The Washington times., 1905-12-01
D|VERT|NG COMEDY
IN STEEPLECHASE.
Billy Ray Won Because He
Couldn't Help 1t.
TIP WAS DOCTORS FEE
Gallagher Gave Dr.. Harry Kerr Good
Thing for Setting DislOcated
Shoulder.
TIP WAS DOCTORS FEE

Thanksgiving is always Benning's big
gest racing day. and yesterday was no
exception In spite Of the drop IN the
temperature. a very large crowd was
out II was very close TO the record.
# not record itself, and for enthusiasm
there surely was never more enthu-
s.ast;c crowd than that OF yesterday.
They had many reasons to enthuse.
First. il helped to keep warm; second,
the crowd was fairly lucky, but princi-
pally because there were some amusing
incidents Injected into the sport that
would have made 4 cigar store Indian
lose his tcOmpOsure.
The second steepleeha-e was the chief
mirth producer, and II was something
OF farce so FAR as racing goes. but the
comedy parts were well played up. On,
" four horses ran and the race looked
ike gift for WOolgatherer. The only
one considered TO have q chance against
him was Billy Rag, and Billy Ray
couldn't jump little biz be was Tur-
long behind the others aIteT one tour
OF the field. But his opportunity came
all in heap and victory was actually
thrust upon HIM First, Currant fell
IN the front stretch. then Gypsic and
WoolgaJhereF went down in heap,
leaving Billy Ray the 0nlX runner II
was only a question OF Billy Ray get
ting over the last two rences. And how
that crowd did root that he would for
ne was well backed by the local folk
who would not take the short price
about the favorite and with whom Ril-
Is Ray Is popular.
COULDN'T Help Winning.
II was q trying moment when Billy
Ray came 70 the last fence. He had
been jumping so badly that every one
expected 10 see him go down His
rider was urged to -'get a crltch" for
the horse and other irrelevant remarks
were hurled at the horse. But Billy
Ray got safely over and the crowd
turned its attention 10 the other horses.
All we-e remounted and finished the
course But sWoolgatherer and Cyfss5c
w re remounted by boys in street ap-
stretch. the crowd had its fun all over.
Ciutching The horses name with one
hand, for the bride had slipped. Callahan
who rode G5pslc. made a brave effort,
whipping the horse with his hat, but,
except for pleasing the crowd he might
have spared his headgear for Woelgath-
erer beat him out
Tip fer Fee.
Gallagher. who rode Woolgatherer
had his shoulder dlslocated and was
brought 10 the paddock IN the ambu-
lance. The injury was treated by Dr.
Harry Kerr. and when he was through
with mis- bandages and splints Gallagher
advised him 10 have Z bet on Ben Crock
eft for the Cup -
Hell win sure said Gallagher
You've been pretty nice 10 me. and I'd
Ike 10 see you win a bet. I'm feeling
AL right now, so just hustle along and
get q. bet down before the horses gei
And DR.. Kerr took the advice. Ber
Crocketts victory was tremendously
popular with the crowd. He won th'
Maximum Stakes here last year. anC
that race was reTnemb bered by the Ioca
folk The regulars who knew that BeT
Crockett has been steepleehasing tai.
season fought shy, but the long lines be
hind the cashiers after the race Shove.
that the occasional visitors had scores
over the regulars this time. Ben Crock
EFT was a little lame after the race, bu
not enough 70 keen him from going [,
.he post well backed for the Maximum
Stakes tomorrow
Stokes After Crockett
But II the track is dry on Saturday. a
seems probable now, Al Stokes will tax
another crack at Ben Crockett wit
Banker. He believes Banker viii ri
better over fast track than he did ]
the heavy going yesterday. Ostrich wi
have to be reckoned with IN Saturday
stakes also He was plainly short yes
ferday but with that race under his be
he viii run much better. The Maximum
IN fact. promises TO be a very smaI
race
Gallagher thought Ben Crockett was
cinch. and advised the owners OF th
hcTse. 7. P. Phelan and James @
ruthers, 10 bet At least 5000 on him
win. They were doubtful however, ar
played the horse to show instead OF
win. Resuit-a net loss Of $4,000.