New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-07
FRANK GILL DEFEATED.
BEATEN Il SHORT HEAD.
Montgomery Wins Rich Common
sceaLth Handicap in Stirring DriUe.

fceatth Handicap in Stirring DriUe.
In a stirring and spectacular finish Montgomery
beat Frank Gil a short head in the fourth run
ming Of the Commonwealth Handicap at Sleeps
head Bay yesterday Some three lengths back
Dandelion led the rest OF the good field home
montgomery went to the post 10 Gar
ner had the mount, instead Il Sandy and under
stronger handling the colt showed decided improve
ment over his last race. and. closing with that
determination and courage for which he is famous
won the rich prize, which had a net value Of Sl3-
30 He ran the mile and quarter in 2:56 3-5. a
particularly good performance. all things consd-
cred
big half-hoday crowd numbering close to
tnlrtY thousand persons, went down to the track
- SCI away from the heat in the CITY, and to see
the GOOD programme Of seven races decided. They
we're Wen repaid for the journey. as a cool breeze
Oh ti-e ocean made the conditions almost ideal
for an afternoon in the open air. The racing too
was interesting from end end. although only one
zone faNorlte was true 10 the trust reposed in him
August Belmont. who set in from Europe in the
morning. was among those seen in the clubhouse.
The Commonwealth Handicap. which was placed
on the programme four years ago as a renewal Of
the Suburban, was the fourth race. Frank
Gill which scored a runaway 1c-cr,- in tho Come,
Island Jockey Club Stakes a week ago over a
greasy track. beating Montgomery. Salvidere and
Peter Pan among others ,-as tho fe,orj+a a. 1S
70 g. but the weights had been so carefully ad-
9usted by The Official hsndicapper that eight OF the
twelve starters attracted less support
Gardiner we're all played around and to : while
Montgomery backed down from i 10 to
70 70 / although this due largely a fair
sized commission from Emil Herr, his owner, as
the rank aSl file Of handicappers could not figure
him 70 beat Frank GIL. which the line par
ticularly fresh.
The start was fair for all but Nonsides and Flip
FLAP which were slow "a settle IN their stride
Or Gardiner jumped off in the lead and showed
the way around the turn and up the backstretch,
with Coy Maid in close attendance. First Premium
was third. while Frank GIL. which Knapp had
IN - ms 1a-F T1,a-c
order was maintained around the far turn. when
Knapp suddenly sent Frank Gill up the pace
makers and turning for home, opened up gap
OF three lengths. Somebody shouted Frank
Gill walks homer and the crowd took up the CRY.
as to all appearances the race was over except the
shouting.
The majority Of those present cid not count on
the stout hearted Montgomery, but a cry OF dis
may up from the many followers of Frank
Gill when the Passara colt, which had gradually
Improved his position rounding the far turn. quick
L. disposed Of the fast firing DR. Gardiner and Gov
Maid and gave determined challenge 20 Frank Gill
n the last sixteenth pole He raced up and headed
Frank Gill SO quickly that the crowd was taken
aback. but he did not come away IA win ne
pleased, Frank GIL fought on in resolute fashion
under Knapp's belated but vigorous finish. and
was slowly but surely wearing him down again.
when the allimPortant finish line was passed, with
the width Of hand separating the two good three
year-olds. Dandeon finished a respectable third
after racing 70 his best form while the others
care strag gling in. with DR. Gardiner. which had
forced the early pace absolutely last
Frank Gill lost nothing in defeat. and would
probably have if Knapp had been pa
tient and delayed his until Strengthened
fer home. The boy rode such a good race. on the
whole. however. that il seems hardly fair hold
him responsible for the defeat Many have
been ny the jockey stealing away suddenly
rounding The turn and so catching his opponents
OF their guard. and # Frank Gill had yesteV-
day fl would have been said that Knapp had won
tie race al the very point at which the critics con-
de,nned him.
Montgomery ran to his best form. and deserved
more consideration than he got the hands of
the form players. He won the Broadway Stakes
Ct CIravesend. second in the Suburban and
second also in the Coney Island Jockey Club Stakes.
and, with the exception Of his last race. when
Sandy could not seem TO get him striding IN the
early part. he has been Of the best and most
consistent performers of the season Emil IJerz
who bought him during the Belmont Park meeting
for $1,000 never lost confidence in him. and prohted
we! by his victory yesterday. The good colt has
now won himself out twice over
Another stake was added 10 the credit Of James
r. keene when his Ben Brush FLY Meggs Hill
won the fourteenth running Of the Nernal, for two
year-old Niles, az five furlongs. She and August
Belmont's Half Sovereign had the between
them all the way, while Fancy beat WOODLAND
short head for third money Lady Winnifred. the
favorte kept bearing the outside all through the
race and lost so much ground that her chances
utterly ruined. Ella O'Neili badly cut
down during the race. and may not be able TO face
the starter again for time.
Roseben was q strong favorite at odds-on 70 win
the opening handicap at six furlongs. He could
never get away from Dreamer, however and gave
Il up at the last furlong pole, go that the Ham
burg geding came on TO win easily by three
lengths.
Only four horses went 20 the post IN the steeple-
cEeees Win Garrett an oooe-on IaVor1te. he Ieu
at the second Jump from home however. when his
chances locked reasonably bright. Ray got bad
looking fall. but escaped uninJured. Essex was
good lengths IN front OF Palm rounding the last
turn, and the latter'e chances did not appear TO
be worth the proverbal two cents. Essex was
tired however after clearing the last jump that
he tried 20 out. and Palm, fighting on got up
IN time 70 win by two or three lengths
The other winners were Royal Ben, Joe Neaion
and Magazine. Joe Neslon was the only winning
fevorfte. He came from far back in the sixth
race. and got up in time 70 win by head The
Judge delayed placing the horses for full min
ute which led the majority Of those present 10
think dead heat would be the decision Little
Callahan could not DO Black Mary full justice IN
the final drive. she would have won. There was
2 long delay the post IN this race, Thurberts
saddle girth broke the way 70 the post and
new one had 20 be secured.