The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-15
Weather Man FrnWns-


Weather Man Frowns
The local club has had more than its
share OF bad treatment at the hands of
the weather man, but despite this draw
back the grandstand and betting ring
have been comfortably filed each day.
and the gate receipts have warranted =
better class of horses than were raced
here. However, it is the fall meeting
of the local club which has in past years
attracted the best class of horses, and
when the tnoroughbreds return here in
November. Washington racegoers will be
treated to better sport than has been
their lot this spring.
The steepIeehase game at Benning
this spring proved fat failure All
of the races over the sticks were more
or less tinted with the ludicrous Gum
Honey proved about the best fencer at
the track. this year. while last fall he
was hardly 10 be rated with the jumpers
who raced here, such as George ", Jen-
kins, thought by many to he the best
Topper of the year: Judge Phillips, Tip
Gallant. and other good ones.
The majority of finishes then we're
close and exciting, while this year all
was reversed.
The rain Of yesterday tended to keep
many who follow the sport OF kings at
home, and it was an understood crowd
which iourneyed to Benning. principally
to witness the fourth running OF the
Berning Spring Handicap. The track
was a veritabIe sea OF mud. and as the
horses pranced past the stand they sunk
fetIock deep in the mtTy going.
Merriment Wins Feature
In spite Of the fact that Mrs. Frank
Foster was penalized an extra eight
pounds. because of her recent success
sive victories. she was installed favor
ite at to /. with Redfern up. Merri-
ment tWilkerson}. to ]; April Shower
Cdinder), to 1; Daily (Odomi. 10 l.;
Honolulu IT Walsh 5 to /; Circus TT
Burnsl. s TO /, and Tugai Bey (Haaek).
S 70 /. were the other starters. and were
liked in the order named c. W Cook,
the Canadian turfman. furnished the win
ner in Merriment. april Shower was sec
ond, and Honolulu. third,
Bernhard Dragged.
The first. a hurdle race. for maiden
-year-oIds and upward, at mile and
one-half over six flights of hurdles,
brought out FIVE fencers Of the poorest
type Moderator. ridden by ROdrock,
was the favorfte. al 10 .. with Lady
Raduor (Donohue). II to >; Willard J.
tBernhardU. Z to .; Maize V. (Bow-
SER % 10 / and Historian. % to /,
liked as named. Willard J. slipped his
bride. and fell on the back stretch, drag
ging his rider. Bernhard. about 200
yards through he mud. Bernhard, who
has contracted the name OF the "unlucky
Jockey" had his mount under wraps al
the time. and il was some time before
he could extricate himself from the
reiDs. It was feared that he might be
killed if he did not succeed in un-
angling himself before Willard J. reach
cd the next jump. and when he finally
got loose the crowd heaved a sigh of
relief Bernhard is one of the pluckiest
riders who ever had the leg up, and is
deservedly popular When he walked
/ past the stand. he laughed heartily as
J If it were a good joke. Moderator came
home all alone in front. with Lady Rad
nor and Maize V following him
The talent went to the Pepper
! Stables entry. ReverbeTate (HaackD
/ and Echinate Henderson,. in the third
race at to }, while Eleata had many
/ bettors at TO .. TTausmigra with
/ Redfern in the saddle. was held At
/ fours. while Rfcky T. tShea). went beg
ging at Is to l. Peverberate was prac-