New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-18
FAIR PLAY BEATEN
IN LAST RACE HERE
M4STER ROBERTS VIC
TORY 4 BIG SURPRISE.
Agent H1ins Cham piOn Steeplechdse
after Brilliant Race Through
the Field.

August Belmonts Fair Play. rated che OF the best
horses ever bred in this country, ran his last race
81 this country at Belmont Park yesterday ana was
beaten-beaten at even weights by Master Robert
10 which he gave twenty-four pounds and beatlng
only the Saturday before in the Municipal Handi-
cap II was Z stunning surprise, and emphasized
once more the uncertainty of racing and that cid
sewing about nothing being sure except DEAN anu
taxes. So far public form went, Fair ray
looked an absolutely sure winner. but colt which
he has beaten several times this year IT much the
OF the weights took his measure
August Belmont kept Fair Play in this country
later than Torisciilian. which was shipped 10
England yesterday. for the sole purpose of winning
the Belmont Park Autumn Weight for Age race at
two miles and 4 quarter and the prize Of some
thing s. 099. lie went down 10 he track 10
see has great colt Of which he expects so much In
England eallop home TO an easy victory, but went
home sadly disappointed, greatly upset and not
altogether satisfied that the horse was beaten on
his merits He MAY demand an investigation OF the
race.
II may be said in extenuation of Fair Plays de-
feat that Master Robert-ran the best race of his
career and established a track record for the
distance Of 3.5l a fun second better than the old
mark OF 3d. made by Nealon when he won the
same race last year.
Before going further it must be recorded shat
Bartlett McLennan's Agent followed up his victory
IN the Brook Cup week ago by winning the
Champion Steeplechase the highest honor that
go jumper in this country. He won like real
champion. too, showing disposition TO refuse. as
he has in several this year. and coming from
behind and fighting it out in gamest fashion. Mark
Gunberts. none too well handled, second. and
Malacca third. It must also be recorded that
George Odon's consistent and speedy FLY Trance
found the weight too much IN the twentieth run
ming Of the White Plains Handicap. and faltering
in the last furions. vas beaten by Statesman and
Arondack.
July weather. a good programme and the last
chance for days outing in the big parkike in
closure attracted the biggest crowd OF the meeting
10 the track The clubhouse lawn looked like
olden times and the huge grandstand any
thing bEt deserted with some five thousand per-
sons scattered about For some 1t was goodby
10 racing for the season, and many expressions Of
regret were heard that the end had come and Of
hope that it would not be for all time.
Although Fair Play appeared to have the Bel
mont Park Weight for Age race at his mercy. Jack
NcGinnis decided to add Frank Gill the last
minute. hoping pick up 500 for running second
This may have had some slight bearing on Fair
Plays defeat, and 30 at least Mr. Belmont thought
the son Of Collar raced head and head with him
for a mile and three-quarters ana crowded him
slightly rounding the lower turn. When Fair Play
shook of Frank GIL however, rounding the far
turn. and went on after Master Robert, which had
forced the pace in the run Up the backstretch the
crowd expected TO see him away easily 4
moment later there some apprehension when
Lee drew MS whip, and It suddenly came TO those
looking on that it was a horse race after all and
not a practical waIkoyer and that Master Robert
appeared TO have the better Of il
So il proved Lee drove Fair Play out with hand
and heel. and the good of Hastings responded
with ell Eameness TO the calls Of his rider, but
Master Robert was not 10 be denied and fought
his way on to d worthy victory by scant length
Brother Jonathan finished distant third. while
Frank GIN stopped almost 10 a walk. completely
faded Fair Play viii be shipped TO England next
Saturday. In the absence Of Jack Joyner yester-
day he was saddled by Jimmy Mccormick
The Champion Steeplechssc. over the long ana
irving course Of three miles and half, with TWEEN
tv-iye irlrnps furnished one Of the best races of
the season through the field and Agent won only
after a long stirring drive through the last han
mile with J. Z. Widener's Mark Gumberts ana
the Bonnie Brook Stables Malacca- Eight horses
went 10 the post. including Coligny. the winner
Of the race last year, and not single horse feIl
although Sanctus unseated Dupee at the last jump
after laundering three jumps from home when IN
front and causing the boy 10 lose his strrups,
Mark Gumberts and Malacea altelnated in the
lead for the first mile, but when henderson and
McKinney who had the mounts, pulled back,
Dupee sent SanctUs 10 the front and showed the
WAY 10 the middle Of the last turn, with Malacca.
Ironsides and Mark Gumberts well up and Agent
within easy striking distance and running smooth
u ana kindly.
When Sanctus blundered al third jump from
home almost unseating Dupee, Malacca raced TO
the front. but Agent caught him coming 10 the
last hedge, and. safely over helleher sat down
and drove the son Of George hessler out TO Wtn
by a scant length frem Mark Gumberts which
closed resolutely through the last half mile after
being pulled anG hauled about in an effort TO
place HIM Malacca hung on well and was risht
on the heels Of Mark Gumberts at the finish
BELMONT PARK SUMMARIES.
Weather clear. Track fsst.
prices quoted professional handioapper9
rrz-r rE7r ven old q