The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-01
ALFORTEN WITHDRAHS,,
NOT TO RACE TOEALON
Friends OF Both Colts Are
Greatly Disappointed.
MUCH INTEREST WAS SHOWN
T0day's Events All Well Filled-Bet-
ting Promises to Be
Lively.

The prospects of a match race between
TOkalon and Alforten are of. On Sat
urday last, after Tokalon lad finished
ahead of Al+ortan in cige two-year-old
handicap. there was much talk Of
match race between the two youngsters.
Tokalon is a crack hlly from the West.
and her owner and friends wagered
much money on her TO win the handicap
on Saturday. When she was beaten by
Graziallo they were much chagrined,
and when the supporters Of Alforten
suggested that with good start the
latter colt could easily have beaten the
Westerner. the owne. Of Tokalon quick
" offered TO make match and back
his judgment with wads OF greenbacks.
Il was the old story OF the East YER
sus the West. and a great deal Of In
terest was quickly worked up. Secre-
tary Walton. Of the Washington Jockey
Club. was approached with the proposal
and he laid the matter before President
Rowland. 7he latter said that the club
would be Ella 70 add a purse for spe-
cial race il the owners OF the young
sters were in earnest.
When the matter seemed TO be on the
point OF materializing j. A. Bennett,
the owner Of Alforten, quickly put a
stop 70 the proposed match by declaring
that he would not start his colt under
any circumstances. II is to be regretted
that Mr. Bennett has seen fit TO back
out OF what would have been an inter
esting race. BY doing so he has ad-
nitted that he fears the result, and in
asnluch as Alforten Is the representa-
tive of the East. local racesoers feel
that they have suffered a personal de-
feat.
An Ordinary Gard
Yesterdays card and the racing itself
were the most ordinary offered at Ben
ming since the meeting began. The card
vas devoid. Of class and the finishes in
a majority OF the events tame. In but
one race was there a close finish That
was IN the fourth, when NinespOt beat
Oclawaha a short head The first race
resulted in { victory for the local
jumper Gould. who was at G to 1 in
the betting After the finish there was
some excitement occasiored by the
counter claims OF the riders OF the first
two horses-Gould and Goldsby. Both
boys declared that their mounts had
been fouIed, and after a deal VI discus
sion the stewards decided to let the race
stand as it was run. From the stand
II looked as if Goldsby was the offender.
Events All Well Filled.
The six races on the program today
have all filled well. and there viii bs
a large field to go TO the post in each
event. Notwithstanding there is not ar
overabundance Of class. All the race:
are hard u pick. and the betting should
be lively. Nth long odds against all tn
winners. The first race has twenty-ons
entries. and there IL hardly one in thC
lot that has not chance FOrtunatus
Courtmad ana Cottage Maid look Il
be the best. and Gloriosa will have q
following
I.o-z Of che Valley and GraziaIlc
should be fhe contenders in the sec
ord, with Alforten and Peter Paul Z
set hot pace for them. The steeple
chase should De an interesting race
Harrow, on the occasion Of his first at
tempt through the field, ran an excel
lent race. and II he has improved as h
should he Will have a good chance L
land the race. Imperialist VIII doubt
less be favorite and ray win. Como
yer and Buiy Ray VIII go well.
Fort Hunters recent form has beer
so good that he VIII take a lot Of beat
ing in the fourth. Sourire may Ful
better than he did last time. and Shouts
be a contender. while Briarthorpe ant
Gananogue will also go well
II April Shower goes in the fifth h
VIII have q good chance on his hes
form. bat he seems to have stalled a bit
and may not start. Cottage Maid. Al
Gold, and Cornwall look to be best o
the others.
The last race is a handicap. and ough
to be a good race. River Pirate vii
doubtless be Withdrawn, as viii ais
Mabel Richardson. Sam Craigs goo
race last Friday viii make him man
friends. and he may win. but Carbuncle
despite his weight and Circus VIII TAX
lot Of beating.