The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-05
PULSES JUMP To
POUNDING HOOFS
Sysonby and Race King
Fly to Goal.
AND IT'S A DEAD HEAT
An Immense Crowd Gather at Belmont
Park and Witness Race Having
No Parallel in the History of
the Metropolitan Handi-
cap.
(Bv the Associated Press

New York, May 4.-One of the
see a thoroughbred race in America
was at Belmont Park today to wit
ness the sensational running of the
Metropolitan Handicap, in which Jas.
r. Keene's three-year- SycOnby
and O. L. Richards hardy four-year-
old Race King finished so close to-
gether the judges were unable to sep
arate them. Both owners announced
their satisfaction with the result as
it stood and the purse. amounting to
more than $4,000, was divided.
Sysonby was the favorite in the be-
ginning, his stable mate, Delhi, hav-
ing been withdrawn.
Long odds were offered the public
on Race King, but there were few
who thought highly of the jenny colt s
chance. The time of the race was
disappointing, showing that the Bel
mont tracks are still new" and slow.
Drawn by the dual attraction of the
opening Of the newest and the great
est of American race tracks, and the
fourteenth renewal of the Metropoli-
tan handicap more than $4,000 per-
sons made the trip to Belmont Park.
The scene in the vast enclosure when
the handicap horses paraded to the
post was one of never ending brill
liancy.
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
history, extending back to 1891, has
been marked by a dead heat. The
enthusiasm of the great crowd was
unbounded 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 for
gotten, and in the ruck at the finish
half q score Of other thoroughbrcds
never were thought of as the two
leaders rushed past the judges stand.
The Start is Made.
After rather tiresome delay at the
post the horses were sent away. San
Ia Catalina had the rail and showed
for an instant in front but Sysonby
was at her side and before the first
uartcr pole had been reached the
keene colors flashed to the fore.
Beldamc's friends had a ray of hope
for a moment as the mare drew out
of the struggling mass and shot into
third place.
Colonial Girl and Race King dis
who dropped back hopelessly beaten
First Mason, stable companion of Co
lonial Girl, was not far away, and as
the mass of colorS Whirled around the
bend into the stretch and directly to-
ward the grand stand a chere went up
from the field stand and ran down the
broad lawns to the club house lige d
roar of artillery. SysOnby was seen to
bear away toward the outside rail and
at his side was Race King, the little
sWaybaCkeG son of The famous Tenny.
Hearts in T'hrOatS.
To even the most hardened race
goer, the struggle between the two was
such as to send a lump into the throat.
There was an instant's silence as the
thoroughbreds dashed along the rail-
Fire one brown muZzle showed in
front and then the other as the horses
strained every fibre to gain an inch.
Shaw and Smith were driving like
mad but to no purpose, and their
charges finished so closely together
that the judges were unable to sepa-
rate them.
The Metropolitan Handicap, $1,000
added, one mile. SysOnby 2 to /, Race
King 20 to 1. dead heat; Colonial Girl
Is to 1, third Time al 80.