The San Francisco call., 1904-11-25
Fossil, With Knapp
Up, Finishes in
the Place.
GOLDMONEYTHIRD
Military Man Loses
to H. L. Frank
by a Nose.
BY FRED e MULHOLLAND.

Unquestionably during the gala times
OF the old Ocean Side track when the
town was smaller and the pancake hat
and puffed hair were the correct thing,
some mighty big crowds found their
way TO the old course. Then a single
four-mile race was greeted with as
much acclaim by the simple argonauts
as is a Thanksgiving day dinner with
a small bottle Of the vintage on the
side, by hungry tramp.
But the vast cOncourse of holiday
pleasure seekers which kept the turn
stiles at Oakland track clicking yester-
day like the monOtonOus buzzing of
the roulette wheels at Monte Carlo, sur
passed sll previous gatherings of re-
cent years, a conservative estimate
placing the number of persons present
at nearly 10000 1t was most assured
ly a tribute Of confidence to the new
California Jockey Club for its efforts to
conduct the sport in an iTreprOachable
manner. The women were gowned ac-
cOrding to fashions latest edicts and
the men were we'll grOomed and
dressed. resembling December fashion
plates. Even the cosy little clubhouse
was packed, its verandas being so
jammed with societys elect that only
the old English brick chimney was
discernible from the paddock
RACING Is SUPERB.
The racing was superb. AS a season.
ing sauce for the plum pudding that
went with the turkey. the innumerable
Derby winner Claude, the favorite. cap
tured the rich Thanksgiving handicap.
at one and an eighth miles. worth S217O
70 the winner. He was faultlessly rid
den by Eddie Dominick, one of the most
popular boys that ever donned the silk
in this part Of the world Everybody
seemed happy over the victory of Mike
Days horse.
There was a surging, seething mass
OF people in the ring. and in the scram-
ble TO get money in action etiquette was
tossed TO the winds. Seventeen ordinary
and three field books were inadequate
10 handle the coin. Although four ia
vorites came through. the major por-
tion of the layers won
The handicap was fourth on the pro-
gramme. with nine acceptances. Know
ing the fOndness Of the public for the
Jennings colors, Gold Money, carrying
49, and Arcade, with LOG pounds up,
coupled, had first call in the opening
betting ShOuldering top weight after
the declinatiOn Of Dainty to appear,
Claude attracted the most attention; in
fact, he was finally made the medium
Of a plunge closing favorite over the
Jennings pair.
FOSSIL HAS FRIENDS.
Game little Fossil had a host of
friends and with Big Bill' Knapp at
the tiller his chances looked bright.
Ananias, BOmbardier and Barklyite
were also well supported. After the
usual parade there was only a minute
and a half delay at the post when
Dick Dwyer sprung the barrier.
Claude swerved at the start, interfer-
ing somewhat with Ananias. Bombar-
dier and Arcade. The stay of Colonel
Anderson in front was not lengthy,
and then Reed. astride Ananias
picked up the running, trailed by
Leila. Fossil and Gold Money. In this
order. with the rest well punched be-
hind them, the bend for home was
rounded. Dominick now made his
run with Claude and a furlong away
from the stand the DAILY horse was
in front. with the others all driving
Fossil alone was the dangerous one
and he could get but within a length
of the favorite, which won cleverly in
I:53%. A length behind Fossil, Gold
Money held Ananias safe for the small
END Of the purse.
When Dominick. on the winner. re-
turned TO the winners circle ne re-
ceived perfect ovation. Fossil. too,
was not forgotten for his splendid
showing.
AS il was reported in inner circles
that Sad Sam had only recently recov-
cred from an attack Of whOoping cough
or some other infantile ailment, the
books made a mark of the willowy half
breed. They made a target of him and
held Matt Hogan at such a short price
that the public was forced to let the
latter alone.
SAD SAM is BACKED.
In desperation. the crowd fell to Sad
sam, finally forcing the ring to cut
from 25z to IL 10 5. Sam was not so i'll
as he might have been, for Sherwood
kept him in front from the jump, and in
a hard drive beat Davis on the favor