New-York tribune., 1902-07-03
THE RACETRACK.
w. C. WHITNEY'S GUNFIRE GALLOPS
AWAY WITH MERMAID STAKES.
FAvoRITEs ABOUT HOLD THEIR OWN AT
sHEEPSHEAD BAY-F. AMBROSE CLARK
WINS STIRRUP CUP

While the weather was ideal at Sheepshead Bay
yesterday afternoon, gentle breeze nicely temper
ing the heat, there was little in the racing which
viii serve to recall to the spectators turf per-
formances of wondrous merit or interest. The
track had dried out well and the favorites about
held their Own in the afternoon the majority Of
the onlookers seemed to be content, The ap-
proaches 10 the entrances were blocked as usual
with army of fakirs selling alleged turf tips and
information, and ii is pleasing to notice that the
prices charged for these tips are gradually but
surely dwindling. The tips may in time become a
drug the market and then the average men
and women who go tc the race will be able TO go
TO the track in degree of comfort. The latest
device of the fakirs is TO offer two or combina-
fion of the hpsters wares and programme all for
70 cents. The programmes are worth 10 cents but
there value received ends
The Stirrup Cup. a handicap steeplechase, about
two and one-half miles, with gentlemen riders,
furnished interesting contest, and those who
admire this picturesque sort of racing voted the
contest a royal one. There no professional
jockeys, and the clubhouse was thronged with tair
women before the start. who admired their male
friends IN the bright colors of their jockey uni
forms. F. Ambrose Clark had two entries, Jim
Megibben and The Able and rode the former him
self P. Evans rode The Able. Mr.. Clark kept the
heavily weighted Jim Megibben near the front all
Of the way. and, taking the lead in the last half
mile. the race in whipping finish from In
spector Stevens. Higbie tired badly in the last
mile yet managed to last long enough TO get third
the Judges on three legs with Mr. Clark putting as
IF he too had about all the trials he cared to
endure for the rest Of the afternoon jim Meglb-
ben carried the top weight, 172 pounds.
W. {. Whitney present at the track to wit
ness his speedy FLY Gunfre run in the Mermaid
race for three-year-old flies at mile and a fur
long Blanche Herman and Barouche were with
drawn, while August Belmont added Torchlisht
Cunfire opened at l to in the betting. but as the
public was satisfied with this price, the book
makers quickly made betting more prohibitive on
Gunfire by cutting the odds TO TO 10. Par Excel
lence received some support for the place. Gum
lire took the lead with the raising of the barrier
and Burns allowed her to rate along IN 'front.' 10
rhe end 1t was no at all, Gunfire winning,
pulled TO q common canter, by three lengths, with
Par Excellence second, half dozen lengths before
Torchlght with Adelaide Prince last, two lengths
further back. Gunfre conceded to each or her
opponents FIVE pounds and II she could
have increased the handicap by thirty pounds.
The Venal Stakes for two-year-old fllies. brought
only FIVE contestants TO the starter. with Mamlar
Gold Money and Duster almost equal favorites;
Gold Money seemed tS have the race & vel in hand
in rafting dashion near the rail and won on the
post by nose Some thought that Burns on Gold
Gold Money was length before Ada Nay with
Mamar beateR a only ra head soua, favortes II, the
opening for two-year-old maidens. Both dis,
handed by Jackson Won with something to spare
by length, with Kentucky Rose second and But
tons third MuZio never prominent. The ad-
mirers Of the Burns and Waterhouse colt received
good a. 20 ! against his chances. Inc nlys-
terious trio who lombard the betting ring with
great heaps Of money every time that Belle OF
Troy starts in q race were again in evidence yes
terday when the slippery Belle was A starter In
ne handicap for three-year-olds and upward at
seven furlongs Operator and Belle Of Troy were
equal favorites at 2lz to l, but when It came TO
racing Operator won by half a length. while the
aeceiving Belle was nowhere, as usual. Wealth
finished second a length before Argregor, third.
Grand Opera was almost as keen a disappointment
The days sport ended with selling at a
mile and quarter on the turf On account OF his
good race recently Philippine was made the IA
vorite with Mosketo and Bessie Mccarthy close
together for second choice. MosketO led most OF
he way and Just when he seemed Of winning
little Rice brought Philippine from the rear and
eventually won easily by a length and half
Philippine traiIed until the homestretch was
Teached Carrier Pigeon third. and the others
strung out for half furong.