The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-08
GUNFIRE IN FRONT.
The Whitney Filley Wins Rich
Metropolitan Stakes.

New York May S--Gunf1re, at 2 to 1,
won the twelfth running of the Metro
politan handicap at Morris park Thurs
day afternoon before $4,000 cheering
spectators who had made Mr.. Whitney's
swift FLY the favorite in the betting
With T. Burns in the saddle she went
the Withers mile in 1857. breaking the
track record by one second and the rec
ord for the race by IA seconds. She
displayed speed and gameness and was
the first of her sex to win this classic
Two lengths behind the winner came
Old England, owned by Green b Morris,
and ridden by Shaw. Lux CaStd, the
Albemarle stables entry, with Cannon
up, was third. The first horse won $11,-
1880; the second $1,000 and the third
$1,000.
from the start. Articulate pulled up by
his rider, the apprentice boy Larsen,
when the barrier rose. ran a remarkable
race and finished fourth, a length be-
hind the third, Lux CaSta- yellow Tail
was fifth; Master Man. pride of the
Belmont stable, was an inglorious last,
with Herbert and Colonel Bill closest in
front of him.
The fractional time of the handicap
was: One-eighth, 0:12a; quarter ,0:24;
three-eighths, OBS Is; half, 0:48 2-5;
flve-eighths, 100 As, and mile, 1888 3-5-
The official time was made 1889 be-
cause of the time boards used at Morris
park.
Wealth and society were well repre-
scented while from end to end the great
stand was crowded. Four-in-hands and
automobiles beyond any number ever
seen on an American race course stood
IN deep ranks.
Every famous stable in the country
was represented in the great race and
hundreds of thousands of dollars were
Wagered, with the largest number OF
bookmakers that ever displayed states
in the vast betting ring. The start was
made after only three minutes delay at
the post and Old England jumped into
the lead with New York two lengths
back Along the back stretch Old Eng
land held his lead OF a length or more.
while New York dropped back, giving
place first to Gunfire and then to Lux
Casta Next to the last away at the
start Cannon rushed up Lux Casta and
at the turn was racing neck and neck
with Old England and Gunfire. The
effort to get to the front was too great,
however as they came around to the
home stretch. and Lux Casta was al
ready beaten Down the home stretch
Gunfire and Old England came side by
side. both riders driving hard. Gunfire
looked beaten as she faltered and fell
behind quarter of a mile from home
but Burns never stopped riding and
soon Gunf1re was neck and neck with
Old England, then head in front OF
him, and increasing her lead. Gunfire
reached the winning line two lengths to
the good.
Articulate's splendid race led to an
offer of his owner. ". c. DeLopez, to
match him against Old England, at the
same distance and weights as in the
Metropolitan, and Mr.. Morris quickly
agreed to match for 81, 900 aside. E E.
Smathers, owner of Lord Derby and
McChesney. wagered $4,000 on Gunfire
and won $50, coo.
Captain S. s. Browns Broomstick won
the Juvenile stake for 2-year-olds by a
head from the heavily played favorite,
] Precious Stone.
In the Meadowbrook Hunters Trial
steeplechase. out of ten starters only
four finished Genus was first home.
but was disqualified and the race given
to Betsy Ross. a 80 to shot. with The
Duffer. also at 30 to l. second.
Sovereign, carrying rs pounds in the
first race. lowered the track record for
81 furlongs a quarter of a second, by
covering the distance in LOG.