New-York tribune., 1906-04-28
STAKE FOR INQUISIT0R
SOUTHERN CROSS BEATEN
Big Croscd Enjoys Opening Days
Snort at Jamaica.

The first day of the spring meeting Of the Met
ropolitan Jockey Club at Jamaica was an un-
qualified success and augured well for what can
be expected in the days 10 come. The racing was
Ipirited from beginning to end of the programme.
the weather was of kind which made it a
pleasure 10 be in the open air. and four strong
favoYites were true 10 the trust reposed in them
by the form players. Racing folk always well
come a change OF scene. and the big. roomy
stand at Jamaica doubly welcome after the
somewhat close quarters at Aqueduct The in
closure never looked more attractive. and from
the clubhouse TO the field nothing had been
spared 10 make for the comfort of the on
lockers
The track was fast. and it is laid out so
that the horses can be closely followed over
every step OF the journey, whether it be at 1--WE
furlongs or one mile or more. racegoers had fur
ther cause TO feel satisfied. The long straight
stretch at Aqueduct may insure truer run races.
but the rank and file much prefer the shorter
stretch at Jamaica. where more of a race can be
seen.
A big crowd was in neutrality-suspicious.
big for a Friday. II was conservatively est-
mated at from 5000 10 10000 persons, about
half OF whom were in the field, where the aonls-
sion is only 81 30. There good representa-
ZION in the clubhouse. and the big grandstand
was comfortably filed although there was
plenty OF elbow room for all
Inquisitor. at 10 i. the Paumonok Han
dicap at six furlongs which was the feature of
the card. I'm the colors OF Tom Wech. The race
was a good one and proved fair substitute for
the Excelsior Handicap. which heretofore has
been the attraction of the opening day. Nine
good sprinters went 10 the post. with Southern
Cross. which was beaten only head by Rose
ben in the Carter Handicap. a strong favorite
81 10 >. The others ranged in price from TO
on Diamond 10 80 10 ] Diamond Flush.
Diamond was on his bad behavior at the post
as usual. and delayed the start six eight
minutes. He dragged one of the assistant start
ers around the track during that time and
finally broke from behind his field when the
barrier was released. He rushed right 10 the
front. however. and raced head and head with
The lightly weighted Inquisitor every step OF the
journey First one and then the other would
show in front, but lnquisitor outgamed the
erratic son Of Diamond under Miller's strong
handling in the final drive and beat him neck.
Zeinap closed with a rush in the stretch. and
running the strongest Of the three at the
end, being beaten only a neck for the place by
Diamond
II was a rousing finish and the crowd cheered
uproariousy, even though Southern Cross, ON
which many had pinned their faith, was back
in the ruck There was some excuse for South
ern cross. as he had all the i'll luck of the race
He was shut off right after the start. and
in pocket I'm the up the backstretch. with
his head pulled sideways TO prevent cutting
down the horses In front OF him. Baird had TO
turning for home. but il was then too late TO
make UP the lost ground He was closing fast
but the stretch was all 100 short and he was
robbed OF a victory which might have been his
under less trying circumstances.
Frank Lord. just off the cars from Memphis,
the Elmhurst Stakes for two-Y Year-olds for
T ID. sullivan. He followed Bemay closely to
the head Of the stretch. and then drew ont and
won driving by length. Bemay had no trouble
in beating the others. although Athens would
have been closer up hut for being shut off
the turn. when Homer tried 10 come through
narrow opening the rail.
The other winners Toots Nook. Water
Dog Yorkshire Lad and Clare Russell. all of
which We're pronounced favorites. Clare Russell
SO much the best in the last that she
Won after running out on the turn and losing
five six lengths Radtl1e showed his skill
Jockey by taking her up and Strengthening her
out before she could go the outside fence.
James r. Keene's Economy was under the whip
most Of the way. hut saved ground the rail
turning into the stretch and, responding TO
every call finished good second. Toddes
after showing speed through the stretch, stopped
almost 10 a walk She appears TO be overrated