Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-09
OF ALE SORTS
Big Fields on Today's Program
at Benning.
TRACK FAIRLY FAST
YESTERDAYS RACES WERE THE
BEST OF THE MEETING.
Washington Ball Club Reorganized and
Officers Elected-Golf at Pine
hurst-Bowling News.

hurst-Bowling News.
With the finish of the spring meeting Of
the Washington Jockey Club at Benning,
but five days away the fields naturally in
crease as the owners are anxious to make
expenses at least, and enter horses with
far-away chances of winning. Today's
card was a big one, there being twenty
seven entries in the first race, and all the
others were comfortably filled Many own
ers had to hustle to get jockeys, and sew
eral riders made their debut in the saddle.
The Southern steeplechase was the feature
of the card, and served to attract many
who enjoy this sort of sport. The weather
was simply perfect, the temperature being
just right for outdoor sport, and the crowd
in attendance was the largest of the meet
ing. the delegations from Philadelphia and
Baltimore packing the special trains to the
doors. The track is very soft, the result
Of last nights rain, but the going was
easier for the thoroughbreds on account Of
the good foundation.
Notwithstanding that majority of yes
terdayS races were run in the rain, the
sport was about the best of the meeting,
three of the finishes seeing the winner but
neck in front, while two others were won
by short heads. In the second race Fila
positive win of the afternoon. Starter Cas-
sidy again had his troubles in getting the
horses away from the post, and his after
Moons work can only be classed as fair.
In the first race Grazallio was the favor
lite. but Fustain, the second choice, got
dubious decision on the wire by head.
These horses raced out in front, coming
down the stretch. and to almost everybody
in the grand stand 1T BOXED though the
Columbia stable thoroughbred had gained
splendid victory, and when Fustians num-
Der went UP there was considerable kissing.
Preen was an odds on favorite in the third,
but The Claimant made him hustle for all
he was worth N the last fifty yards, the
victory being won by only neck. Another
splendid finish Robbed up in the fourth,
when Mrs. Frank Foster almost got up to
Honolulu on the wire, the latter winning by
neck. The Foster mare was freely backed
by the small betters, and when it was seen
that she had Chance to win the cheering
was terrific. Seven furlongs is little too
far for Mrs. Foster, but she certainly did
we'll even at that distance. Nnespot cap
tured the fifth race by neck from Spring
brook. the finish being very exciting.
An Exciting Finish.
The last race brought several Of the best
horses at the track with Sails the favorite
at to 1, SetauSet being the second choice.
Starter Cassidy so his field away in good
shape. the favorite being the first to show,
and he acted as pacemaker all around the
track. In the last fifty yards Rough Rider,
who had been running last almost all the
way, came forward with splendid burst of
speed and came within a head of getting
the verdict from Sais on the wire. This
finish was the most exciting of the after
noon, as thousands had backed Rough Rider
and had given up hope of seeing him in the
money. When his bandaged head was seen
coming through the field there was a tre-
mendous shouting and clapping of hands.
and had he won it would have been one of
MOI lar wiz n TING
The victory of Sails placed four favorites in
front on the afternoon. Fila and Fustian
being the second choice and outsider, re-
spectively, to get the money.
Jockey Walsh is in no danger of being
overworked. He has spent fully half his
time on the ground under suspension since
the meeting began. and was yesterday
again suspended for three of the five re-
naming days of the meeting. Cassidy was
inclined to suspend him Thursday for mis-
behavior, but he promised so faithfully to
mend his ways that the ruling was not
made. He forgot all of his good intentions,
however, yesterday. Walsh is now out of
the apprentice class, as he scored his first
success on Ben Howard one year ago yes
terday.
The bidding up of selling race winners
goes merrily along. and HI. r. Griffin, who
has always been very energetic in this
gard, got dose of it after Nine Spot had
won the fifth race, but it was not serious
enough to make any big dent in his bank
roll, though it took the purse away from
him. Entered to be sold for $1,000, Nine
Spot was bid UP to 81 300 by a man un-
known to any of those around the judges
stand. Griffin protected the f1lIy with the
customary advance of S.
A Promising Youngster.
The Claimant, who finished second to
Preen in the race for two-year-old maid
ems, and who ran a slashing good race, is
the joint property of Thomas Hitchcock,
| jr., in whose name he ran yesterday, and
John E. Madden, registration of partner
ship having been filed some weeks ago.
The Claimant cost $500 yearling. and
was voted by some friends Of the stable as
the best youngster that has shown at the
meeting.
Jockey Redfern will not ride again at the
meeting. He was confined to his room at
the Hotel Lincoln yesterday with severe
cold DR.. James Kerr was in attendance
upon him twice during the day. and while
his Illness is not considered to be serious,
there is no doubt that he is a pretty sick
boy.
He had considerable fever during the
| day. Just so soon as he is able to be
moved he will be taken to his home at
Bensonhurst, and hopes to be in good
shape again for the opening of the metro
pOlitan season.
Summaries.
Following are the summaries of yester-
days races:
| First race, six and one-half furlongs;
| three-year-olds and up-Fustian, 1O6 &c.
| Walsh. to 1 and to 10, won; Graziallo,
| % Oh. Phillips), to and 1 to 2, second;
| Stroller, los SHAW, 10 to 1. third. Time:
LIB. Pompano. Rain or Shine Eclectic. Il
| lyria also ran.
| Second race, one-haif mile; two-year-olds:
maiden filles and geldings-Filia. 1O4 Gar
1 mack, 10 to 1 and 4 to /, won; Makey
Moore 1O7 SHAW o to and 2 to 1, second;
| Court Plaster, 104 &C. Thompson) Is to l..
| third. Time. 90 3-5. Diamond Flush, Dixie
| Andrews, SUMMARY, Wish, Linda Rose,
Miss A. Russell, Lady Alvia, Blue Print
| and Fear Water also ran.
| Third race one-half mile; maiden two
| year-old colts-Preen, LIP (McCue). to 8
| and out won; The Claimant, 10S SHAW. %
| to / and to 1, second; Jack McKeon, 1O7
| DEAN, 80 to 1. third. Time: .51 3-5.
| Black Ball, Master Douglass, Wild Irish
i Iol.. nlo Il1,-c. ..lcx.