The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-12

There was a series of hair raising
finishes at the race track, yesterday
Three thousand people sat in the grand
stand, and as many more thronged the
betting ring and lined the fence watch
ing another perfect days sport-such
as, perhaps. will never be seen in
Savannah again.
1t was a day when all of the horses
seemed to be doing their best TO nose
one another out for first place, and
with the exception of the first race.
which George Ketchum won in a gallop,
the finishes were so close that those in
the grand stand had to wait to see
the numbers hung out to decide who
had won.
The threatening weather did not keep
the crowds away. Those who have
attended the races before have told
those who did not go what fine sport
was to be had at the track, and yes
terday saw the largest attendance of
the entire fair,
The track was in splendid condition
with the exception of the turns where
sand has settled making them very
slow. The management has made ar
engagements to have a scrape run over
these turns and the sandy surface will
be removed, making the track several
seconds faster. The back and home
stretches are fast enough, especial
ly the home stretch, except very close
TO the rail. Many have wondered why
the boys carried their mounts so wide
in making the turns. Owners and
trainers know that a horse can foot
TO more advantage a longer distance
in good going than he can a shorter
one in sandy or heavy going. and have
instructed jockeys to avoid the heavy
places.
1t was lively day in the betting
ring. the talent getting little the bet
ter of the bookies, landing on three
first choices and one second. Delsarte,
in the last race was the only outsider
TO win, and there were many who Sc
cured tickets on him just before they
got off from the post. The play against
the books has not been what it was in
former years.
Lillianette and Dick Ripley. in which
the FLY won by an eyelash. Dick Rip
ley looked like 1 to shot, and really
would have won with a better ride.
1t was the poorest exhibition that Sin
claire has put up since he has been
riding here. He had the race at his
mercy until within a half furlong of
the finish. when he let up on the horse
and Lillianette. who was coming fast
managed to get one of her whiskers
in front and won.
Ripley is naturally a loafer and in
hard drive he's to be kept after to
keep him up to his pace He was also
badly interefered with in coming
around the stretch turn. being in be-
tween the four horses running abreast.
Lillianette ran an impressive race,
however and is not to be discredited
There was little delay at the post
yesterday, and the fields were well off
Several horses were permitted to go to
the post that should have been kept
in their stable either having been
overworked or in no condition for a
race.
Singleton led in winning mounts, land
ing two first places, but the ride of
the day was when McJoynt on Tally
H. nosed Kentucky Middle out for
the purse in the second event. Nc
Joynt attempted to make his run at
the stretch turn, just when Over Again
was swerving badly, and was forced to
loose much ground in getting clear of
the other horse. He fairly lifted the
big gelding across the line