New-York tribune., 1906-06-17
RACING A MUD STRIFE.
BELNERE WINS DERBY.
Water Pearl Takes Rich fremont
and Con Maid the Marlboro.

II was a thousand pIties that the weather all
but spoiled what would have been a good days
racing at Gravesend yesterday. The driving rain
converted the track into a sea Of mud and made
the conditions most discomforTing for the big
crowd IN the grandstand. The Brooklyn Jockey
Club had provided particularly good card. cnd
II seemed unfortunate that the sport should Ge-
veiop into mud strife. The card cut
10 pieces by scratches, however. might have
been expected. and Accountant, which was with
drawn from the Brooklyn Derby. was the only
horse that was really missed. The popularity of
racing with the casual visitor was strikingly il
fustrated as fully ten thousand persons made the
journey 70 the track II spite Of the storm.
Water Pearl took up 129 pounds and won the
rich fremont Stakes in a way TO leave no ques-
ton as 20 his being a great colt As a rule. the
get OF Watercress 90 not show to advantage in
the mud. but he splashed through the sloppy
going in the same commanding style in which
he has performed on q dry track Five horses
went to the post, with Water Pearl tlie odds-on
lavorIte al z TO 10. The big bettors seemed dis
posed 10 play around him. however. because Of
The condition OF the track. and both Saracinesca
and. Golf Ban were heavily backed 10 beat him.
while James r. Keenes Philander also had a
strong following. For a quarter Of mile Sar-
acinesca. Golf Ball and Water Pearl raced in
close order. when the last named drew away
stretch 70 win as he pleased by two lengths.
Golf Ban appeared 10 have Saracinesca beaten
Tor Ire place at the turn for home. but Miller
out-ode 6ereu. and Sarecinesca also seemed TO
outgazne the Plaudit colt IN the final drive TO
tie wire. PhHander was outrun all The way and
was soundly beaten after the first quarter of
nile
Tbs brooklyn Derby. at a mile and a half,
1-cved little more than good exercise gallop
gn- Befrnsre. Ee revelled In the mud and won
pulled % a walk By twenty lengths from The
quail while King Henry, the only other starter |
was a fuu sixteenth Of a mile back. Account |
ert fur winch James B. Brady paid some S4O,-
600 cn Thursday, scratched because Of the |
Condition OF he track while King Henry, a /
snAaden. was added. presumably 70 earn third |
money although he had a surprisingly strong |
fuIowing, and was backed from II 10 l TO |
6 % ]. with Accountant out. The Quail. which /
had second 90 Burgomaster IN the Belmont /
Stakes, was made an odds-on favorite. Bel !
mere was not neglected however, and was |
backed down from 70 70 10 g. His form
had been pretty well covered up since his easy /
victory IN the Buffalo Derby by starting him in /
sprint races. so that his following came largely
from those who were familiar with the stable |
secrets. The race was Joke far as any |
contest was concerned Belnere went 10 the |
and further away. O'Neu was easing him I'D |
al through the stretch while The Quail and /
King Henry were staggering along many lengths /
hack. The Quail did not seem to be able 10 |
extend himself in the going but even with that /
as an excuse, the race had somewhat ugly |
look
The Marlboro Handicap was the third fixture |
on the programme. Il was for mares three /
years cid and upward, at one mile and six /
1celrh Coy Maid, the extreme outsider in the |
betting, at 10 l, won. Tradition was the /
faVorite at 4 10 D. with Flip Flap a strong sec !
ond ch0iee At . 10 , Consistent was plunged !
on ~ from u TO l 70 10 ] and Tokalon the 4
WINNER ~ The Brooklyn Handicap was also /
PLAYED Gown a point from > 70 J. Ira dition 1
after opening al 10 2. drifted back 10 . 10 / 4
but just at Ile end She was heavily backed and /
closed ar Lo-5-s Consistent made The early run
nlnE. some TWO lengths in front, with Gov Maid I
ttuC Flip FLAP her closest attendants. Round I
ing the far turn Flip Flap moved up and !
qu1cl-F racing Consistent into submission took
command when Strengthened out for home and 4
appeared 10 have the race safely won. Knann !
biouen Coy Maid UP on The rail however and !
ne kingston mare closing with a rush caught 1
Flip Flap inside the last sixteenth mole and /
neai ler nome by half a length. Consistent /
TnlSfe1 third. eight lengths back while Tra5i- !
ton and Tokalon. both Of which had been ont /
run al the way, followed in. soundIv ana de- /
cisively beaten ~
The other winners were Fav Mandarin and |
H4i Carulhers- Fay won the first race by tba /
ec-o4i of NOD, after racing head and head with /
longs could either claim the advantage Of mora
Than Few inches. and il looked almost as -