Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-27
And Favorite Irish Lad Loses
Brooklyn Handicap.
Perfectly Ridden, the Western Horse
Lands a Nose Ahead.
Time, 2.06 3-5-Rase Worth $4,000 to
the Winner.

noon, at GraVeSond, when The Plchet
lowered the cOlors of popular Irish
Lad, in the Brooklyn handicap. While
the latter colt was beaten by only the
breadth of a hand it is due to the
winner to say that if the race had
been one quarter of a mile longer the
Western wonder probably would have
finished several lengths in front He
was perfectly ridden from beginning
to end and at the Crucial moment
moved up on the rail, and, 20 yards
from the finishing line, poked his nose
in front of the firing favorite. Frantic
cheers which had been ringing from
the 6rOatS of nearly 10000 Onlookers
died away when it was realized that
Irish Lad had gone down to defeat.
The time of today's race was 2.06 80.
Hcrmis and the favorite, irish Lad
got away from the barrier practically
together. They ran for three-quarters
of mile like a team, but upon swing
ing into the home stretch HermiS died
away. Proper, the California candidate,
rushing up from the rear under a
vigorous ride by Lucien Tyne, took
lthird money by a head. The handicap
was worth 500, OOO of which $4,000 went
third.
A great outpouring of turf devotees
| witnessed the 18th running of the
handicap Hours before the time set
for the first race the turnstiles at the
Eatcways began clicking and before
o'clock the grand stand, club house and
the big field stand were well filled. Be
| fore the hour for the first race both
tiers of the dOuble-decked grand stand
were crowded to the limit, the lawn
was black with people and they had
begun to overflow into the field.
The crowd was put in a good humor
| when the favOrite won the first race.
AS the time for the handicap, which was
the fourth event, drew near, the name
of Irish Lad from the stable of Herman
r. Duryea. could be heard on all sides.
The horse had grown into immense
popularity after it had been definitely
| learned that there was little hope for
McChesney owing to the injury sus-
tanned in his work few days ago. His
owners admitted they had little hope
of gaining any distinction, but were
determined to send him over the route
as an evidence of good faith.
There were &c thoroughbreds entered
in the competition and four or five Of
these had recorded victories during the
past two years in the principal classic
events of the American turf. In addi-
ton TO this, four of them-Irish Lad,
Hermis, HursthOurne and Africander
had won races, this season, in splendid
style. Reports of sensational time
made by The Pickett in workouts
| l.: n-fn
When the horses had warmed up for
| the race, on being taken back to the
paddock, there was a terrific rush for
the betting ring around which there
| soon was a sweltering mass of strug-
Cling humanity. No sooner had the
odds been posted than there was rush
of offerings to Irish Lad. Three and
three and a half to one were the pre-
vailing quotations for a little while,
but money poured steadily into the
ring and when the field was called to
the post no better price than IL to 5
could be had. Hermis opened and
closed at to 1. The Picket was well
played, but his price reached only two
points. From 10 to he was backed to
to 1.
Much of the speculation on the win
ner, however, was conducted through
the winter books and large sums were
won both here and in the West on his
victory. Every horse in the race was
played to a desultory manner, but the
bulk of the public wagers continued to
pour i'm upon Irish Lad until the horses
appeared in front of the grand stand OIL
their way to the post.
Starter Fitzgerald sent them away in
splendid order. Irish Lad. on the Jail,
led his field, with The Picket second
and Hermis third. Holgesen on The
Picket, eased his mount a trifle and
when the racers passed the grand stand
Hermis and Irish Lad were side by
side The Picket running easy in third
place made a nice pace for the balance
of the field. The Thomas colt and the
fayorite struggled, each to master the
lother Across the circular track from
the grand stand and three-quarters of
a mile from the starting point they were
running like one horse.
In this manner they swung around
the turn and made for the last one
which headed them into the stretch
Shaw, on the favorite, and Redfern, on
lHermis, were bringing out every ounce
lgesen was drawing The Picket together
for the final rush. He closed a gap OF
two or three lengths and before the
Headers had reached the last quarter
lpole was close upon them. Hermis had
run his race and dropped back slowly.
The Picket, close to the rail, worked
his way alongside Irish Lad, who vas
firing rapidly and as the flyers rushed
past the pole, 70 yards from the finish.
he poked his nose in front Of the
Duryea entry. Lyme, on Proper. who
moved up from 10th place at the half
mile to fifth position, urged the Jen-
nings candidate alongside Hermis, who
fell back to fourth place.
A scene of excitement which has
seldom been eQualled on the race track
prevailed during the brief time elaps-
ing after the struggling thoroughbreds
had passed the three-quarters post.
Cries from thousands of threats urging
on the favorite and shrieking the name
of his jockey were heard. For a few
lseconds when it seemed almost certain
Il L.