The Washington times., 1902-04-04

Shandonfeld, 10 .. third
Fifth racc-Caithness. TO .. won.
Alpaca. to ). second.
Ninonia. 10 /. third.
Sixth race-Bella of Milford, 9 to 10, won.
Merry Hours. 40 to l, second.
Flo Russell. 40 to /, third.
1t is not often that two-hocse race
furnishes the most interesting and excit-
jHg event of an afternoon, but that was
The case yesterday. when the two-year-
olds Toscan and Alan met in contest
at four and one-half furlongs. The bet
ting On these two was almost equal. and
The race proved that the books were not
far wrong in quoting them at so even
figure.
Alan won. but she had 20 break a track
record Of ten years standing to do so.
The two horses put up smashing good
race all the way, and the winner got home
only by the shortest of heads in the very
last jump.
1t Was such a finish as sets ones pulse
10 beating like trip-hammer AID causes
she spectators TO forget their preiudices
Sor the time. When Alan cantered back
TO the stand she was given a hearty
cheer Tcscan, though beaten, was not
1isgraced by any means. and it is ques-
clonable whether the Goughacre FLY could
Stve the colt a beating again.
Attendance Holds Up.
Another cold and windy day made the
efternoon a. unpleasant one, but the
bright skies and the promise of a fair af-
ternoon had noticeably beneficial effect
on the attendance. Indeed, the patronage
IS remarkably good considering the cold
weather, and with warmer winds and
clear skies there is no doubt that the at
tendance figures at Benning this meet
ing would far exceed those of any pre-
Sious meeting.
A large number CT ladies occupied seats
sn the grapdstand, and the raw air seemed
10 have less effect OF them than it did
on the men.
There does not seem to be one spark OF
pity in the breasts of the betting public.
Yesterday they went into the struggle
with apparently no commiseration what
ever for the awful drubbing they have
been dealing the pencilers ever since the
majority OF the events. while the winners
of the remaining races were well backed.
Bookies' Loss Heavy.
The bookies who are doing business
must have an almost inexhaustible bank
roll. for all must have undoubtedly lost
heavily. Several of those who drew in on
Monday were conspicuously absent yester-
day. and number of them could be seen
on the ground taking a shy at the other
end OF the game.
Several OF the finishes on the card were
very close and interesting, but the starts
in one or two of the events were any
thing but good. This was due to no fault
of Starter Cassidy, but to the no-recall
system which has been adopted by the
hockey Club.
In one instance, particularly, the
chances OF Il heavily played horse were
ruined by the bad break: but as the start
sr had no alternative he was compelled
10 call il CO.
The track was in excellent shape, bet
ter, probably. than it has been at any
time during the meeting, as is indicated
by the smashing OF the record in the two
sear-old race.
Man-o'-War Hard Pushed.
Man-o war looked TO be so much the
best of the four that were carded to go
in the first that he was made an almost
prohibitive fayorite. He opened at to 2
in the betting. but there was steady play
even at this price, and at post time he had
been backed 10 / 20 4. The favorite was
in the van when the barrier went up, with
Princess Otillie and Advocator next.
otiIlie went out at once TO set the
pace. and she led Man o'War by two
lengths tn the far turn. with the other
two strung out several lengths away.
Turning into the stretch Otillie still led,
but Man o'War had cut down the illy's
lead.
The fayorite did not come away as eas-
" as was looked for. however, and a. the
furlong pole Burns had TO go 10 the whip
on Man o'War. In the last sixteenth he
passed the Princess, but he had TO drive
his mount to win by a length Princess
OuIlie easily secured the place from Lac.
But Two Started.
The second was the two year-oid event,
in which Toscan and Alan started. At the
opening OF the betting Toscan was the
fayorite. but the weight of money went in
on the Goughacre entry. When the horses
answered the call the flly was fayorite
at TO 5. with Toscan quoted as even. At
the start Alan was quickest on her feet
and was soon length to the good.
Rounding the turn Tosean went up TO
Alan, and when Strengthened out for the
run home the two were almost on even
terms. The pair had desperate struggle
ell through the stretch. First one and
then the other showed la front. but in
the last twenty-five yards Toscan weak
ened. and Alan won by very short head.