Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-25
HOT FINISH
IN OPENER
BLUE BOTTLE, 20 TO I, GIVEN
THE VERDICT
5otanist Easily Beats Favorite In La
Senda Handicap, Feature on
Days Gard at Santa
Anita

Who won the first race yesterday? +?
That's the question everyone who at
tended the doings at Santa Anita asked
when the flock of nags which went out
to earn oat money in the opening num-
ber finished in a bunch and SO close
together that even Eagle Eye Clement
could not separate them. The judges
made wild stab with hat pin ana
awarded the victory to Blue Bottle, at
20 to l, Nettie Hicks at lbs being placed
second and Red Thistle, so to /, third.
The favorite, Hazlethorpe, was left out
of the change although she and Mar
pessa were right there at number time.
After the excitement in the opener
the card settled down to an ordinary
one. Three favorites, Macias, Merlingo
and Henry of Shennamere dished in
the gravy for the students, and Fred
Mailer at to /, and Botanist any
where between 6s and IS, accounted for
what was left after Blue Bottles VIC
tory. The last event was close enough
for anybody's money and the third was
a good-lool1ing race until right at the
end.
The La Senda handicap was billed as
the feature, and Botanist. well meant,
Copped with ease. Mary f was second,
being put to drive to stall off Lisaro,
which kept in close attendance all the
way. Botanist was played to fare
thee-well. He opened up at to l IN
some of the emporiumS, and hung there
for about-a second. Then the edu-
Gated coin began to dwindle in, and 10
to was the best obtainable when the
bugle sounded. Mary F was favorite
all the time at to and thereabouts,
and Lisaro had 31s chalked against his
chances.
Schilling broke in front with Bot
anist, and along the back stretch Mary
F stuck right behing him. Lisaro was
close up, but Botanist never faltered
when they drew closer. He turned Tor
home two lengths to the good, and In
the run to the wire held his advantage
easily. Mary F was put to a drive by
Iisaro in the closing strides, but main
tanned the place position by narrow
margin.
Fred Maier Wins
The baby race was copped by Fred
Maier, at to 1. Bertha and Corlel
made the running, but Fred came along
with his usual aggressive finish IN time
to score. Coriel managed to keep place
honors and Ace of Diamonds, which
was made an even money faVorlte'
came fast at the end to show.
Montclair and Macias were two
lengths ahead of the others at the end
of the third event, but Macias was
good enough to draw away rev
jumps out and deprive the race of
hair raising finish Taraban hnlshed
resolutely and was there to secure
nose verdict for the show money.
Merlingo, favorite for the fifth race.
was in front for thA entire mile and
hree-sixteenths, and just when it
looked as if he was going to stop, drew
away from his field and won easily. In
a fierce drive Avontelius hung it on
County Clerk for the place. The latter
two came from the very rear of the
procession to run over the others in the
way. The time of the race. 1859 40, was
exceptionally good for these beetles,
Doc Ogle purchased Franciscan from
Tommy Fullum just before the closing
event and had the pleasure of watching
his gelding lead S. A. Carlisle and the
others for quite ways. Decorator was
in command turning for home. but
when the real run began Henry of
Shennamere, the liberal priced first
choice, was right there TO beat Deco
rator nose. Songwriter, with Schil-
ling in the saddle, was third.