Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-27
Only One Favorite Finished in
Front at Benning.
ATTENDANCE WAS LARGE
Dolly Spanker Third in First Race and
Won in Last Event.
MILLER ON TWO WINNERS
Army and Navy Ready for Closing
Rattle-Cline Won in Billiard
Tourney-Base Ball Notes.

Battle-Cline Won In Billiard
Tourney-Base Ball Notes.
For a Monday the attendance at. Benning
yesterday was large District racegoers
recognize that only few more days remain
In which they can enjoy their favorite
sport, while as to the regulars" from
NE north only cyclone or blizzard
could keep them away. They are in most
cases weather proof and proof against any
upsets but a vanished bank roll.
For those who are following the favorite
Jockey the day was a good one. He had
four mounts. won twice and ran second
once. Players who back him in the most
practical manner (three ways. IL possible.
and double up each time to win the sum
fixed for each race would have earned
yesterday a reasonable days work.
Avaunteer. Miller's first mount. looked
to be "outclassed' by both Dolly Spanker
and Pretension. and with any other boy up
would have been at liberal odds. but Mil
ler's presence in the saddle earned the
horse heavy support. and the good race he
ran was sight to see. After Pretension
had set sizzling pace to the turn for
HOUlc DOln DOily OpdlihcI diiu
closed on him.
At the head of the stretch Miller made
mistake that cost him the race with
Avaunter. He started to come through on
the inside. which he could have done, and
then suddenly changed his course, taking
Avaunter to the outside of Pretension and
Spanker. This move cost him a length or
more. and as he only lost to Pretension by
a matter of inches in a drive wherein he
would have won in another jump. 1t was
hard luck.
Dolly Spanker after stumbling in the
stretch ran such a strong finish that Trainer
Tom Healey decided to start him again in
the last race of the day. Lord OF the
Vale was never a contender after the first
half mile run by Pretension On 4S 80 sec
onds The Belmont horse has evidently seen
his best days. and will be put up In Satur-
days sale at Benning.
Firebrand Keeps Warm.
The steeplechase furnished the usual num-
Der of spills. but when no harm comes to
the contestants lives or to quadrupeds the
spectators take these things as a matter Of
course. Even though. as in yesterdays
chase. the three favorites each came to
grief early in-the struggle. Gallagher's mis-
hap with the favorite. Garter Knot, was
perhaps the most unexpected contretemps
of the series. But some of those who looked
the mare over before the race did not
think she would go the course.
After the favorites were out of it Valley
Forge. Captain Hayes and Caloorahatchie
ran like a donkey team most of the way.
the three always being close together until
they struck the fiat for the straight run
home. Here Captain Hayes was cut off
or he would probably have won. AS it was
Caloorahatchie only beat him half length
in a drive.
Firebrand certainly takes to the deceptive
going at Benning better than any horse
here. Cp north he could not stay out six
furlongs In good company. Here he handles
weight and goes on. Yesterday Cressna
was heavily played to beat Firebrand. while
Col. Neville's speedy gelding Melbourne
also received strong support. AS none of
the others were seriously considered long
odds were laid that none of them would fin
ish In the money
After Progressing had shown Firebrand
the way down the batch stretch and We'll
bourne had received some humping on his
way through the bunch, the race simmered
down to Firebrand and Melbourne at the
vorite. was Wondering" evidently not at
home In the going
From the head OF the stretch home We'll
bourne closed upon Firebrand gradually and
forced Miller to a drive to win by half q
length. Had the race been a bit further
Melbourne would probably have won. All
Of which intensiles Miller's good work to
win on what was probably the second best
horse as the race was run. for Firebrand
had clear sailing. while Melbourne had not.
SVoIIoIOW.
Jockey Notter carried on the two-year-
old race with a long shot. Berkeley, who
was backed down considerably before post
time Other supposed good things were
Work and Play. Soprano. wigginbotham.
Speed Queen and Daisy Frost Miller's
mount. Van Loan, was also backed at q
long price.
Starter Cassidy's handling of the big field
was noteworthy and he got the twenty
youngsters away like a cavalry squadron.
After Regal Lad. Dankali and Soprano had
hattered their hackers by showing the way
round the home turn. Dankan was lost In
the shuttle as Van Loan and Berkeley
Joined the leaders.
The drive home, however. showed Berke-
ley to be much the best, as all Notter had
to do was to sit still and win. For the
place the tussle was a hard one and Regal
Lad, Soprano and Work and Play landing
so close together at the finish that only the
official placing could decide. The best race
Of any outside of the WINNER was that of
Work and Play. who ran a wonderful race
from last position. With a faster break he
would have given the winner strong argu-
ment.
In the fifth race each was heavily played
save one l. J. Hayman looked to be In
a soft spot, and enough money was placed
on him to have started country bank
New York and Belle Strome were the ones
best supported of the others. each Of whom,
however. had many hackers. except In the
case OF Toscan.
So much Jostling and fooling took place
in the race that many people expected to
see official action taken. To begin with the
favorite. Hayman. was so badly cut OF at
the half that he nearly fell, killing his
chances Then Belle Strohme, at the turn
either ran out or her boy held her out car
rying Scarfen and New York nearly to the
outside fence. leaving them lengths to make
up.
Dolly Spanker a Heat Horse.
Then Master johnson. leaving New York
and Scarfell in a tangie. Strengthened Belle
Strome away for home. and came along
like a streak. stalling or New York in the
race up the home stretch. The latter's
Jockey promptly mounted the stewards
stand, claiming foul, but the claim WAS
given scanty consideration.
From the character of Dolly Spanker's
performances this year few would credit
him with being heat horse: and vet
that IL Just what he showed himself to be
by his repeating qualities yesterday Race
goers were as partial to heat races in the
old days as to long distance contests But
the former class of races are nowadays
conspicuous by their absence.
Besides the heavy play on Dolly Spanker
to repeat. Agile. Watergrass and the two
Ill