New-York tribune., 1907-04-20
SOME WINTER RACING
OKENTTE WINS 4 STAKE.
DR.. Gardner Races to Impre$SfUe
Victorg an the Handicap.

Winter racing IS not conducive 10 keen en-
5oyment, but neither snow nor biting wind coud
keep the faithful away from the Aqueduct race
track yesterday. AS a striking illustration OF
the popularity OF the sport some four thousand
persons were IN attendance, and so far rs coula
be Judged they enjoyed themselves quite as
much as could be expected under the conullohs-
The track was dead and a little soft on top. but
the going was not heavy as was plainly indicated
when Okenite won the Arverne Stakes at SIX
furlongs. in 1.14 If the return Of winter could
not dampen the ardor Of racegoers, there is no
reason 10 doubt that the season viii be the most
prosperous in the history Of the turf in this
country.
The victory Of August Belmonts Okenite con-
Armed the good impression he made when he
heat oxford at Benning. He did not defeat
a particularly strong field yesterday but his
trnanner Of winning was convincing, and ii
looks as n the chairman Of the Jockey
Club would not lack for a good representa-
tive IN more important stakes later on. It
seemed TO he well known ali sides that
iOkenite had worked well since coming from Ben
ming. and when the layers posted s to 3 they
izyere almost knocked off their stools. so eager
were the form players 10 bet on him. II did not
take long TO hammer the price down 10 TO 3.
and even lower in some places. as the field went
10 the post. Malacca, winner OF the First Ben
ming Spring Handicap. when Okenite finished
behind him. and Colonel Jack. winner Of the
Ascot Derby. We're IN some demand around ,
70 !. but the Others We're mora or less neg
lected.
George s. Davis. which had TO be led TO the
post as usual rushed TO the front when the
start came and opened up a gap Of two or three
lengths IN the first quarter. He showed the way
around the turn and into the stretch. with OXEN
,g,,
who rode the Belmont colt showed good 1udg-
ment by waiting patiently behind the pace. so
that when he shook Okenite up AT the last fur
long pole the son of Hastings came away, to win
galloping by four or five lengths George s.
Davis hung IN the last sixteenth, so that Dan
Buhre and Colonel Jack fought it ont for the
place, the former getting the decision by a head
Colonel Jack ran an impressive race. He broke
In front but was crowded against the rail and
almost knocked 10 his knees losing six or eight
lengths. He ran up strong when settled in his
stride and fought out the finish with Dan Buhre
in gamest fashion. With clear sailing he would
probably have forced Olenite out.
DR.. Gardner for hch Big Tim Sullivan and
FRANK FaIreH pald Si9.ooo last faI, made ais
nrst appearance or The year IN the handicap,
second on the card. The sullivan clan bet on
him with confidence and he went TO the post a
hot faVOrite Al odds-on. He more than justified
the heavy play at the short price, and quail
ned for the Excelsior Handicap for which he
j IS being pointed. by going 10 the front when he
pleased and Y ming easily. Avaunteer tried 10
run him down ar the head Of the stretch. but II
proved his o1Vn cnG0ng, and he finished a Door
last Heaslip canned the place. due largely TO
the fact that Marster was badly shut off on the
lar turn
Preston the Jockey who made such a good
impression I'm California where he was looked on
as the chief rival Of Miller rode his first win
ner ia The East on Ed Ban. IN the first race and
followed this up By bringing AI6Ieser home in
front in the NTH race. The critics had nor been
attracted 10 him up 10 yesterday, but he showed
a skin in winning with Ed Ban that marked the
good Jockey. He rode particularly strong fin
fish.
wild ard hysterical shout was heard here
2nd there IN the stand when Fresh. a good look
ing Previous cOlt, won the third race IT the hI-
crative price Of 60 10 ]. His success was a
shock however, 70 those who had back Youth
ful down from 20 70 I TO 10 >, as the good
thing" was only beaten a short head in a hard
drive. Fresh was quoted ar 100 TO in some
books. and number Of 81 and SO waPers We're
placed ar that price. His stable did not think
particularly well of him, however, and q rare
chance was missed for a substantial Killing"
DaVy johnson did not bet on Joaquin in the
FIRST race, but number OF good sized commits