New-York tribune., 1906-05-11
TURF FAME FOR GRAPPLE
WINS THE METROPOLITAN
Big Crosgd Sees Brilliant Race at
Belmont Park Track.

After Roseben had taken all the heart out Ot
Israfel and had himself given uD the STRIFE from
sheer bodily exhaustion. John A. brakes Crap
PIE came laundering along on the outside and
won the rich Metropolitan Handicap at Belmone
Park yesterday Some 10000 persons stood up
and cheeTed with the enthusiasm born Of the
moment and inspired BY the gallant victory Of
q good horse over a worthy field Not one per-
son in hundred. perhaps. had prOhted by the
victory, but few there were who were not VIII
ing. nay anxious. 70 hail the winner Of one Of
the classics OF the American turf
Grapple won claverly BY a length. while Dan
delion beat Oxford a head for the place after a
desperate drive all through the last furlOns.
ISRAELI was fourth and Roseben. the public ia
vorlte fifth. while the rest Of the big held came
struggling along stretched out a fun sixteenth
Of a mile. The race was a brilliant one and of
the kind 70 stir the blood and make the pulse
beat faster. From barrier rise to finish there
was no cessation OF that terrific pace which
tested the hearts OF the horses to the fullest.
The weaker ones faltered ard came trailing
home tired and distressed but there were thres.
at least. so stout OF heart and strong of limb
that they fought on to the bitter end. and msds
Of the finish stirring ending to a hard fought
and bitterly contested struggle.
Grapple took up los pounds and well handled
by Garner. followed the pace closely. and. IN
ishing strong won a well deserved victory IN
the fast time. considering the condition OF the
| track, OF 1888. To him went the glory Of WIN
ming and the rich prize OF $4,000 but the hon
ors of the race were shared by =. r Hitch
cocks DandelIOn and James AIcLaughIin's Ok
ford. DandeliOn ran a particularly good race
under rather trying conditions. He was shut or
on the stretch turn and. while he saved ground
on the rail in the final rush. in such closs
quarters that he could hardly do himself full
| fruitIess fight. It was he that gave hattla 20
Roseben when Strengthened out for home and
made the big son Of Ben Strome eapitulsts-
Even then he might have been second but for
the necessity Of HiIdehrand putting down his
whip at critical moment to keep him from
bearing in and fOulIng Dandelion-
RosEBEN BEATEN BUT NOT DIsGRACED.
ROseben. the favorite for the race. was beaten,
but not disgraced. He was thoroughly ne. had
the confidence Of his owner, trainer and a largs
majority Of these who went down 70 the track
got away well and was judiciousIy ridden. but
failed to stay the distance. He gave OF his hest
while he had II to give. but once more IL was
proved beyond any question that he Is a sprinter.
and that any distance over seven furlongs IN
good company is too far for him. Grappls has
never been considered a horse OF the top
class. although he has been clever and con-
sistent performer. He is a fOur-year-oId, hy
/ WOosthoTpe Embrace. He was trained to the
minute by Enoch Wishard. and perfectly han
died by little Garner
The crowd was not a record breaker, although
| fully twenty thousand persons were on hand
/ when the Metropolitan Handicap was decided
The big. cOmmodiOus grandstand was not even
comfortably filled. but the field and clubhouse
I Enclosures were crowded There were persons
there from every walk in life. from the men Of
oFFa
and business world. to the casual visitors who
love the horse and make an occasion Of this
kind holiday.
1t was a thousand pities that the weather was
so CapriciOus. as this unQuestionably deferred
many from going to the track In the early
hours Of the day it was more like clustering
March than mild hammered and gentle May
The air was Of the cold damp. chilling kind. the
clouds hung low and gray. and there was even
an occasional spatter Of rain. Those Who made
the journey TO the course. however, had cause to
congratulate themselves. as by the time the first
race was run the sun had burst through the
clouds and was shining with generous warmth.
It hid itself from time to time throughout the
afternoon, but all things considered the condl-
ftons were more favorable for a days outing
than the early promise gave.
Nature was decked out in her spring Hnery
and the grass in the infeid and the trees and
hills beyond were green with the freshness of
spring. The big inelOsure built without care for
expense. was spick and span. and the whole
environment such as TO make the crowd feel
fully satisfied. The track was dry on top. al
though dead and slightly cuppy underneath. 1s
was in far better condition, however. than e was
reasonable to expect, and IN point OF fact made
no whit's difference IN the resuls Of any 0f the
races.
STIRRING SCENE AT THE FINISH
The scene az the finish Of the Metropolitan
Handicap was one that viii live long IA memory.
Out on the track were the struggling thorough
breds dghting desperately for the mastery with
Daring nostrils and swollen muscles and the
Jockeys using all the skill of their art and
working with painting breath and all their
young strength to aid their mounts to win the
coveted prize and to earn for themselves the
distinction which victory in a race OF this kind
means In the field. grandstand and clubhouse
enclosures was the bewildering and semi-hys-
terical crowd keyed up TO the highest pitch or
excitement by the battle going on before them
and showing in every move and expression its
full enjoyment.
The Metropolitan Handicap was run as the
third race. It was at one mile. for three-year-
Olds and upward. with $4,000 added. ana
twenty-five horses went to the post making the
biggest field which had ever striven for the
stake. OF the nineteen sent out overnight as
probable starters Battleaxe was the only one
to decline the ISSUE while four were added. in
eluding s. c. Hidreth's Guiding star. the three
year-old which won the Crescent City Derby al
New Orleans last winter; ]. w. Fullers Toka'Ui
and First Premium, and The Clown.
ROsEBEN THE PUBLIC FAvORITE.
Down in the crowded ring. where more than