New-York tribune., 1901-05-26

.a3rl, swimming with sloppy mud, James r.
Keenes three-year-old colt Conroy, by St Leon
ards-Lady Invercauld galoped home first yester-
dav afternoon N the classic Brooklyn Handicap at
e;ravesend accomplishing the drenching journey in
2Ns fat Behind him, something over length
and not quite a length and half, labored the
pluclzy Herbert. W. c. Rollinss game four-year-
old son of Albert, who was nearly five lengths in
advance of Standing. who third at least ten
lengths front of Asike. the next to pass under
the wire. Far far in the ruck came Banastar,
the favorite: Banastar. the winner Of the Metro
potan Of 1901, Banastar the hero Of the Brooklyn
Handicap of 1888 and the holder Of the record time
for that celebrated race.
Turf history made yesterday al Gravesend'
for never before has a three-year-old won the
Brooklyn Handicap. whose conditions have seemed
TO favor the older horses
Although It was after the first half-mile. little
more than a two horse race. the Brooklyn Handi-
cap of 1861 was q spectacular and certainly SEN
sational affair for Banastar. Sidney Lucas ana
Raffaeiio old horses known to like heavy track
were beaten off with ridiculous ease by three
vear-old who had never. until last Thursday indl-
Gated that he was entitled to class among the best
Of the thoroughbreds in training. Mr.. Keenes
grand colt for such he proved himself TO be- TOOK
up four more pounds than the Handicapped had as
signed him, in order that Winnie O'Connor might
ride him. flashed to the front as the red has
fell and was never headed. OConror was easing
him up six lengths from home
Never was worse Brooklyn Handicap weather All
rriday night fell at intervals. and when morn
ing dawned the prospects for Il hne cay were any
.htne but brilliant. Nor did they improve with the
,,assing Of the forenoon and before noon the rain
D,bicb had ceased for a time. began to fall again
in good earnest. It let up bit about the time the
first race called. but just before the six two
year-olds began their sprint for the Expectation
Stakes the lowering clouds grew suddenly blacker
ana I'm a moment there began a heavy downrour
that drove everybody under cover, and continued
throughout the afternoon. As may be imagined
The track was little better than quagmre. and
the spectacle presented by the dripping grandstand
and the forests of umbrellas that sheltered the
oettors they 10 the betting ring or to the
paddock between races was anything but inspirit-
ing. II anybody has any doubts about the popu-
larty OF thoroughbred racing in this part OF the
country let him imagine the conditions thus de-
scribed and then reflect upon the fact that in the
face of these conditions. not less than fifteen
thousand persons went to Gravesend to witness
the great battle of the runners and stuck IL out
until the Keene colors had triumphed and Conroy's
rider had been lifted IN the floral chair. What the
attendance would have been had the day been fair
IS a matter Of interesting conjecture. As IL was.
the long grandstand's two tiers were jammed 70
their utmost capacity, and every foot Of space in
the aeld stand occupied.
STRENUOUS LIFE IN THE BETTING RING.
It was strenuous life and other in the bet
ting ring This speculative amphitheatre has been
enlarged since last and this is doubtless all
that MADE bare existence possible lneIe
The big race days are generally lifesavers for the
layers OF odds, and yesterday far from being
an exception. The public seemed almost insanely
bent upon risking 'ts money and between each
race the gents who sit on the high stools and
defy the talent 10 pick the winners. fairly
assaulted by thousands who were anxious
cept the challenge The ring simply jammed
with wildeyed, breathess men, who pushed and
showed and elbowed each other and tramDled
each others feet in desperate endeavor to get
n1rrh tn hpo lev "a roll
Of bills in his keeping. Hundreds Of persons who
wanted 10 bet glad enough to escape with
their clothes whole from this maelstrom of human
;ty without backing the horse of their choice. It
was football game q large scale. II there
ts to be more Of that sort Of thing the wise
will take along noseguard and pair Of shin pro-
tectors when next he goes TO the races on big
day.
The paddock, being under cover thronged
before the Of the day. All of the candidates
warmed up before the race. and Banastar showed
all his accustomed dash and FIRE but none of the
racers allowed do than gaIlop half
mile. All Of the field named but four appeared in
the paddock. Prince McCugE All Gold, Blues and
Star Bright were the alsanteas. The races Of the
last three had been such as to make thcn
look dangerous. while Prince McClurg. who has
not raced this year. WAS rot thought to be fit Tire
withdrawal Of Blues left Conroy the only three
year-old IN the TEa had many admirers in the
paddock but Banas5ar. OF course the principal
attraction ane close aid his friends crowd about
him after the Jockeys had mounted that George
doom had TO caution them 10 beware the flying
heels Of his spirited mount.
The layers made Banastar's price 8 10 s. and
there IT stayed for the most part. although a few
would give no better than even money. There was
a good deal Of play on the Farandole colt. among
his hackers being Clarence n. Maekay. his owner
but not enough 10 han1mcr the price down. Conroy
opened at skies but he had so many friends on
the strength Of his grand appearance and the
beating he gave Blues Thursday Morris Park
that fives were the best that could be had against
him when the bedraggled parade to the post be
gan. Herbert. that little colt. also so
much fancied that the layers rubbed from eights
10 skies. while Alsike who opened at 60 to l. found
enough place players lower his quotation TO 40 to
l.. The bookmakers thought to ] almost right for
Standing but nobody wanted him. so they raised
the price 10 l2 Watercure likewise neglected
at Is TO and King Branlble at %
CHEERS FOR BANAsTAR.
IT rained great guns when the bugle blew. and
not even the efforts OF the rand could make the
skies seem brighter. Despite the external gloom
however all was enthusiasm in the big grand
stand, and the Mackay colors appeared az tho
paddock gate borne along by Banastar a little
cheer went uD. None OF the horses sunearaa
pleased With the rain, excepting RafYaello and Sid
hey Lucas, who ploughed along unconcernadlv !,
was uheir going. ard they appeared to know IL
conroy' who brought up the rear Laid bie eas
BACK and tpteed disdainfully up the slonny
stretch TO the starting gate just beyond Inc aai5
ihe starr Tor the Brooklyn Handicap is around the
bend in the track. and is anything but wen ,1,.nas
If a chute could be built 10 make ,h. g..
straightaway many turfmen think 1t would he an
IMPROVEMENT W "
The antics of Sidney Lucas caused long DELAY,
at the post. The rest Of the field went swav ~
less than five times. but the Top Gallant colt de-
cnned TO move. and the flag did not fan NJ
Fitzgerald, unmoved by the drenching downpour
sha determined TO send the racers on upon their