New-York tribune., 1908-04-05
HAWKWING A SURPRISE
WINS DINNER STAKES.
SPENCER Wells Beaten IN Feature
Race at Benning Track.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Washington, April 4.-Samuel Ross who has done
much for racing in Washington. sprung sur
prise the Dinner Stakes for t1o-year-olds at the
Benning racetrack to-day His bay geldins
Hawkwing. a of Hawkswick-Daisy W. start
ing for the first time driving by length at
the lucrative price of 10 while back in the ruck
was Captain Cleland Dayis's Spencer Wells. the
odds-on favoFite- @----e-
Under the conditions of the race Mr.. Ross Is host
tonight at big dinner at the Shoreham. in winch
ne is entertaining the losers and their friends and
incidentally accepting their congratulations for
victory which almost unexpected to MI
Ross TO the crowd which gathered to see the
decided
Nine two-year-oIds TO the post. and as said
before Spencer Wells hot favorite. closing at
10 s. His form was established and he had per
formed well that those who were disposed 10
wager considered him the "One best bet Of the
day. Mccarthy had the mount, which Increased
the confidence OF the bettors, as the boy has at
tlacted a big following. Unfortunately for those
who accepted the short price. the luck Of racing
was against the favorite-- The colt got caught in
a Jam rounding the TAR turn and was almost
knocked 10 his knees. losing so much ground that
any chance he had was hopelessly ruined
CAPTAIN Davis who had leased the colt for this
particular race was keenly disappointed He had
come to the track with party of friends, includ-
ing Mrs Nicholas Longworth and General Nelson
A. Miles prepared to celebrate victory, but the
fates were against him.
Al Busch jumped of in the lead at the start and
opened up a gap Of two or three lengths rounding
the far turn with the others more or less strung
out He held the way until Strengthened OUT for
home but could withstand Hawkwinss de-
terrnined challenge, and the latter. with g Brady
up came away in the last sixteenth 10 win driving
by a length. Al Busch easy second, while
Red Doe which well up all the way, finished
third, Eve lengths before the favorte-
One Of the biggest crowds that has ever attended
the races Benning went OIL TO the track and en-
ioyed a good days sport The weather was al
most too cool for comfort, but the shone bright
and the track in good condition
Mccarthy disappointed his many followers by
falling to ride d single winner. while favorites
Jared too well, as Lauy. in the closing race,
was the only pronounced choice TO win The win
ners in addition TO Hawkwing. were Right and
True. Call Boy, Touchwood, Taboo and LaIly-
Touchwood the steeplechase in a mild drive
with Essex David Dunlop and his friends backed
the horse with some confidence al TO I, and the
outcome looked reasonably sure from the start.
TouchwOod opened up gap Of eight ten
lengths and led by safe margin all the way Per
centage. the favoriJe, his nearest attendant
for mile and half. but ne tired trying
the winner down, that Essex. with his young
owner. Dion Kerr, UP, came along and earned the
place. Bernhardt, who had the Cola
Garrnin, Cropper usual. while Aiken
the heavily played second choice. lost his rider
early in the race.
Personal. the even money favorite in the fifth
nent- She was well up al the turn for home, but