The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
IRISH LAD PROVES
 HIS REPUTATION Takes the Big Metropolitan
 Handicap Easily. T0B0GGAN TAXES SECOND Iris Lad la'tersd |" the Stretch Which Raised Hopes of Others,
 But He Quickly Recov- 
 cred Himself.

New York May 5.-Irsh Lad won the thirteenth running of the Metropolitan handicap over the Withers' mile at Morris park today in easy fashion. He was carry ing top weight and was favorte in the betting by many points. Taking the lead in the first hundred yards he led his field without trouble,
 The horse seemed to show his super iorlty and at the three-quarters slack ened his speed as if unwilling to run faster than necessary, As a result the field closed up on him.
 Shaw then gave his mount vigorous shaking up. and Irish Lad drew out and won by two lengths from Toboggan an added starter from the Keen stable. Bel dame winner of the Carter handicap a few weeks ago, was third, after a nose and nose finish with the much vaunted High Ball
 All the entries that seemed to have chance to win got away from the post well except Lux Casta Damon was first 1o break, but when the first sixteenth was reached Irish Lad had gone through on the rail and was two lengths in front. Lord Badge, ridden by Cormack, ana heavily backed for second and third nlaces. was well away from the post ana near the outer rail. Beldome, with little Brennan up was up in the middle of the brnch and was one of the first away. AS soon as she got into her stride she 1o)ted toward the outer fence and struck I ord Badge sharply knocking the oiNer horse down on his side Cormack was sent rolling in the dust but rose unnJured
 Lord Badge Not Hurt.
 Lord Badge jumped to his feet quickly and was not hurt. Meanwhile. lrish Lad was running in slow time through the first and second quarters Of the race s,ith a scattered field behind him, Its / members constantly changing positions, with Mamie Worth, Toboggan, Red Knight. Stalwart and Damon his closest followers Mamie Worth quit at the dve-eights pole Something seemed to discourage High Ball just before the turn was reached and he backed up as If done lie was clear all the way, and no reason for his falterng was apparent esnecially in view of the fact that he came on again strongly in the stretch. Coming around the turn, Irish Lad held his lead, but the others began to draw nearer as they strengthened out for home. Irish Lad seemed to slow up as if to encourage his competitors. but Shaw was taking no chances
 With hands and heels he urged on the leader and Irish Lad responded gamey His apparent faltering had encouraged the others and Cochran on Red Knight Pullman on High Ball and Burns on To- began began to ride like mad, for they saw a chance to snatch the prize that had seemed so far out of their grasp when Irish Lad slacked his speed
 Was Vain Hope.
 It was a vain hope, however, for the Candlemas colt was going easy and with
 lt an effort increased his advantage a
 ngth gaining still more as he neared ae end, and winning by two lengths rom Toboggan, who game
 Beldame and High Ball, striving for tlird honors. had nose and nose battle in the last fifty yards. Beldame proved the gamer under Brennan's urging and nushed her muzzle under the wire a few inches in front of last years champion 2-year-old. The time was l 40
 The race was worth about sl1,50o to the X winner 5000 to second and 5000 to third. IA crowd estimated at s. GOO saw the race. The day was delightful and the track in perfect condition.
 Under the terms of the Jockey club the start for the Metropolitan and the other races was directly behind the bar Tier and standing start as\in previous years This dseontinues the lsystem in troduced by Mars Cassidy of f{having the horses walk up to the barriIr.
 Only six of the thirteen staNters