The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-29
GOSSIP or The RACETRACK.
DAVE JOHNSON SAID TO HAVE
LOST S25,O 900 on ROSEBEN.
yarlour Opinions as TO Big Horses Defeat
Halifax Examined for DOpe-Ram's
Horn and Delhi Siek-NarrOw Escape
for Jockey 6eweli-2lB Books Operate

Halifax for DOpe-Ram'B
Horn and Delhi S~iek-NarrOw Escape
for Jockey seweii-2lB Books Operate
Roseben's defeat In the Excelsior Handi-
ran Yesterday was in line with the prediction
made by John A. Drake In TIL Sun the other
dav that the big horse was a world beater
nj srrinting, but that at distances at q mile
or more when meeting horses OF class he
could not succeed. Mr.. Drake held to this
opinion before the race yesterday, and after
Roseben trailed home In the dust the Chicago
borseman said Il told you sol" Perhaps
the most disappointed nah at the track was
pave Johnson. When Roseben won the
sterling Stakes at Aqueduct from RAMS
Horn last Wednesday johnson said that the
Excelsior would be a gallop for him. Trainer
Weir also believed that Roseben would 60
the route az easily as he did the mile in the
sterling, and when Roseben went to the post
Johnson had wagered nearly a25 900 on the
son Of Ben Strome. 1t is said. No favorite
in a big race ever received such public sup
mort before. The plungers plastered the
hooks with all sorts Of wagers running up
INTO the thousands, while the layers took
countless bets OF 500 or more from persons
who we're in search Of sure money. When
Roseben reached the middle of the back
stretch johnson, who was watching his per-
Torrance from a private box, exclaimed:
He cannot winl He has no foot and cant
get away from Merry Lark and Ormonde's
Right
Johnson called the turn then and there
and did not hope for victory after that period
Of the race. Yet the noted plunger did not
rurn n hair when his horse came home in
disgrace. He took the setback philosophi-
caIly as usual and had no kick to make that
any one could hear. To THE Sun man he
said
That is horse racing all over. If a horse
ran the same every time he started he would
he A sure thing. Roseben did not run his
race. that's all. He did not have the foot
ard the first half mile in 0.47 and a fraction
probably did him up. Weir let him breeze
this morning and he seemed so fit that II
looked like finding money TO bet on him, 1t
seemed to me only a question of putting 1t
down TO pick ii up again and l lost a big
wager as the result OF my confidence. l
thought he would canter home and his de-
feat vas a big surprise to me. But it's all in
the game. and You must remember that there
sre other races to come In which Roseben
may be able TO redeem himself. ! still be-
lieye that he can win one OF the big handi-
caps
Another excuse was offered by a well known
horseman with the statement that Roseben
did not like the track. The turns are sharp
aud a big strider like the son OF Ben Strome
is supposed 10 be at a disadvantage But
whether this was one OF the causes OF his
defeat or not. a majority OF turfmen were
convinced that Roseben was beaten because
he could not go the distance. He was in front
for seven furlongs and then chucked II up.
He cooled ont nicely after the race and will
row get a special preparation for the Metro
poiltan Handicap at Belmont Park,
Merry Lark's victory came in the nature OF
a Welcome surprise TO his owners. Andrew
Miller and Blair Painter. who saw him run.
liza uraa cant ~ the nnEt hN Tom Walsh Whn
Won the Paumonok Handicap with lnauisitor
q Friday, and Welsh was warmly congratu-
la;ed all around. The stable connections
backed the Jim Gore coli. too, for a good bet.
which made the victory ALL the more enjoy
shle. Mrs. l.. Curtis. who has never lost
faith in her mare. Eugenia Burch. is said to
have had a bet on the daughter Of Ben Strome
10 show at odds OF II to /. Eugenia's share
Of the stake was 81 900.
W, S. Williams was compelled to scratch
both RAMS Horn and Phil Finch bee auss
both horses are suffering from a high fever.
Delhi was also said to be coughing. which
made it impossible for him to go TO the post.
The Excelsior was first run in 1908, the winners
being the late w. c. Whitney's Blackstock.
+. R. Doctors Rostand and the Abemarle
Stables Santa Catalina, Rostand holds the
record for the race, l:+5 3-5.
40 sooner had Shields's colt, Halifax, who
IL a full brother to HandZarra, taken the meas
IRE OF Lady Amelia than the stewards or
dered the veterinary in charge at the track
10 examine the colt. Tn stewards were
under the impression that stimulants had
been used. but at last accounts the vet had
been unable TO discover any traces OF drugs.
halifax proved a real good thing for the
Shields family and the Canadians. who backed
him to a man. Some of the Canadian militia
men now visiting this city were at the track
aud played Halifax purely out OF sentiment.
What might have been a fatal accident
occurred during the running OF the second
race. When the horses had reached the
middle of the turn Gulliver. with Sewall up,
suddenly crossed his legs and stumbled.
Sewall flew out of the saddle. turned a somer-
sault in the air like a circus acrobat aud landed
on the track directly in front OF several horses.
who did not touch him at all. Sewall jumped
10 his feet quickly unhurt, but CULVER. who
landed Oh his back, rolled over and lay mo-
tIonless as il his neck had been broken. The
colt did not move for several minutes and
the crowd thought that he was dead. But
liz was only knocked out and later on he was
led lmping to his stall. Sewall, by the way.
covered himself with glory when he rode
b colt named for him to victory in the last
lace. The colt had worked five f~urlongs
n 100 fat and everybody who was at all
wise had the tip Some OF the books in the
field put up 10 TO / against him before the
prices arrived from the big ring and were
hard hit. Opening at even money Sewali
went back 10 0 to ) because of the play on
l.idor Hirsch. Hundreds were under the
impression that Radtke had the mount on
The latter and bet on him for that reason
only to find that Willie Knapp had the leg up
instead.
Radtke. who was suspended by Starter
Cassidy at Aqueduct for three days. again in
CURED the displeasure OF that official for dls-
obedience at the post and was notified that
he would have to stay on the ground for the
next two days. Little Garner, the Brooklyn
boy. who is in the employ Of the Drake
stable, carried of the riding honors OF the
day with three winners-Blae Dale, Halifax
and May Morris. Willie Shaw. who rides for
Shi, Ids, was confined to his home with sudden
illness.
There was as much business in the betting
rings as on a Broolyn Handicap day In the
big enclosure there were hfty-fve Nets and
thirty n~on-members in the front line, with nifty
back liners. In the field, which was jammed
to the OVERLOOKING point, there were eighty
books. or a total Of 2i5 layers in all to handle
the crowds wagers. The layers won q fortune
on Roseben, every book being chock full OF
bets o. this favorite. Charley HenshAll was
among those who cashed a good bet on Merry
Lark.
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