The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-11

With his stake-race heart beating a
thunderous tattoo against his selling-plate
ribs, Grapple, a bay son OF Woolthorpe
won the Metropolitan handicap at Bel
mont park yesterday and saved from
eternal disgrace, probably, the fatrest and
most pretentlous racing establishment
that exists today In any part of the world.
Behind him came what, barring a few. are
supposed TO be the best horses in training
in America.
Entered less than a week ago in an
overnight selling race to be knocked
down for 1900 TO any one with a halter
and quart OF oats, II was this little
chap that made 30. 900 spectators yell until
they were black in the face. Astride his
back was a 90 pound atom named Garner.
so hunched up that his knees seemed IN
danger OF dislocating his Jaw, but the
commonplace horse and his Insignificant
pilot proved TO be the piece dc resistance
OF hash-house bill OF fare.
But Grapple and Garner, working to-
gether head and hand heart and heel.
electrified the holiday crowd by as gallant
n dash as ever fashionable thoroughbred
and fashionable Jockey put up. Last year
Sysonby the king OF thoroughbreds. and
Race King. a lowly platter, ran a mem
orable dead heat that thrilled the watch
Ing thousands. but yesterday Grapple. the
1900 platter. thrilled three times as many
thousands. because all around him. press
Ing his heaving sweating tanks, were
three or four horses upon the victory of
any one OF which thousands had wagered
thousands. Grapple never faltered. He
dethroned king in the mighty Roseben,
the money favorite OF the race, but he
enthroned himself in the hearts of loyal
followers
Cassidy's quick eye caught the "a horses
as nearly In line as Il was likely IL would
ever be. snf with roar that could be
heard almost across the neld TO the
srandstand. he shouted Come on" and
up went the barrier. For just one second
the bunch OF horses expanded. closed and
expanded like a monster concertina- II
seemed that breath and life must be
crushed out OF some OF those in the centre
OF tho mass. All was tumble and confu-
slon Tor second and then the $1,000
oreathless spectators could clearly see in
the glowing sunlight tho gold sash and
cap or Lyme, who rode the favorite Rose
ben.
Before the half-mile pole was reached
there were not more than six horses that
looked 10 have a chance TO finish any
where In the money. Accountant with
the tasmonaole young Radtke aboard
was out OF It; Colonial Girl, the mare
that once beat the great Hermis was
IN tho rear: Mr.. Whitneys Pegasus: Stall
wart, the once great horse OF E r.
Thomas; Goldsmith, Bats ard Ormonde .
fusht were hopeless foundsring. strug-
Cling rear guard.
Every eye was now fixed on a half
dozen racing at lightning speed around
the great, broad turn. The mighty Rose
ben, with rush OF speed that was fairly
eaSzlins and that threatened 10 stand an
| the horses on their heads, had torn him
/ self clear OF tho bunch, and as his no,e
| flashed past the half-mile post there wa q
| clear length or daylight between him
ana his next nearest competitor, How the
crowd did shrek. There comes RosebAn.
lie mas got them all beaten Nothing will
ever get near him now'-these were som a
OF the shrieks that rent the air. IJp in
the second tier OF the grand stand. a red
faced man with three women companion,
let out a roar that would, under any other
conditions have been deafening. but now
only one or thousand other discordant
shouts.
The great bay horse with hi, piant
frame apparently nattened 10 tho ground
was tearing along IN front HIS ansce do
vourins legs fairly eating up the ground
LYno- -MAh- -crouching- -doHn- Jar over hia
withers, apparently with q nrm restrain.
ing hold on the giant horse, which seemed
intents and purposes Roseben could STAY
where he was as long as he liked
There's gray CHEST sticking close
20 that Roeehcn horse" shouted one ran
from behind pair OF field glasses. and
Look az lsrafef shouted another and
was the ecstauc remark OF n third en-
thuSinst who almost upset n dozen people
in his attempt TO climb up the back OF
the man obstructing his view.
Then came an agonizing cry from thou
sands or threats. Nothing can quite de-