New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-26
MALACCA BY A HEAD.
WINS BENNING HANDICAP.
BIG CroScd Welcomes Opening Of
Eastern Racing Season.
rBy Teleeraph 90 The Tr.snne.l

washington. March 25.-Nalacca, three
Vear-old colt by Observation-Disclosures Tree, prac-
ideally neglected a. 20 TO /, won the First Ben
ming Spring Handicap at the Benning race
track to-day in a stirring head and head fin
fsh with Grazallo. the favOrite, and Slickaway.
The three horses finished heads aaprt and little
J. Johnson had the satisfaction of beating Mill
Ter and Radtke two Of the brightest stars in
the Jockey armament Malacca was cleverly
rated and ran nice. even race. After laying
OF the pace IN the early part he closed strong
and hung on gamely in the final drive. Grail
aIIo was also well handled. but probably needed
the race. and he appeared TO hang in the last
few strides. Slickaway was slow TO settle in
his stride. and was far back rounding the turn.
He closed with rush in the stretch, and would
have won IN a few more strides.
The Benning Handicap was the feature of
the opening day of the spring meeting OF the
Washington Jockey Club at Benning. 1t was
the first day also of the Eastern racing season
under the control Of the Jockey Club, and some
eight thousand persons turned out TO welcome
the thoroughbreds. It was the biggest and most
enthusiastic crowd which has ever visited the
track on opening day here. The weather
was bright and clear, and the conditions except
for biting wind. could hardly have been inn
proved The track was dry and fairly fast for
Benning.
The conflicting rumors Of the morning con-
corning the hostile attitude of the authorities
toward betting were more or less alarming. but
those who wanted to make a wager did not
lack for the opportunity. Nearly all the promi-
nent layers from New York, a hundred strong.
were on hand, and they wandered about the
lawns with their clerks, accepting such business
as came their way. The conditions were the
same as last fall, as the test case regarding
the use Of stools in the ring is stin unsettled
The prices were displayed on programmes, and
the bets were recorded in a notebook Race
goeTs 81 Washington got used to the system at
the fan meeting, and there was no confusion
or disorder to-day.
The crowd was made IN largely, oP 1ocsr an
tnuslasts, but New York, Philadelphia and Bal
tIIhoIe were well represented. The New Workers
OF good sport.
The First Benning Spring Handicap was run
as the fourth race. The distance was six fur
longs, and thirteen horses went 10 the post
Graziallo' with Miller up. a pronounced ia
yorlte, backed from . TO TO s to D. August
Belmont's Okenite was second choice AZ : 70
while Revenue, Rose Of Dawn and Arinlo we're
each backed down from 10 10 ! 10 5 to l. Slick
away was also IN some demand, The play being
10 10 to J.
The start was poor. Rose of Dawn and Arimo
were practically left al the post while four or
I'VE Others, including Slickaway. were off so
9adIy that their chances looked hopeless. Gold
SITTER was quick his feet and took COM
mand, with Okenite, GraziaIlo and Tickle in
close attendance This order was maintained
up the baekstretch and around the turn but
coming into the stretch Okenite raced up 10
Cold SITTER and, making him sop. opened up A
gap OF a length and half Just when il looked
however as II he would and vii tFa
pace began 10 tell, and when Malacca and
GraZiallo challenged the Belmont colt canitl,-
lated. Inside the last sixteenth pole Slckaway
doomed up prominently and quickly Joined Ma
lacca and Graziallo il a hard drive to the wire
FIRST one and then the other seemed Ia have a
p slight advantage, but johnson managed TO ger
Aalacca home a scant head in front while the
big crowd cheered ana shouted its appreciation
OF the spirited finish.
Marvellous" Miller began the season well T,,
winning the first two races with Anna Nay and
Bile Hibbes. Anna May was strong IA
gorlte, and won in q neck and neck finish with
Garth, the trainer, and Paul J. Raney me
owner, each received silver cup as a trophy
IoI winning the first race Of the season Billie
1lOpes won the Arlington purse, for twO-year-
olds Re IS a good looking brown eelding by
Fatherless-Aurine. Ben Cole, with Radtlle M
1orced him out The others were beaten of
-Aasa zlae, the faNOrite, met with interference
ana ran green. He can be counted on 10 show
Enforcement
J. ". Colt had a loye feast in the steepIechase
He started Dulcian and Pioneer and tbez- ra1
one. two. with Locked out third. eight or ten
lengths back. Bound Brook Judge white and
roots fell but the jockeys escaped with a shak-
ing up. Locked out was the one best bet Of the
Ialbras, and the tip was so general that pikers
ahG plansers alike rushed 10 bet on him HIS
price was forced down from 10 TO ! To : TO ,
enc many OF the players rubbed him off their
programmes entirely. The killing" did not
tnaierlalize. He well up TO the last iumD
pgl tired badly when most was required
ne oiAer winners were Lally, at TO l. and
heomoTe al - 10 l.
FIRST RACE-f-or ree-,e,r-,,as ans . -
~ ~, So il1ionss Columbia Course start good.
q fBylrar