The times., 1901-05-26

heCue's speedy NOlt Makes ENcei-
lent Time on "a Muddy Track-Ban-
nstar. the FavOrite. Has an Acct
dent-Hcrbcrt and Standing Placed
NEW YORK, May 25.-For the first
time on record the $4,000 Brooklyn
Handicap has been won by a three
year-old. This afternoon, in the pres
ence Of 10000 spectators. with the rain
falling in sheets. and the track a sea
Of mud, James r. Keene's wonderful
colt. Conroy. by St. Leonards-Lady In
vercald, made runaway race OF il
and captured the rich prize with con-
summate ease.
Ccnroy carried 102 pounds, was ridden
by winfield Scott O'Connor, and was
heavily played at good odds. At no
time in the race after the flag dropped
was Keene's colt in danger of defeat.
Only once. when W. c. Rollins Her
bert made a grand squirt near the up
per turn. was Mr.. Keene's colt hard
pressed. But il was only for a mo-
ment, for when Herbert had drawn up
on even terms with him, Conroy, re-
ceiving slight enlargement from his
clever rider, drew away In the stretch
and won from Herbert by length.
1t was a triumph that old-time race
eoers had never seen before. Ac-
cording 10 tradition, it was considered
an impossibility for three-year-old to
win this historic race, and when the
crowd saw that Conroy was equal to
the task and was outclassing his heid
in the most remarkable manner the en-
thusiasm knew no bounds.
Turfmen who were in a position to
sneak by the card said after the race
that Conroy could have won il even
with as much as 120 pounds. He was
far and away the best horse, and his
performance places him next to Com
maudo. the champion three-year-old-
Conroy simply raced out in front, set
ting a terrific pace. and gradually killed
off all of his rivals except Herbert, the
colt that finished third in The Brooklyn
Handicap last year.
In spite Of the sloppy going, the Win
ner's time, 2:O9, was excellent. Mrs. r.
Roche's Standing was third, which was
a commendable performance in view of
the fact that this colt has never been
a successful mud horse. It had been
reported that Clarence Mackay's ster-
ling horse. Banastar, though he carried
top weight. I22 pounds, was in superb
condition and would win Indeed, that
was the opinion of q majority of the
great crowd that went down TO Graves
end to see the battle decided.
Banastar. who was favorite first, last,
and all the time, was a most pro-
nounced disappointment, yet there was
an excuse for him which was unknown
to the crowd after the race ended.
1t seems that the son Of Farandole was
interfered with in the early rush for
the lead and cut a tendon in his nigh
hind foot. This undoubtedly interfered
with his running and, as one expert put
it, the horse ran the distance on three
legs.
Even with this handicap, he followed
the pace gamely, but was never in the
hunt, and when the field came down
past the judges stand Banastar was
two from last. There were other dis
appointments and other surprises.
Father Bill Days Alsike, the rank
outsider in the betting, was fourth
fifteen lengths behind Standing. Raj
faello. looked upon as a king in the
going. was sixth, while Watercure,
thought to have an outside chance, was
next to last. Sidney Lucas ran Tar be-
low expectations, being a trailer most
of the way, only TO come fast in the
stretch and land in fifth place.
But as the result was hung up Of
ficiaIIy il dawned upon the multitude
that the race had been run pretty near
TO true form and that Banastar's down.
fail would have been inevitable, even
though he had not met with his un-
fortunate accident. Just why the ira
dition existed that three-year-old
could not triumph in this event does
not now appear to be answered, though
il was always said that a three-year-
old was unequal to the task Of defeat
ing older and more seasoned horses in
such an event at a mile and one-quar-
ter Conroy, by his feat, has demon
strated that this belief was always fal-
lacious
more disagreeable day for the
opening of the Brooklyn Jockey Clubs
track could not have been experienced.
The rain held off in the early morning
hours, but fell with steadiness at noon.
Nevertheless, fully 200G0 men and
women went to the track. Summary:
Brooklyn Hand.cap-FOr three-year-
oIds and upward; one and one-quarter
miles. Conroy. 102 lO'Connor, to l.
won: Herbert, 80 (Smith), to l, second;
Standing. 11S (PiggotU, to l, third
Time, 2:0e.