The Washington times., 1902-03-28
Idol of Local Race Patrons
Brings Home the
Money.
CAPTURES FOURTH EVENT ON CARD
Washington Jockey Club In
creaSeS Value of Its
Purses.
CONTESTS ALL PROVE CLOSE
Public Once More Caught Bookies Nap
ping-Mystic Belle, at so to I, Bobs
Up in Good Style-Water Alone Took
Matters Easy and Won.


Six years ago chestnut horse started
as a three-year-old in race at Benning
and won it from a good field of sprinters.
In order to win he was compelled to break
track record. The time, los S-5, for
five and one-half furiongs, still stands
as the best ever made over the course.
At the time the gelding was said to be
'dicky' on his legs and it required care
full nursing to get him in his next race.
Yesterday this same horse started in the
seven furlong race in a field of four He
was not the favorite in the race by any
means, two others being fancied over him.
When the finish was reached the old
horse, now nine years Of age, was in
front, and as he cantered back to the
stand he was given round of applause.
The horse was Brisk, a favorite at the
Benning track for these many years past.
He has rarely failed TO land at least
one race at each meeting since he broke
the record in 1896. and he has run all dis
tances. He is still dicky on his legs. but
he is game to the core. and Benning pa
irons will be sorry when the old gelding
has run his last race
Brisk an Idol.
Brisk is a Benning idol, and there is
little doubt that the local patrons of the
track all had good bets down on their
tavorite
Another fine spring day had a good
effect on the attendance, and as the card
was much better one the racing was a
decided improvement over that of the pre-
ceding day. Still, the number and quality
of horses that have faced the starter so
far during the meeting have not been pro-
ductive of a high class of sport, by no
means up 10 the Benning standard.
The club officials are alive 20 this fact
and in order to offer an extra nducement
to owners and trainers they have de-
oided to increase the value of all the $500
purses to $500. II is quite likely that this
will have a good result, and as soon as
the new conditions go into effect, on Mon
day next, the fields should improve and
the class of sport be much better.
Contests Were Close.
All but one Of the events furnished
close and exciting contests. The finish in
the third race was especially exciting, all
of the five horses finishing in a close
bunch. It was not till the wire was
reached that the winner could be selected.
The public was again successful in its
struggle with the men with the books,
three OF the six fayorites landing the
W two If = no har
winners were well played.
Flamboyant, the victor in the Juvenile
race, was the surprise of the day. He
started on Tuesday last, and although he
beat the flag two lengths or moro at the
start, he could not finish inside the money.
Yesterday he ran a greatly improved
race, and stood a long, hard drive through
the stretch, landing the odds of 10 to /
for his hackers. Ii is quite likely that
he was short on his previous appearance.
This, at any rate, is charitable view of
his performance
Alpaca Strong Tip.
On the strength Of his New Orleans
reputation, Alpaca was touted as real jam
in the first event. So strong was the tip
that the layers were chary about placing
a price against him.
a,
avalanche of money went into the ring
On him and a large commission coming
in from the stable, he was soon played
down to odds-on. Cold Fox and The Rogue
were most fancied OF the others. Dolce
Far Niente, who is said 10 have cost
$Ie.OOe as a yearling was at long odds.
When the flag fell Gold Fox went out
10 make the running, and when straight
ened out in the stretch was still In front
but Wonderly, on Alpaca, Joined issue in
the final furlong, and after sharp strug-
gle the fayorite shook off Gold Fox and
won under drive. Gold Fox easily Sc
cured the place.
He was apparently trifc short or
would have given the winner harder
race. II is doubtful If Alpaca Will beat
Gold Fox again If the two meet at the
same weights
The field of eight -year-olds that
went to the post in the second race were |
considered TO be pretty evenly matched, |
and II was good betting event
There was a strong tip out on Julia |
Lyston, another New Orleans horse. and |
he FLY was selected for the position of |
lonor, while the Goughacre entry,
1ribesman. pressed her closely Baron |
Knight was away running when the word |
vas given. while the feyorite got tangled |
Up In the barrier and was left.
Flamboyant Fast.
Baron knight went out to make run
way race of it, but in the stretch Flam-
,oyant took a hand and a hard struggle
nsued. Baron Knight gave IL up under
and Flamboyant came on and
ron. Mystic Belle, from the same stable
s Flamboyant, was third. and ran a
MASKING good race.
Father Bill" DAILY furnished the favor
te for the third race his representative,
rump. for some reason being picked out
s the good thing. Essene, from New Or
cans, opened up good as six to one
ut a great deal of money went in on the
Gliding, and at post time he was press
* Trump hard for first honors.
Carroll D., with top weight up, was
lought to be out OF 1t, and went begging
t 20. The race furnished the prettiest
ontest of the meeting from a spectacular
lew. Meistersinger was in front when
he flag went down, and LED the bunch,
18th Trump and Essene following. When
ont for home there was
enerai closing up, and a furious drive
etween the five horses resulted.
First one and then another showed In
ont, but despite the handicap OF Shea,
ssene proved TO be the bsst, and man
ged TO get to the wire Week in front.