Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-14
JACK ATK|N
WINS HANDICAP
Sain Colt Captures Rich Met
ropoIitan at Belmont
Park.

NEW YORK. May 14.-ln the presence
of such a throng as only fine day and
the real opening of the local racing sea-
son in beautiful Belmont Park could bring
forth, Jack Atkin. carrying top weight.
won the rich Metropolitan handicap yes
terday afternoon. Restigouche, one of
James r. Keene's two entries. was sec
ond, while Don Creole, regarded in the
betting as a rank outsider, was third.
McCarter, the heavily played favorite.
Jagged behind at the finish and King Co
bait, also heavily played. brought up the
rear, fully 20 lengths back of the leader.
The time was fast-13S 3-5, which is a
new record for the race on the Belmont
course.
Don Creole's performance was the fea-
ture Of the race. Starting In last posi-
ton and on the far outside, he fought
against the hardest sort OF luck. gaining
hardly an inch until the last eighth of a
mile was in sight. Then he shot forward
like bolt and came down the stretch at
pace which brought the great crowd to
its feet with roar after roar OF encourag-
ing applause. AT every jump he appeared
to gain a new position, and at the finish
he lacked a scant half length of shutting
Restigouche out of second honors.
Society Turned Out.
Society f1ocked in thousands to what
many consider Americas most beautiful
racing course to witness the running of
the big handicap, which has come to be
looked upon as the actual inaugural of
the racing season. The day was nearly
perfect The summerlike heat was tenn
pered by a gentle breeze. the Sky was
almost cloudless and the air dry and
clear. The course. which had been
c$a1x iVo IN,
splendid condition and extremely fast.
Early in the afternoon thousands came
pouring on foot into the park by the
long shaded promenades which lead to It.
and in hundreds of automobiles and other
road conveyances. Long before the first
race was called the great steel and con-
crete stands. with tier after tier of seats
towering almost to the height of mod
ern city skyscraper. were filled with men
and women clad in summer raiment. and
the wide green lawns between the stands
and the course were thronged.
To the left. the great verandaS of the
clubhouse and the big lawn in front were
literally covered with typical summer
crowds of racing enthusiasts. and to the
right the big field stand was filled to the
limit Fully 5000 persons witnessed the
running of the big event. Everywhere
there was color. and that there was en-
thusiasm to spare was amply evidenced
by the early contests. When the bugle
mettle of which was 20 be tested for the
big prize of the racing year. the crowd
rose with shouts for the various favorites.
Down past the stand the horses cantered
and then. wheeling quickly. dashed away
to the post far.across the green oval.
Superman Off First.
The race was an even mile. When the
barrier was sprung Superman darted
away in the lead. with McCarter. Jack
Atkin and King Cobalt pressing close be-
hind.
The remainder of the field was we'll
punched. with Don Creole and Blue Book
bringing up the rear Before the quarter
was reached Jack Atkin had wrested the
lead from Superman. King Cobalt had
forged ahead to second and was pressing
closely for first honors. Restigouche was
back length and the others were trail
ing. with Don Creole still bringing UP the
rear of the procession. From that point TO
the finish it was a heart-hreaking race.
Time and again Jack Atk1n was chal
lenged but every time he responded to the
cali for greater effort. and at the three
quarters he had heightened his advantage
until three clean lengths separated him
from Restigouche following at his heels
McCarter. heralded as the winner and
carving the hopes of thousands. had be9A
falling steadily behind. and at the three
quarters he was in last position, with
never a. hope of his even getting within
the money.
Don Creole Sprints.
Superman, too. had dropped back until
he was keeping McCarter company well
in the rear. In the meantime Don Creole
had sprinted out of the bunch. passing
horse after horse until only five lengths
and two horses were between him and the
prize. AS they swung into the stretch
the pace quickened. Restigouche began.
SLOWLY but surely to cut down Jack At
kin's narrow lead ana Don creole as
steadily drew ahead.
AS they neared the grandstand the
thousands rose as one. Cheer after cheer
went ND and mingled with them the
sharp insstent cries of men and women
urging on their favorites.
The pace of the three leaders was a hot
one but Spooner in fourth position. was
pressing him hard. These four fought
ont as game a finish as could be wished.
tanned the lead by an ample margin.
Restisouche was tired. but we'll earned
his pace directly behind the leader. and
Don Creole by his performance proved
himself a dangerous horse In any class in
a hard race Spooner had clung well mp
to the leaders, but behind him th"re was
y break. and the others were stretched
out over spac. of fuzzy twenty lengths.
The SummaIies
First race seven furlnrcs Hani.ir Alan. III
tNiusyrayr, IL /. Won. Initiate. l'i6 IT, Du-
gam, 3 To L. second: Dial + ATE, los ,Shreve,.
&, to l. third Time ,..i -. NicL Stnnrr.
Mon,auk, Troublesome .,l1,sn line" Tosenia.
Hardpan and strawberries also ran.
Second race four and one-half furl"ngs -Fitz-