New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-31
COLIN WINS THE
RICH BELMONT
UNBE4TEN COLT PULLS
UP As SOUND as EVER.
Big Holiday Cro7cd Enjoys Good
Sport in Spite of a Dirt
ing Rain.

James r. Keene's unbeaten Colin, the horse
which was thought TO be hopelessly broken down
on Thursday. went 10 the post in the rich Bel
mont Stakes Of $4,000 al Belmont Park yester-
day and won his fourteenth straight race. amid
q perfect bedlam of cheers. He made all the
running and came swinging into the stretch
some three or four lengths in front. August
Belmont's Fair Play gave determined challenge.
however, so that hotter drew his whip and
shook UP the son Of Commando Pastorella at
the last furlong pole, only to put it down when
the great colt responded Then Colin began to
loaf again. and Notter. mistakng the regular
finish line for the real one, in front Of the club
house for this particular race. almost brought
about the colts defeat, as he began TO ease him
up E. Dugan, wide awake TO the opportunity
TO snatch the rich prize, drove Fair Play out,
and Colin only won b. scant half length, but
with pounds in reserve.
The scene at the finish almost beggars de-
scription. Between 10000 and $4,000 persons,
out for holiday. We're packed and damned in
the two big stands, and each one stood up and
cheered and shouted and capped, carried away
by the desire express full appreciation for the
victory Of the king Of thoroughbreds, which only
the day before was said TO be lost TO the turf
When hotter brought Colin back TO the stand
after pulling up the cheers broke out afresh'
and men waved their hats, while some went so
far as TO throw theirs in the air. 1t was the
most remarkable greeting ever accorded 10 a
racehorse in this country, and attested full well
the wonderful popularity Of the unbeaten son OF
Commando.
The race was run over a sloppy track and in a
driving rain and little could be seen Of the
horses in the run around the tortuous S-shaped
track which this particular race alone is
run The horses looked like wraiths in the
mist and the colors could not be distinguished
Even after the turn into the straight was
made there was some question about whether it
was Colin or some other horse racing along IN
front Once the colors OF the vice-chaiTnlan Of
the Jockey Club were recognized, however, the
cheering began, and il did not end until Colin
was safely past the winning post. and then only
subsided long enough for those who were shout
ing TO get their breath. Fair Play fought on in
gamest fashion and ran brilliant race, but
King James and Robert Cooper, the other start
ers were hopelessly beaten of.
Ems share Of the rich prize $50, 80.
which brings his total winnings up TO Sl63,-
Az %. James r. Keene Was at the track TO see
Colin run and for once he lost his wonted calm
and actually threw away his umbrella in the ex-
cttment Of the finish it looked for moment
as If Colin would be beaten. in spite OF the fact
tat he hardly more than galoping through
passed however, Mr. Keene his old, quiet
self again. and accepted the congratulations of
his friends who crowded around him with
hardly sign Of elation. He followed the horse
out 10 the paddock through the driving rain,
and stood around while Jimmy Rowe super
intended the cooling out. He looked him over
with critical eye and turned away satisfied as
TO all appearances Colin was as sound and his
legs Were as clean as The day he was foaled-
in talking Of the race Mr.. Keene said that he
feared that hotter mlstooll the finishing point
which might have cost Colin the race and added
that did not think The horse showed to his
best advantage in the mud. Jimmy Rowe had
instructed hotter 10 keep Colin up TO his work
to the end and remarked afterward, when some
one suggested that il was a close shave: Yes,
but not through any fault of the horse. He
could have gone another turn Of the track
The coming back OF Colin was almost as UNI
expected and sensational as the announcement
last Thursday that he would never race again
Late Friday night the first intimation came that
the injuries which il had been feared would
mean his retirement had been found to be only
superficial The news quickly spread that Colin
was at the track and the big crowd waited with
eager interest 20 see If Mr.. Keene would add
him TO the Belmont Stakes under the unfavor-
able conditions. When his name was posted on
the Jockey board this interest increased, and
when
way TO the post he was greeted with a cheer
that was second only to the one which hailed his
victory a few minutes later.
Mr. Keene decided TO start Colin after long
and careful examination yesterday morning
when there was not the faintest sign of the
trouble which had caused so much concern only
Two DAYS before. The horse had been carefully
pointed for this particular race, and inasmuch as
he appe lred TO be in perfect condition MT
keene determined that test was necessary
81 Colin was to he kept In training he might as
well take a chance Of breaking him down per
rnsnentlv in race rather than in a hard work
out. While Colin pulled up sound and cooled
ont well. Mr. Keene said that he would not be
erfire1v satisfied until tomorrow that the great
colt was all right
The victory Of Colin not the only inter
ssting feature of the days sport, which brought
10 an end the most successful meeting ever held
ny the Westchester Racing Association. The
-eeroing rain drove everybody to cover. and the
weather conditions were dreary enough. but this
sear7ed to have little or no effect the good
huraor Of the crowd
John r. AIadden's Sir Martin, son Of Ogden
I'D. Sterling. won the eleventh running Of
-he National Stallion Race after long and
srsrstAd drive with James r. Keene's Selectman
ans NJ Nadderl's ether starter. Joe Madden
The race was worth $500 10 the winner and
Sir Martin won in a way 10 stamp him good
colt Harry Payne Whitney's pair, Bobbin and
ssndpiper. ran below expectations and were not
prominent at the finish
] W Colts Kara wen the Grand National
Steeplechase Handicap over the fun course Of
about TWO miles and a half beating the inter
national chaser, John II. P, which won the
Whitney Memorial Steeplechase week ago
when kara fell sanctus the preferred one of
7 Pei afafFE