The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-14

when the DOOk1eS CIldlkoQ III
the betting There was immediately
such a rush TO get aboard that the
price lasted about as long as it takes
to tell about it, The bookies temper
lied with the talent by marking up 3-5
for moment only to rub to - and
finally to 2-5 when IL became apparent
that the public were really anxious TO
get down even at the constantly drop
ping quotations. The talent figured
that with Miller UP they were safe in
taking o6ds-on for their money, where
as had some other boy been up 1t is
pretty safe TO say that even money
would have looked stingy- Miller JUS
titled the confidence reposed in him
by riding the st. Carlo gelding TO per
lection and bringing him home with
two lengths to spare. although he had
to ride him out TO DO so
PUBLIC ONERLOOKs NEALoN
In the final race of the day the spec
tacle was presented of one of the best
horses in training on the American
turf going begging for backing al 40
in a field Of cheap selling platers, while
the public tumbled over itself to get
down on q horse that has run last in
all three Of his starts since the open
ing OF the Emeryville meeting.
Two factors figured in bringing about
this unique condition of affairs The
principal one was that NealOn, the So
600 Sain colt. who is regarded as the
most promising prospect for the four
vear-old division on the Eastern tracks
next summer. was looked upon with
suspicion by the betting public on ac-
count OF the Lotus fiasco of last week
Nealon is the property Of Boots Dur
nell and the public feared that there
might be a repetition Of the Lotus cpl
sode. especially in view Of the report
that Nealon had been given no hard
work since hts arrived from the East
Despite the eKoneratiOn Of Durnen
by the stewards Of the Jockey Club.
there is a lingering belief in the public
mind that Lotus was allowed TO go TO
the post in an unfit condition, and il
was feared that Nealon might not be
I'D 10 a race Jockey Wileys' part in
the LetUs incident was quite overlooked,
and the fact that Arthur Redfern, adj
mittedly one Of the most capable riders
who ever piloted a horse on the Ameri-
can turf was making his initial ap-
pearance Of the meeting as Nealon's
jockey, seemed TO make no difference.
DURNELL MAKES KILLING
The second factor in bringing about
the extraordinary spectacle was the
fact that Walter Miller had the mount
on Sir Russell. who was popularity sup
posed 10 be the contender in the race.
The public seemed TO become imbued
with the idea that AIillers horseman-
ship would make up for the deficiencies
of his mount in speed and stamina.
They were doomed. TO a disagreeable
awakening. for Sir Russell not only
failed TO win, but, despite Miller's ut
most endesvors. could not save the
place money for those who had taken
the precaution, as they supposed. of
protecting the wagers which they had
q horse straight All
OF which worked admirably for the ben
eft Of Durnell and those few intimates
whom he had let into the secret of his
intended coup with Nealon, for whom
he had selected a soft spot in order to
make the killing dOubly sure
The bookmakers naturally opened
Nealon at from 1-3 40 IS. AS nobody
seemed inclined to take him. the price
steadily receded, 1-2. 3-5, 1920, 40
and even as failed to attract public
support. When the latter odds had been
displayed for a moment or two Durnell
sent a big commission into the ring,
and down the odds cropped, until 1l-2O
was the best obtainable at post time.
WINS IN CANTER
The race was at seven furlongs, and
Sir Russell showed the way to the
stretch by sufferance. Redfern, who
had been given salvo of applause on
his way TO the post in recognition of
his return to the saddle after an alb
sence of months, sent Nealon to the
front turning into the stretch, and the
Ssin crack had only TO canter TO lead
his field to the wire by five lengths.
Redfern, il was noticed had his old
time seat. and the general opinion was
that he would have been right there
had there been any occasion for dis
play OF riding ability. Lloyd Foun-
tain had been lying behind Sir Rus
sell with Boloman, and breezfng over
the Roweu gelding in the stretch took
the place as easily as Nealon had won.
Pickaway, with Clark up, scored an
easy win in the FIRST at a mile, setting
his own pace and leading from wire to
wire. Monaco Maid came strong at
the end and beat Dorado. the favorite
a head for place Warte NIGHT was
prominent for a while. but faded away,
as the betting indicated he would.
Jockey Brown won easily enough
with Cloche dor in the second, also al
q mile. after Clandestine. whom the
public had insisted in playing into ia
voritism over the winner, had set the
pace into the stretch. Ciandestine beat
FL Chihuahua nearly a length for the
place.
KNAPP LANDS LONG SHOT
Knapp landed a long shot in the
fourth, when he breeZed home with
Mrs. Matthews at 10 to l. Peerless
Lass, insdequately handled by Appren-
tice Dugan, was probably best, and
finished fast-coming second after get
ting cut off on the back stretch. Miller
landed Pescadera third. The favorite
christmastide. ran another bad race.
Orchan was an odds-on favorite in
the fourth. at one and one-fourth miles
but Apprentice Davis was unable to
do the horse justice, as usual, and
was beaten a head by Dolinds, the
second choice, in the drive at the end
Inf1ammable was an easy third.
Alma Boy came from far back and
captured the place in the race won by
Lord Nelson, beating out Cock Sure
whom Knapp had in the heaviest going
on the rail.