New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-21
CHAMPION FOR HYLAS.
BEATS COLIGNY Il Held.
Running Water IN Brilliant Duel
scitb NedIon at Belmont Park.

With that indomitable courage which has
made fl possible for him TO win many races
Hylas, running in the name and colors of Thorn
Hitchcock. jr.. won the Champion Steeple-
chase at Belmont Park yesterday. Victory was
only his IN the last stride as dozen Jumps
from the wire J. E. widener's Coligny seemed
to have the rich prize Of something over $4,000
and the $500 cup coveted among owners OF
cross-country horses safely won. Altar. the
pacemaker through large part Of the long,
trying journey of three miles and half, was
third many lengths back, while John II. P, the
English chaser, imported TO this country at great
cost and Woolgatherer. the other starters, were
pulled up as they found the jumps too stiff and
the journey too far.
The stirring finish and brilliant ending TO the
most important steeplechase Of the season more
than made up TO the fair sized crowd in at
tendance for the discomfort of being at the track
under the most unfavorable weather conditions
that could well be imagined. There hardly
q dry place in the huge grandstand, as a raw,
easterIy wind drove the drilling rain into the
most protected corners The track was deep in
sloppy mud, and altogether the outlook was for
a most dismal ending to a most successful meet
ing To this was added the disappointment that
raceeoers felt in the indefinite postponement
which the rain caused of Roseben's race against
Tina, with Salvator's record of 1851 for one
mile as the objective point. The record, which
has stood since 1890. was in grave danger, but
the storm came 10 the rescue Of Salvador and
prevented Roseben, perhaps from earning
greater fame.
Those who went TO the track, however, were
well repaid as, IN addition to the good race for
the Champion Steeplechase, Running Water and
Nealon INDUCED in long and bitter duel in the
running of the Belmont Park weight for age
race of two miles and quarter. from which
Running Water emerged with short head VIC
tory.
Thomas Hitchcock, jr. and Ray were warmly
congratulated after the race, as the victory was
q popular one. Mr.. Hitchcock had expressed
some doubt in the paddock while the horses
were being sadded as to the outcome. because
OF the sloppy condition Of the track, and he was
highly elated over the victory. 1t was the third
time IN succession that his colors have been
carried TO the front in this rich and important
fixture Good and Plenty won in 1904. while
IIylas also accounted for the race last year. In
winning yesterday he we'll earned the title of the
champion country horse Of the year, al
though he was forced TO share the honors of the
race with Coligny.
Only three horses went 10 the post in the Bel
mont Park weight for age race at two miles and
a quarter, with Running Water prohbitive
iaVOrte at I 10 4 NeaiOn naQ some 1OllOWllS
at to 2, while the casual racegoers forced The
Cricket's price down with small wagers from
80 to 1 10 20 to l. What looked paper like a
practical walkover for Running Water resulted
IN of the most spectacular races Of the
meeting. The Cricket outrun from the
start, and at the end was beaten full furlong,
but Nealon gave Running Water the fight of her
life TO win. Shaw's handling Of Nealon was as
brilliant a piece of riding as has been seen in
many day. and was deserving of success. He
cleveTly rated his mount in front for two miles
and saved enough to finish with to make il pos
sible for Nealon 10 fight out every inch of the
last quarter after Running Water had chal-
lenged at the head of the stretch The two
horses came down through the last furlong
stride for stride and it was not until the Judges
had been passed that those who had accepted
the short price against Running Water could
breathe sigh of relief while applauding the
hard fought finish.
The Champion Steeplechase, over the stiff
course or about three miles and a half was run
as the second race. Five horses went to the post
with Hylas favorite, at 4 to ,: Altar and Tobn
n p. equal second choices, at to .: Wool
gatherer. at to l, played down from IL TO
ana Coligny, at S TO l. John NJ. P. was the pace
maker in the early part but refused at the fifth
jump and the field raced by him before Stone
could get him going again. The English chaser
went right TO the front again. however and