Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-05
METROPOLITAN
RUN IN DEAD HEAT
JUDGES UNABLE TO SEPARATE
SYS0NBY AND RACE KING
OPENING OF BELMONT PARK
over Fifty Thousand People Witness
Sensational Running at Great
Stake Event-colonial Girl
In the Money
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
NEW YORK, May 4-One of the
greatest crowds that ever gathered e
see thoroughbred race in America
was at Belmont park today to witness
the sensational running of the Metro
politan handicap, in which James r.
Keene's 3-year-old Sysonby and O. L.
Richards Hardy 4-year-old Race KinG
finished so close together that the
judges were unable to separate them
Both owners announced their satisfac-
ton with the result and the purse of
over $4,000 was divided. Sysonby was
the favorte in the betting. his stable
mate, Delhi, having been withdrawn
Long odds were offered to the public
on Race King, but there were few who
thought highly of the Tenny colts
chances. The time of the race was
disappointing, showing that the Bel
mont tracks are still new" and slow.
More than $4,000 persons saw the race.
Racing men of prominence came from
all parts of the United States to take
part in the Inauguration Of the new
quarters of the Jockey club. the govern
ing body of eastern racing.
Added to The intense interest dis
played in the new track came the un-
expected result in the Metropolitan
handicap. which never before in its his
tory, extending back to 1891. has been
marked by dead heat The enthu-
siasm of the great crowd was un-
bounded as the two highly trained
thoroughbreds came pounding down
the long stretch. nod for nod, the
scene was thrilling. Beldame, the
champion filly of last year. was forgot
ten and in the ruCk at the finish. Half
a score of other thoroughbreds never
were thought of as the two leaders
rushed past the judges stand.
Field Of Twelve
An even dozen thoroughbreds went
to the post, Delhi, Pasadena, Tanya
and Siglight having been withdrawn
The scratching of Delhi made Sysonby
the favorite, at odds of to 1. Bel
dame was heavily played at 4 to l..
These two carried the bulk of the
wagers.
After tiresome delay at the post
the horses were sent away. Santa
Catalina had the rail and showed for
an instant in front, but SysOnby was
at her side and before the first quarter
pole had been reached the Keene
celors flashed to the fore. Beldame's
friends had a ray of hope for a moment
as the mare drew out of the struggling
mass and shot into third place.
Sysonby semed to have clear lead of
two or three lengths on the far turn,
but Shaw eased up his mount as
stiff wind struck him in the face al
lowing the field to close on him.
BeIdame in Ruck
Colonial Girl and Race King dis
placed Beldame and Santa Catalina,
who dropped back hopelessly beaten.
First Mason, stable companion of Co
lonial Girl, was not far away. Sysonby
was seen to bear away toward the out
side rail and at this side was Race
King.
Even went up denoting a dead
heat, for the crowd had witnessed
seldom seen in the handi-
cap and felt rewarded thereby, even if
not successful in backing the winner.
Behind Sysonby and Race King, but
on the inside rail, was Colonial Girl,
winner of the Worlds fair handicap at
st. Louis. Both she and her stable
mate, First Mason, ran a good race.
The others were beaten off.
James r. Keene and o. L. Richards,
owners of Sysonby and Race King,
quickly settled the question of the dead
heat by dividing the proceeds.
Belmont Park Inaugural, six furlongs.
won, oliver Cromwell
second, Regal third. Time, 113.
Four and half furlongs, straight
Veronez won, Merry Boy second,
Green Room third. Time, ;53 3-5.
The Juvenile stakes, five furlongs.
straight-First Water won, Vendor
second, Comedienne third. Time,
$50 2-5.
The Metropolitan handicap, one mile,
$40 900 added-Dead heat between Sy-
sonby, 1O7 SHAW, to /, and Race
King, 81 O.. SMITH, 20 to /; Colonial
Girl, III CA. w. Booker), 10 to /, third.
Time, 1;41 3-5. oxford, Dolly Spanker,
First Mason, Kehlain, Wotan, Bel
dame, Santa Catalina, Joaquin and
Ormondes Right also ran. Colonial Girl
and First Mason coupled in betting.
New York steeplechase, about two
and Plenty won, Flying
Buttress second, Rube third Time, 1854.
Seven furlongs, straight-King Pep
per won, Onatas second, Whorter third.
Time, 1:25 2-5.