The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-27

NEW YORK, May 26.-Coming down
along the rail in the last few strides of the
run to the wire, The Picket, the Western
champion in the Brooklyn handicap, this
afternoon snatched victory away from the
ever-popular Irish Lad, the Brooklyn win
ner of last year and the Metropolitan win
ner of this year.
1t was scarcely more than the nod of a
head, but the hardy Westerner finished
stronger than the Duryea colt, whose ter
rife pace with Hermis up to the very home
stretch would have tried to the utmost the
stoutest of heart and the sturdiest OF limb
Frantic cheers which had been ringing
from the threats of nearly 10000 onlookers
died away when it was realized that Irish
Lad had gone down to defeat.
Proper, the California candidate, came
through at the end and beat out Hermis
for third place. The time for the mile was
1:3e 2-5, and for the mile and a quarter
2:06 3-5-one and one-fifth seconds slower
than the race record made by Irish Lad
last year.
The handicap was worth $4,000 of which
$3.50 went to the second horse and $500
to the third.
A great outpouring of turf devotees wit
messed the eighteenth running of the classic
event. Hours before the time set for the
first race the turnstiles at the gateways
began clicking, and before half-paSt 2, the
hour for the first race, both tiers of the
doube-decked grand stand were crowded
to the limit, the lawn was black with peo-
pie and they had begun to overflow into
the field. The crowd was put in good
humor when the favorite won the first
race.
IRISH LAD POPULAR.
AS the time for the handicap. the fourth
event on the programme, drew near, the
name of Irish Lad, from the stable of Her
man b. Duryea, could be heard on all sides
He had grown into immense popularity
after it had been definitely learned that
there was little hope for McChesney. owing
to the injury sustained by him in his work
a few days ago. McChesney's owners
frankly admitted that they had little hope
of gaining any distinction in the race, but
were determined to send him over the route
as an evidence of good faith. There were
sixteen thoroughbreds entered and four or
five of these had recorded victories during
the past two years in the prlncipal
classic events of the American turf. In
addition to this four of them-Irish Lad.
Hermis, Hurstbourne and Africander-had
won races this season in commanding style.
Reports of sensational time made by The
Picket in his workouts brought him many
supporters but the rank and file was loath
to put full confidence in his ability under
the conditions with which he was con-
fronted.
Although the weather was ideal and the
track swept by the cooling breeze from the
Atlantic, the betting ring was a sweltering
mass of struggling humanity. No sooner
had the race been posted than there was a
rush to back Irish Lad Three and half
to / were the prevailing quotations for a
time, but money poured steadily into the
ring, and when the bugle sounded calling
the field TO the post no better price than IL
to 5 could be had against the favorite.
F'AvORITE OFF FIRST.
Hermis opened and closed at to 1. The
Picket was we'll played. but his price re-
coded only two points. From tens he was
backed to to l. Much of the speculation
on the winner, 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 in a desultory manner, but the bulk
of the public wagers continued to pour in
upon the favorite until the horses appeared
in front of the grand stand on their way
to the post Starter Fitzgerald lined them
up, up back lci,,, of the barrier and after fI
splendid order. Irish Lad, on the rail, led
his field, with The Picket second and Her
mis- third. Helgeson on The Picket eased
his mount a trifie, and when the racers
passed the grand stand Hermis and Irish
Lad had hooked up side by side for their
Eeartbreaking struggle which was TO con-
tinue nearly mile. The Picket running
easy in third place, made a nice pace for
the balance of the field. The Thomas colt
and the favorite struggled in vain each to
master the other. 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 far turn
and made for the last one which headed
them into the stretch Shaw, on the favor
lite. and Redfern, on Hermis, were bringing
out every ounce of speed in their
mounts, while Helgeson was drawing
The Picket together for the final
rush to the goal. He closed a
gap of two or three lengths, and before
they had reached the last quarter pole was
close up on the firing leaders. Hermis had
run his race and was dropping back and
Shaw swung the favorite trife wide As
he did so Helgeson shot in on the rail and
in driving finish. seventy yards from the
the Duryea colt. Lyme, on Proper, in a Wig
orous ride, brought the Jennings candidate
alongside OF Hermis. who fell back to
fourth place.
CRIES OF THOUSANDS
There was a scene of excitement which
has seldom been equaled. Cries from
thousands urging the favorite and
shrieking the name of the jockey rent the
air. When Hermis fell back upon entering
the stretch the cheers seemed to redoublc
in volume and for few seconds. when it
seemed almost certain that Irish Lad
would repeat his victory of last year, 1000
persons screamed his name men threw
their hats into the air and embraced
one another out of sheer delight at being
fortunate enough 10 have witnessed the
grand struggle. They did not realize how