The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-03

New York, August 31-John E. Mad
denis Yankee, at to in the betting,
won the class.c futurity at Sheepshea1
Bay today, the richest fixture of the
American turf. He won, driving, by a
length and d half from what was per-
haps the best and highest class field
which ever r"n for the stakes. Lux
Casta was second, while Barren finish
ed third
1t was a great race and nobly won
and a record breaking crowd of 10000
people stood up in their excitement
and wildly cheei ed the victor.
Three races were decided before the
futurity, put the interest was plainly
in the classic fixture and the crowd
waited impatiently to see the stars of
the 2-year-old world parade past the
stand on the way to the post.
The betting ring was a seething mass
of humanity. The layers were besieged
and tons Of money poured in. 1t was
almost impossible to fight ones way
near enough to the layers to get bet
down. The rank and file could see
nothing in the race but the Whitney
entry, Nasturtium and King Hanover.
opening at to 5. They were quickly
played down to to and Is to 10. The
Madden horses, Yankee and Gunfire,
were a strong second choice at 4 to
1, but the feeling was not so strong for
this combination when Blue Girl was
scratched. Henc and de Resseke had
a strong following at 10 to 1, while
Barren, the much touted maiden, and
Lux Casta were also we'll played at
IL and Is to 1. respectively. The others
ranged in price from 20 1 to 200 to l.,
scattering bets being made on all Of
them.
In the paddock the scene was pretty
one. The candidates were being sad
died and fitted for the struggle and a
big crowd watched the final touches.
They were noble looking lot of thor
oughbreds as they moved restlessly
around, full CT life and as fit as careful
hands could make them for the Strug-
gle of their lives. Everything was
hustle and activity when the bugle
rang out, calling the horses to the
post.
There were two false breaks, and
the crowd was getting impatient for
the word when suddenly the welcome
cry of They're off, ran through the
stand 1t seemed to electrify the
crowd and everybody was on his feet.
- echoing the cry. At first it was wild
scramble for position Saturday was
the first to show. with King Hanover,
on his heels. It was a good start for
Hyphen, Yankee and de Resseke close
to his heels. 1t was a good start for
all but Heno, who wheeled as the flag
fell, and was practically left
At top speed they came down to the
bend into the main track like a line of
cavalry and at that point all eyes could
see the blue with brown cap of Mr..
Whitney's King Hanover on the rail
and a short neck before Pentroost,LuX
Castra, Yankee. de Resseke, Caughna-
vaga and Barren were we'll up and the
most prominent of the others, and as
they flashed bv the half mile mark 1t
was still anybody's race. To every
body's surprise, however. Nasturtium
the pride of the Whitney stable, was
far back in the ruck.
Into the last furlong they came Tor
the heart-breaking dash to the wire.
King Hanover was gradually dropping
hack and Odcm sent LUX Castra to the
front. closely followed by Pentroost'
Yankee, de Resseke and Barren.
.sThe favorite's beaten walled the
crowd: but the race is not over yet
O'Connor drew his whip on Yankee
and the colt, responding in the gamest
manner. quickened his stride and foot
by foot crept up on the flying leader.
Odom was hard at work with whip and
spur on Lux Castra in an effort to earn
the coveted hcnors, but Yankee, with
long, even strides. was not to be de-
MED. a hundred yards from the wire
the two We're head and head. LUX Cas-
ira hung on gsmely and for Few
strides neither could claim an advan-
tage 1t was a string struggle, a plt-
ter fight, and the monster crowd was
cheering and shouting.
Then came the cry yankee wins.
as foot by fcot he drew away ano