The sun., 1904-08-31
GOSSIP OF THE RACETRACK.
OWNER OF FIRST MASON IS
AGREEABLY SURPRISED.

OWNEH OT FlHSl Mh0ON 10
AGREEABLY SURPRISED.
Makes Small Sentimental Bet on Him. as
He Does Not Know what He Can DO
Opinion Prevails That Delhi Has Gone
Back-Shaw Down for Three Days.
First Mason's victory over Delhi was as
much OF a surprise to his owner. G. E. Rowe,
as II was to the public In general. Rowe
only bought the horse, who is four-year-
old son of First Mate-Manola Mason, a few
weeks ago. and yesterday was his first start
since coming East. In st. Louis the horse
ran some excellent raoes. winning the last
three times out and running a mile on ono
occasion In 80 and a fraction, with liz pounds,
over a fast track. But when Rowe got him
First Mason was thin and drawn. He got
plenty of feed and after u rest he was put
to work. Before he went to the post. Rowe
said:
Il am just running him to see what he can
do. II ready he will do wel. no doubt.
but do not believe he has chance to beat
Delhi. have put a small sentimental bet
on him. because do not want to let him run
unbacked."
First Mason has been regarded as one Of the
best handicap horses In the West. and those
who had seen him run were not slow In play
ing him for place at even money. There
to keep his price from going up. Lyme.
who had the mount, took particular pains
to ride him to the best OF his ability. for he
was very anxious to beat the Keene colt
for personal reasons. After the race he
| said. as he came to the scales:
Il set such fast pace that made Delhi
quit like yellow do g at the end Of three-quar-
| ters OF mile.-
| The half was covered in o4s is. the nve
| furlongs In 1901 and the three-quarters in 1I4.
| When Delhi got back to the paddock the
sharps began exchanging opinions. Some
Of them were inclined to believe that the
Keene colt had gone off In his training. while
others were uncharitable enough to say that
| he had always been overrated. 1t was re-
called that in his last race at Saratoga, at q
mile and nve-sixteenths. he was all out to
| beat Stalwart.
"This Is simply another case Of undertaking
Western FORM" said leading horseman.
The West has produced some Of the great
est horses In turf history. including such per-
| formers as Banastar. McChesney and others
| First Mason. while not a world beater, 10 .
| good horse and no mistake"
First Mason Is q stable companion OF the
| well known race mare Colonial Girl. who
won the S5O. 600 Worlds Fair Handicap from
| Herms last June. Rowe was a jockey at one
| time and rode several races on the local cir
! cult for Dan Honlg. He bought First Mason
refused a large offer for him last year. 1t 10
said that the horses running IN Rowe's name
really belong to Otto StifYel, q well known St.
Louis brewer Of wealth.
| II Marmee had not been as good as left at
| the post she would surely have beaten Delhi
| for the place. She was in receipt OF twenty
! nine pounds from the Keene colt. and those
who backed her In the place books at to
| were inclined to kick themselves all over the
| track. A remarkable feature Of the race
| was the fact that Rosetint. usually an unruly
animal at the post. did not once raise her heels
In wild effort to kick in the ribs Of the others.
c. Phillips. a brother of H. Phillips, who
rode Letola in the first race. not only handled
| the first winner Of his career. but also broke
the track record. 1t is doubtful If a jockey
Of greater experience could have gotten
much more out of the Star Ruby Ally. Little
Finnessy. hitherto unknown. put up crack
ing good ride on Frank Farrells King Pepper.
the second horse. II he had been bigger
and stronger he might have won.
Some of the bookmakers. In putting up the
prices on the steeplechase. found that there
was such unwillingness on the part of the
crowd to back Good and Plenty at 0 to 20 that
they laid to against the field, handling
big money on this proposition.
E. r. Thomas and Alex. Shields did not back
st. Bellane until the last moment. As their
| commission did not make its appearance in
| layers gradually hoisted the price until there
| was as much as to on offer In some Of the
| books. Then the agents of the Thomas stable
| got busy and the books were rather severely
| jolted on the result. although they took In a
| fortune on Bedouin and Cairngorm. John
E. Madden's Waterside was said to be ready
| for n coup and was played down to s to l,
but he ran his usual race back in the ruck.
| 1t was like finding money when Beldame
won the Dolphin for her owner, Newton
| Bennington. The race was worth about
81. 900 to the winner. which was very easy.
The crowd backed Go Between very heavily
| for the place, but he ran as II mis- legs were
made of glass. and loud grumble was heard
when he finished outside of the money. Talk
| Of match race between Bedame and Molly
| Brant still continues. but there Is not much
| chance of such an event. 1t was rumored
! after the races that Beldame might be an
| added starter in the Twin City Handicap this
| afternoon. but it could not be confirmed.
Shaw and Barnett were each set down for
| three days by the starter. Shaw's offence
| was fragrant. While at the post for the last
| race he took a deliberate run at the barrier
with De Reszke. not only swapping the ribbon
but breaking the arm OF the machine. which
| swung and which struck Starter Fitzgerald
terrific blow in the ribs. De Reszke Is
usually a well behaved horse at the post. so
| that Shaw was clearly guilty Of wrong. Nor
rs Hayman. who owns De Reszke. evidently
| expected that somebody would bid the horse
| up, as he was entered to be sold for 81. 500,
although It was only recently that he won
| a stake. But there was no bid and Hayman
| went away smiling.
| When Cochran. who rode Leader In this
race. went before the stewards with protest
| of foul against De Reszke there was much
! applause from the crowd that gathered about
| the stand. prominent trainer was among
those who were clapping their hands.
| did you see any foul?" ask ed bystander.
NO." was the reply. but had a good bet
| on Grey Friar and disqualification will let
me cash in"
| Plunger Charley Ellison is due here shortly
with some good two-year-olds. He has
been very successful In the West lately.
| Some of the Drake combination played
| First Mason a place. but 1t was said that
| Drake and Gates went to Delhi for chunk.
| also that they lost a heavy commission on
n