New-York tribune., 1906-04-29
TURF IDOL SHATTERED
ROSEBEN MEETS DEFEAT.
Mery Lark Wins ErceLsior HGndi-
can Before Monster CrOscd.

can i1ETOTI Va OftStff tFONlNs
Another turf idol was shattered at the ia
naaica rscetrack yesterday. Roseben, ID. c.
Johnson's great weight-carrying sprinter, was
soundly and decisivey beaten in the fourth re-
neval Of the Excelsior Handicap No reason
able excuses could be made for the big horse,
which. after his victories in the Carter Handicap
and Sterling Stakes Aqueduct. had been
placed on such a high pedestal by the average
racegoer lie simply could not go the distance
under pressure, and. when most was required
ana the strife grew hottest gave up the battle
His warmest admirers. including his owner. had
nothing a. say beyond the fact that he did not
run his IaCe that il was the turns which
counted against the big horse. Be that as II
may. ne was beaten and those who accepted
the short price which offered in the ring
looked in dumb dismay. ana almost forgot to
cheer the winner in accustomed fashion
Merry Lark running in the name and colors
OF the Newcastle Stable, won rather cleverly
from ormonde's Right and Eugenia Burch. II
was Merry Lark's first appearance OF the season,
and with only l0e pounds up and trained 10 the
hour by Tom Welsh he followed the pace close
" under MHler's clover handling. and came
away in the stretch TO a we'll earned and decis-
i've il not popular victory.
A monster crowd went down TO see the race
decided. looking forward to another meeting be-
tween Roseben and RAMS Horn. and TO get out
IN the open air under conditions that were we'll
nigh perfect. The clubhouse was crowded. the
erandstand and lawn were comfortably filed
and the field looked as IL it would not hold
hundred persons more The attendance was es-
timated al $1,000 persons and it looked even
bigger.
GORGEOUS DAY FOR AN OUTING.
The day was like one OF June's best with none
of the characteristics OF erratic April The sun
Ehone clear and bright from a cloudless sky and
was almost too generous with its heat for this
season Of the year. cool. invigorating breeze
off Jamaica Bay tempered the rays Of the sun,
however, and made the flags hap rnerriIy along
the ridgepole of the big stand. The Metropolitan
Jockey Club under these suspicious conditions,
entertained the biggest crowd in fits history. II
was wise move 10 advance the big handicap
one Day. as Il made il possible for many TO see
the race who otherwise would have had 10 be
oontent with reading about it. The race was
well worth seeing, even though the great Rose
ben was defeated.
The Excelsior Handicap. with the value Of
$4,000 Was at one mile and a sixteenth. and
was run as the fourth race. Ten horses went to
The post as James r. Keene's Delhi Captain
Wlnaillss RAMS Horn and Phil Finch and +.
s, ?. Randolph's Red knight and Master of
craft We're scratched The withdrawal of Delhi
ana Rams Horn robbed the Of much in
terest Rams Horn was suffering with what
appears 90 be an attack Of catarrhal fever, while
Delhi was also said 10 be siling.
ROSEBEN A HOT FAVORITE.
With Rams Horn out Roseben was played al
most 10 the exclusion Of every other horse in the
rare. He was heavily backed from 7 to 10 to
10 :, and thousands Of dollars were wagered
on his chances. Ormonde's Right at s to l. was
The second choice while Merry Lark and Race
King had following at 10 20 ! each. The start
was right III front of the stand, and was a good
one. The lightly weighted Hermitage and
Roseben, the top weight, rushed right TO the
front and, opening up gap OF three or four
lengths on the field raced head and head around
lho paddock turn and up the baCkStretch. Miller
got Merry Lark off in a good position. and, plac-
Ing him ia third place. headed the others which
were strung out behind.
Rounding the far turn. Roseben. which had
succeeded IN racing Hermitage into submission,
drew away and led his field by two lengths with
Lyme crouched up on his neck. He was appar-
entity running well within himself, and the cry
went up, 'ROSeben Will eallOp home" Put The
hardest part OF the struggle was TO come
Merry Lark had moved into second place and
was right at the heels of the flying leader while
ormonde's Right and Colonial Girl were both
within striking distance. As they turned for
home Miller called on Merry Lark and in
dozen strides he was racing head and head with
Roseben, TO the CONSERVATION Of those who had
pinned their faith on the big sprinter
WHERE MERRY LARK TOOK ISSUE.
Then the real battle began and Roseben fall
tered. Lyme SAT down and tried his best to
make the Ben Strome gelding respond TO one