The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-10
ONYX II WON BY A SHORT NOSE
BEAT ID. OF X. AND HOWENDOBLER
In AN EXCITING FINISH.
Onanetfa, Jack McGinn, Susie Letcher
and Libby Queen Also Winners
-TO-Day's Programme.

more interest than any event since the
running of the Second Indianapolis Derby
Purse last Saturday. 1t was the first
jumping race ever given In Indianapolis
and one OF the largest crowds of the week
gathered IN the stand TO see the perform
ers From the time the fences were placed
across the track until the Jockeys had dis
mounted after the race the spectators stood
in their seats and watched every move of
every horse that appeared on the track.
There was something intensely interest
ing III the event. especially to those who
had never seen hurdle race except at
circuses. Six good jumping horses were
entered Ior the event Phosphorus and
Craven were coupled as the Fletcher entry,
opening at 4 to and went to the post at
even money. Learoyd, the second choice,
carried many bets at to 1. Phosphorus
was the first to appear on the track and
when he tried the fence near the first turn
he cleared it easily. Craven then tried the
fence and made only a poor trial. But the
talent played the entry. Learoyd, regarded
as one of the best jumpers at the track.
made a poor showing ON the trials and his
odds were never cut.
After many breaks at the gate the bunch
got away well with Phosphorus slightly in
the lead. When the first fence was reached
Phosphorus cleared it easily, with Craven
leaping we'll and Spurs, an outside being
the first to get over in the remaining
bunch. Learoyd was in the rear and never
closed up the distance in the remainder of
the race. Phosphorus never lost the lead,
and although the field punched better on
the second and third hurdles, the leader
improved his lead at the last hurdle at the
beginning of the stretch. On the straight
run for the wire Phosphorus had everything
his own way, with Craven and Spurs lead
ing the rest. Phosphorus won by three
lengths amid the applause or the spectators
Craven was second and Spurs third. The
remainder were well punched.
ONYX III. WON BY A NOSE.
The most exciting finish of the entire meet
was witnessed in the third event, when
Onyx III beat ID. of r., the odds-on favorite,
at the wire by nose. So closely were Onyx
III, d. of r. and Howendobler punched at
the finish that it was impossible to tell the
winner until the decision of the judges had
been made.
The betting on the race was very spirited,
with d. of r. being played heavily. He
opened at even money and closed at to 5.
of r. could not lose. Onyx III opened at 21s,
went to to l and closed at 21a TO /. The
start was a good one, although Beaucaire
was left at the post. The field was well
punched on the back stretch. Waldo sent
d. of r. into the lead at the turn into the
stretch and as they came down the stretch
1T looked as if ID. of r. would be winner:
Within fifty feet of the wire Onyx III and
Howendobler, under whip and spur, pulled
almost even with the favorite, and they
went under the wire there's was not
heads difference between the three leaders,
with Onyx III first by a nose. u. of r. led
Howendobler by less than head. The
crowd cheered and applauded Onyx III and
Timms, his rider, as they came back to sa-
lutte the judge. 1t was the most exciting
race of the afternoon and also of the meet.
The afternoons programme opened with
a three-year-old trot the only harness
event on the card. IL was won easily by
Libby Queen in two straight heats Will
lector finished second in both heats. In the
second heat Libby Queen was favorite at
odds of l to 6.
ONANETTA A WINNER.
There were eight starters in the second
event at seven furlongs. Some of the best
horses that had been announced as entries
were scratched. but a good field was left
to line up at the barrier. ODanetta opened
the favorite at to 2, with Oriana the
second choice A heavy play was made
on Oriana and he went to the post a favor
lite at even money, while the odds on Ona-
Meta at the close were to /. Waldo had
the mount on Onanetta and he rode a
splendid race. On the start Star Gazer.
stumbled and got away several lengths in
the rear. Waldo held Onanetta In the lead
throughout the course and came down
the stretch in canter, winning by five
lengths. Oriana was second and Prince
Richard third.
Jack McGinn proved the winner of the
fifth event and he was an easy winner by
four lengths over Myth, the favori.e. Little
Gem, outsider, at 20 to /, finished third.
1t was good race, but not very exciting as
Jack McGinn pulled far in the lead in the
stretch and had an easy run for the wire.
A heavy play was made on w C. John in
the last event on the card. He opened at
6 to /, but was quickly backed down and
Just before the close the books refused
to take any more bets on him. Susie Letcher
opened at to and closed at to 3 With
Waldo up she was considered the favorite
and she won easily. The Rabbit finished
second and w. c. John burned up the
money for a large number of his following
by getting no better than third. Summary:
First Race-Three-year-o trot; stake
900.
Libby Queen, &. f. (Beachey). .....1 l
Willector. b. c. .(Vrendeburg). .............2 2
Margherita. r; f. (MentgomerD..........s
Circus Girl b. f. CEngleman). DIR.
Time-2:20, 2:22i1.
Second-Three-year-old and upwards:
seven 1urlODgS. OnanStta, W (NdlQO). open
3 to ., close to l. first; Oriana. 101 (Nava-
rez), open 10 1. close even, second; Prince
Richard, 1l9 (Ellis), open to /, close 4 to |,
third. Time. 1:29. Star Gazer. Blue Satin,
Clipsetta, GRANVILLE and Form also ran.
Third-Three-year-olds and upwards: six
furlongs: Onyx III, 100 (Timms), open 2js to
/, close TO l, first; d. of r., 100 CIV. Waldo
open even. close 4 TO 5, second: Howen-
dobler ia (Major). TO l, third. Time. lis
Governor Sayres. Patchwork, Beaucaire and
Pea Ridge also ran.
Fourth-Three-ye -o,ds and upward: one
mile: Phosphorus, 137 CWinkfield) open 4 to
g. close even. first; Craven, 13? CNeir) con-
pied with Phosphorus as Fletcher entry,
second; Spurs. 1877 Uohnson). s to 1, third
Time. 1:50. Jessie Y, Learoyd and Mike
Shelly also ran.
Fifth-Three- year-olds and upward. purse.
seven-eighths of mile: Jack McGirin III
lEIlis), open TO l. close to ?, first; Myth
III Uohnsonl, open even. close 3 to 9, sec
ond; Little Gem. 102 tHavil). 20 to l. third
Time. 1:SO. The Geezer. Incidental. Blumist
Fabula, Belle of Minco and Powwood also
ran.
Sixth--Maidens, three-year-olds and up-
ward; purse; three-quarters OF q mile: Susie
Letcher. 105 CWaldol, open to 1. close to 2
first, The Rabbit, los tCirimes), 10 to / sec
ond: W. c.. John, 103 (Singleton), open 8 to
/. close 10 l. third. Time lis. Lola Home
Myrtle Marie. Good Sense, Ben johnson
Francis NJ. and Offsett also ran.
Bonner and Bay Billy Won.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
FRANKFORT. Ind, July s.-Bonner and
Bay Billy won the races here to-day.