The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-01
GREAT RACE NOT ACCORDING ID FORM Sketch of the Thoroughbreds
 of 1904 THE BROOKLYN HANDICAP In Many Respects the Race Was Dis appointment to True Lovers of
 sports-The Suburban
 Handicap Discussed.
THE BROOKLYN HANDICAP
RY A. E. cAFFEE.

AAAe result, for an analysis of the quality of the mighty racers must inevitably stamp the Brooklyn of 1904 as a race not truly run by the peerless coursers engaged in the struggle. The New York papers promptly announced that 'it was the greatest of all Brooklyn handicaps.' It was unquestionably one of the poorest, and most disappointing. There were en- gagged in this great contest five horses that from historic achievements on the turf during the last three seasons, stood out pre-eminently superior in class to the other eleven that started in the race. It was thought possible. and under fair and favorable conditions it would not have been possible for any horse outside of this ilustrious quintette to have fin- ished within the money.
 Stand Very Close.
 Those five great race horses, on their achievements in actual turf battle, stand relatively close to one another in what is expected of them by the intelligent handicapper. McChesney, Africander. Irish Lad, Hermis and The Picket are all great race horses, and on past perform ances rank respectively in capacity as they are named. Undoubtedly this Is the greatest quintette of thoroughbreds that ever appeared caparisoned and equipped for mighty struggle on an American race course, but the disappointing result platl- ly condemns trainers and owners of com hitting the egregious blunder of starting three of them when totally out of condi- tion to run such a heartrending contest at a mile and a quarter.
 In sheer Disgrace.
 Instead of these five equine kings en- gazing in a struggle for supremacy and mastery from 'eend to eend" as old John Harper expressed it, McChesney and Africander finished in sheer dis grace, at the tail end of a Tuck composed of last years brigade of sprinters, and the princely Hermis was run into the earth just after the first mile had been accomplished. It is true that Irish Lad carried Hermis a fierce and dizzy clip for the mile, the time being 1:s9 2-5. yet the handsome son of Hermence and Katy of the West can in condition, hold his marvellous flight of speed well beyond the handicap distance. To the true sportsman, the performance of these three high class racers was not short of modification and deep chagrin.
 The victor in the Graesend classic, The Picket was well away when the barrier rose, in good position. and his jockey, young Helgerson-that wizard of the saddle, who has just come out of the great west keenly surveyed and fathom- ed the situation he saw Hermis and Irish lad out in front of him racing the very hearts out of each other, and he sagely took double wraps on The Picket <..1 .4e. G1x.. I able rivals to test each others heart strings in the fearful struggle going on four lengths in front of him. When Her mis surrendered just after passing the mile post, and Irish Lad was under such a perilous flight of speed that he had to take the turn wide, this astute Chicago lad quickly let The Picket down wrap and moved into a close position on the rail, saving several lengths, and then and there secured the advantage that gave him victory by a short nose.
 Noise Made Him Swervc.
 Willie Shaw, that master hand in the saddle, says that Irish Lad swerved out at the turn on-account of the noise of the great crowd and made the opening for Helgerson to move The Picket into, but it Is more probable that, well in front, he felt secure of victory for his great horse, and underrated the track witchery of that capable boy close behind him on the Kentucky colt. Whatever may have been the cause of Irish Lads defeat, it cost Willie Shaw many a heartache. for to him, victory in the classic Brooklyn meant a prize of inestimabe value.
 The rider of The Pickett is a lad of 19 years as capable as any on the Ameri- can turf. few years ago, when this now brilliant jockey was ain undersized boy of 12 years, he drifted to the Chicago race tracks, from God knows where and mind you, this poorly clad youth had noth- ing on earth between him and starvation except hope, and the dope sheet on hope didn't show hope to win by long shot. But there was something in the kids eye that attracted Attention. and there was a courage in his heart that was sublime, and 1t has carried him through the fierce battles of his youth to the fairest and most resplendent success in his profess sion-victory in a great classic event Of the turf. He was all but crushed to death a year ago by taking his mount into just such a close place as he piloted The Picket through on the rail to his glorious victory, yet he did not hesitate an instant to take the fearful chances of mutilation ar death the second time. He had his baptism of suffering at Wentworth last year. when crowding a 2-year-old into an onening on the rail. His mount went down and he was thrown against a post. He lowered between life and death sev- eral days. but an operation by the sur gaons who attended President Mckinley | saved his life.
 The Picket Is true American, repre- | sentative of the great family of Leaning | ion On his sire's side The P1ckett runs l baclx to the sire of Iroquois, the only | American-bred horse that ever won the | Ero,ish derby-through Enquirer. Ills dam Voltario is a daughter Of Volante ana Alice West Alice West was daugn- ter of Ieonatus. son of old John Harper mighty Longfellow, son of Leamlngton' h. | He is Kentucky bred and owned, ana ms victory is popular in the south
 The Suburban.
 | Tn a little more than two weeks, June | 16. these mighty racers will meet again' | with the additoin of the knightly wa terboy, in the great Suburban handicap' the princely prize at Sheepshead Bay | then we may hope to see them all in per- | feet form, and fit in all respects to strug- gle for the lordly prize. believe that my statements herein will be confirmed in | that rich event on the lovely track by the | sea. It Is more than likely that the | Brooklyn will pale into insignifcance in l comparison with the 1904 Suburban, and we will be reminded of the fierce strug- | gles of the past between Norfolk and Lodi, Kentucky and Asteroid, the hair | raising contests of Idlewold and Danger ous, Springbok and Preakness, the fade less laurels won by Firenzi, The Bard, Salvador, Imp, Watercolor and other