New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-19
AFRICANDER THE VICTOR
WINS THE SUBURBAN.
First T'hree-year-old to Get Hdndi-
capillary Impost.

Under skies that were as gray and sorlhre
ms November, and on track that could have
keen worse only had It been frozen, Africander,
the remarka bic three year-oid colt by Star
Ruby-Afric Queen won the twentieth renewal
nf the Suburban Handicap at Sheepshead Bay
yesterday afternoon. Africander took uo ITO
hounds, which included twelve pound penalty.
and under his crushing inpost he defeated a
field Of fifteen horses, all except one of which
were older by at least year than himself He
was ridden by the Western jockey, Fuller and
ran the Suburban distance-one mile and a
ruarter-in 2:103 So. which considering his i'm
zoost and the condition Of the track. really
excellent time. Only short neck behind him
came W. c. Rollins's great mad horse. Herbert.
the eix-year-old son Of Albert carrying lis
pounds and ridden by George Odom. Behind
Herbert, and closing with every jump, was that
general utility colt Hunter Raine with Harry
ofichaels up. and carrying ninety-seven pounds.
And Herms. the 100000 thoroughbred--the
sacehorse that was TO gallop his young and am
hitious owner into turf renown-where was he?
He was Just three horses better than nowhere.
yardarrn, his three-year-old stable companion.
running in Nj Thomas's colors. was lengths in
front of him at the finish.
Neither William c. Whitney nor his son, Har-
sy Payne Whitney. was represented in the race.
John a. Rogers. who trains both Goldsmith,
Rsllnan {. whitney s most conspicuous canal
date for the Suburban, and a favorite in the
future books. and the three year-old colt Irish
Lad. winner of this years Brooklyn Handicap
decided early in he day that his pupils could
not do credit to themselves nor bring new glory
10 their colors and he wisely withdrew them
from the contest
BETTING LIGHT ON AFRICANDER
In the betting Africander was held at Is to
and evtn those alluring odds failed TO produce
more than desultory play. Few experts-or
amateurs. either, for the matter Of that-be-
lieved THAI a three-year-old colt. meeting
comparatively large field of older horses. could
shoulder 10 pounds and carry it through mile
and q quarter OF solid mud more than fetlock
deep TO victory. There may have been greater
and more spectacular Suburbans IN other
years, but never before since its inauguration
twenty years ago has It been won by a three
sear-old- Africander, therefore. by his triumph
yesterday, adds fresh chapter to the history
OF the American turf and brings new laurels TO
the younger branch of the great family OF thor
oughbreds.
BY a rather curious coincidence the saddle
cloth worn by the winner yesterday carried the
figures 13-the same number which Irish Lad
had brought home in front Of his field in the
earlier handicap at Gravesend. And there were
actually persons so free from superstition that
they saw in this coincidence an all powerful por-
tent, and plunged the bay colt with as
surance that toe sublime TO be arrogance.
It would be far more agreeable task 10 &C
\ cord this bold hearted young thoroughbred, who
y fought his way valiantly to a place in the
equine roll honor, his full need of praise than
10 detract from the funess OF his triumph by
recording the fact that. in the minds OF at least
80 per cent of the men who saw the race and
who capable of judging it impartialy. he
was neither the best horse in It nor was the
victory won on his merits alone The plain
unpleasant truth is that Africander won the
handicap principally through interference which
he alone was responsible for. and which effectu-
ally prevented another contender from wrestling
the place from him.
WINNER INTERPRETERS WITH HERBERT
In the last furiong OF the long journey the
three-year-old firing so badly that he tried
as leg weary horses viii, to run out. Fuller
had him close the inner rail and in spite of
ali he could do TO keep the colt straight he
continually bore out, and in doing so carried
Herbert, who had raced up on even terms with
him, the field swung into the straight very
wide, and so blocked his progress that il was
Impossible for him continue on in the big
sweeping stride that bringing him each sec
ond nearer the goal. When the race was ended
George doom went Immediately into the judges
stand and lodged formal protest against
Fuller. The judges called the latter jockey be-
fore them, and for a few tense moments the fol-
lowers Of Africander held their breath and
crossed their fingers.
K really looked as though all the comforta BILE
visions which the spectacle OF a moment before
had conjured before their eyes were TO be blot
ted out. and the spoiIs which they thought were
already theirs snatched from them The two
boys were examined by the judges and then
the welcome red board which punctuates a
race, was placed beneath the three winning
numbers and the handicap remained as IL was
run
To that part OF the community which looks
on Suburban Day something vastly more i'm
portant than aRy church or legal holiday posi-
bly, could be the rain and gloom which marked
yesterdays festival gere merely unfortunate
and provoking incidents II did not keen them
al home-a cloudburst could not have done that
unless il had burst over the enthusiasts SEN
srately an0 individually-but il did make neces
sary a complete reversal in the question of June
Ta+ne1t, and instead of the usual bright patches
or color and the brave fnery the huge grand
stand presented q dull and melancholy mono
tone. II shivered the chilling winds came
over from the ocean, and huddled deem IN,
rackiEtoshes and storTacoats and II watched
the various diversions which the Coney Island
Jockey Club provided with interest which at
times Threatened 10 become wholly CONCEAL ed
But IL the weather was unpleas SAINT for the
.Duohc. II was Infinitely worse for owners and