The San Francisco call., 1904-03-20
VETERANO FAUL TLESSLY RIDDEN BY MARTIN,
CAPTURES THE HISTORIC THORNTON STAKE
Rio Shannon Beats
Sailor Knot for
the Place.

The grizzled turf veteran sneers at
our sprinters of to-day as would a
Vermont farmer II given a piece of
Rocquefort cheese to MUNICH with his
apple pie.
He loves TO tell of the deeds per-
formed a decade ago by such equine
giants OF renown as Norfolk. Lodi,
Thad Stevens, True Blue. Katy Pease
and Hook Hooking. When three four
mile heats were reeled Off under the
suns rays Of the afternoon and the
fourth and deciding one at dusk, af-
ter supper had been partaken Of.
Apparently these golden memories
OF the past survive and are cherished
TO q certain extent by the pres ent gen.
GRAFTON Of the far Western country.
orr Of the largest Saturday crowds Of
the season saw the tenth renewal of
the Thornton stake run at Oakland
track yesterday, despite the unpropi-
Iious weather.
The course was a perfect sea of
mud, but the rain held aloof until the
hcrses had completed their four-mile
n amp, then the skies broke loose with
e fresh supply Of wet goods. Hora-
tus was an absentee and this left but
four, Veterano, Rio Shannon. Sailor
Knot and The Way. TO go for the val
uable prize, Of which the winners
share was $3.50.
HORATIUS is DRAWN.
With Horatius nibbling hay in his
stall, Veterano, owned by Walt Vivell
and the mount Of Jack Martin. was
the talents selection and a pro-
nounced favorite. He won and so de-
cisively as to leave no room for doubt
but that he was the best horse.
Mike DAILY sent his three-year- old
Sailor Knot. a fcrlorn hope. to the
post and the colt ruled second choice.
For "A bit over three miles Willie DAILY,
on Sailor Knot which was shoulder
ing but Sc pounds under the condi-
tions Of the race, shaped up the pace
for the favorite on sufferance. Then
Martin assumed the leading position
with Neterano and il ceased longer to
be a contest the first choice winning
pricking his ears and nOdding in 1897.
Twenty lengths in his wake came Rio
shannon, which Willie See had ridden
into second position. and forty lengths
farther away Sailor Knot wobbled in
third soon after the start Noun
tain's saddle on The Way slipped and
for two and three-quarters miles he
persevered, perched on the horses
neck. finally being obliged to pull up.
OVATION FOR VETERANO.
on his return TO the stand, the win
ner received the usual ovation and
looking but slightly distressed. sub
mitted with good grace to having the
great floral horseshoe placed about his
neck Jack Martin. too, was applaud
ed for his cool and clever plotting Of
the fav0rite.
Veterano is a bay horse four years
old by Rey El Santa Anita Orange
Leaf and was bred by E. J. Baldwin.
About one year ago he was disposed Of
by Jimmy Coffey. owner OF Rio Shan
non, for $500, Walt Nivel being the
purchaser.
Throughout the afternoon the horses
ran true TO form and the ring quit big
loser. -Four first choices, as usual and
p third chance were the purse winners.
Matt Hogan, Veterano and ARABIC were
especially well supported.
So brisk was speculation on the prob
able outcome Of the $1,000 handicap over
one mile and seventy yards, for which
4 field OF eight contested. that there
was no actual favorite. Every horse
starting appeared TO have friends, with
ARABIC and AIOdicum finally settling
down as the crowds pick, each being
held at 4 1-2. Dick Dwyer sent the
Martin quickly showing first on the
Jennings horse ARABIC. The big chest
nut fairly reveled in the going, and
after shaking of Kenilworth and
Ocean Dream, held Warte Nicht up his
sleeve, winning by three lengths
Bonner. on G. W. Trahern, finished a
good third. Modicum at one time