The Washington times., 1902-05-20
Brooklyn Handicap Entry
Disposes of Ordinary
Field.
RACE A MOST EXCITING ONE
Somerset Captures the Hun
ters' Steeplechase for
Mr.. Hitchcock.
MIST oBsCURES THE RACERS
Heavy Fog at Norris Park Makes 1t I'm
possible to Distinguish RuBneIs-Nu-
meral's Erratic Form Causes Comment
Heavy Local Play On Advance Guard.

NEW YORK, May ia dense fog set
tied over Morris Park this afternoon, so
that It was impossible for the crowd of
6.o00 racegocrs to see the performances
of the thoroughbreds from start to finish.
In the races down the Eclipse course, it
was impossible to make out the various
colors until the horses were within one
quarter of a mile of the stand, while in
the events run on the circular course. one
could not discern tn runners on the
hackstretch nor the far turn.
But this did not cut much of a figure
with those who bet on the horses as
pure business proposition. for public form
was in good working order and four
favorites came home with the money
she rain of the morning did not make
the track muddy or heavy. but served 10
lay the rather deep top soil. and the
footing was rather conducive to fast
time.
Advance Guards Good Race.
With the Brooklyn Handicap to be run
at Gravesend next Saturday in mind,
much interest was shown in the perform
ance of Advance Guard. who pressed
Watercolor so closely on Saturday that
lie has become factor in the figures for
the Brooklyn winner. Advance Guard TO-
day took up 126 pounds in the $1,000 hand
leap at a mile and a furlong and handled
the weight in a mastery manner. Dixie
line and Pentecost were scratched
among others. leaving St Finnan and
Alsike to tackle Advance Guard. who was,
of course, a prohibitive favorite at II TO
20.
When they emerged from the mist In
the middle of the stretch Advance Guard
had a comfortable lead. which he had as
sumed at the end of the turn. Burns eased
him all the way down to the wire where
he won as he pleased by three lengths in
1:55h This wes a first t-class perform
snce, in the estimation of turfmen. The
record for the distance on this course is
1:5SA. He will carry III pounds in the
Brooklyn and will probably have a large
following. judging from the general run Of
comment after today's showing.
The Jumping Race
Tie Meadcwbrook Hunters Stecple-
chase. at two and one half miles. was the
feature of the card. II brought out a
large field and several well-known gentle
men riders. Thomas Hitchcock. jr.'s. SOM
erset, another son OF Great Tom. who has
been racing on the fat hitherto this year.
was hot favorite at 2 to 1. II. S. Pages
Self-Protection was a popular selection.
Page, who rode Self-Protection with
marked cleverness. made the running with
his horse, who jumped beautifully. and
looked like the winner when the last
fence had been taken. But Somerset, well
rated by Green, challenged Self Protec-
tion in the run home on the fat and, as
MIR. Page had done his best with his
mount, Mr.. Hitchcock's horse won rather
easily by a length in AL. Twenty
lengths behind Self-Protection was Joseph
f. widener's Borough, who beat Cham
pion a nect, Hark Forward and All
Smiles both threw Their riders.
Numeral Proves Euatic.
The running OF Perry Belmonts Nu-
neral in the City Island Stakes was
something that the talent could not un-
derstand after Il was all over. This event
was for maidens TO carry 100 pounds. and
the distance was seven furlongs on the
old colt. Royal. by Candlemas. was an
added starter. and the wise men prompt
ly PLAYED to / down to ; to ?. while
White Crest was reduced from eights TO
sixes. Numeral. meanwhile, receded
from to 5 to s to 5. but still remained
favorite. Frankfort got plenty Of back
ing at fours. Shaw let Frankfort make
the pace, Royal with Wonderly tuggng
at the bride. running a good second
Numerai quickly dropped back and seem
I'd TO lack his accustomed speed. Frank
fort continued TO lead until well into the
stretch. whore Royal passed Mr.. Mackay's
colt and rapidly drew away. winning in d
gallop by four lengths in the fast time Of
1:21le. Frankfort lasted long enough TO
beat White Crest by three parts of a
length. with Numcral. under the whip.
half a length back.
There was a heavy play On Advance
Guard in Joe Ullman's Chcsa peake Beach
book yesterday. ana as q consequence the
horses oees were cut from 10 to ] 10
c to /