessed the running of the great
American derby in its thirteenth re-
newal.
The crowd at the Suburban handicap
race in New York was estimated by the
most liberal critics at 35, Co., so that the
local derby has a record for the longest
gathering at an American track this
| season.
The first week of racing has been
magnificent success in every respect The
| class Of horses engaged is Of the best,
| and so nearly do they compare that it
! cannot be said that any one owner seems
! to have a better chance than another
| to win the rich stakes and handicaps, that
are offered. In the quality of attendance,
which has ranged well above $1,000 each
day, Washington park has maintained
its prestige as the premier track of the
! West, and I know of none for COMPARE
SON. The sport has been clean and the
great characteristic feature at this track
has been seen in the attention given to
the racing from the standpoint of pure
sport.
WORK OF SECRETARY HOWARD.
This result is largely the work of Sec
rotary James Howard, upon whose
shoulders the mantle OF that grandest
of grand old gentlemen, Edward Brew
ster the first secretary, seems to have
fallen. In the work of organizing the
Washington Park club, Mr.. Brewster
was associated with Gen. Phil Sheridan,
the first president, and men whose bust
ness and social standing were of the
highest prominence. With such basis
upon which to build, there was every
reason for the success of the club ana
the elevation of the sport of Kings.
Inc present IIc6lIIlS Is UClAS CeAilAON I'll
along these lines by Secretary Howard,
in whose ability and honor the public
and horsemen have every confidence.
The result has been a daily programme
of sport, in which owners of the best
horses in training have made generous
entries, and perfect satisfaction for all
who witness these grand contests OF
speed and endurance. The younger gen
Grafton have much to learn from Mr.
Il In he maj of conducting race
meetings, for | doubt if there is pro-
gramme-maker in the West, if indeed
there is one in America, who is his equal,
and certainly none compare in executive
ability.
Columns could be written of the fea-
lures at Washington park on Derby day
the gowns costing hundreds of dollars,
the brilliant coloring on the infield where
horses and carriages of almost priceless
value are drawn UP for inspection from
the thousands of curious eyes in the
grandstand and the gatherings along the
bouleVards as the carriages Of the wealth
and fashion pass on in parade to the
track It's more than a horse race, Is
Derby day in Chicago, and I know of none
to compare with it except England's
famous classic on EPSON Downs.
AS to the race itself the horses that
went to the post were of more than or
binary class for the $40, 900 added money
was not the greatest incentive to owners,
who count a Derby winner of more value
than the mere financial return. In this
case the rain of Thursday and Friday
left the track in such shape that the VIC
tory of Sidney Lucas over such widely
heralded champion as Lieut. Gibson was
regarded somewhat as a fuke. Thousands
We're lost on the lieut." for Owner Smith
is a Chicago man and local sentiment was
very strong.
SIDNEY LUCAS A GREAT HORSE.
Opinions changed Thursday, however.
when Sidney Lucas, in mile race run in
1:41A, came out and beat such
a field as Fly By Night, Sam Fullen. Eva
Rice and Alcedo, sprinters of the highest
class in the West and the Darby horse
was never Strengthened out in the whole
race Lucas will go to the post today, for