New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-08
PRETEND WINS STAKE
ESCAPES MUCH CPOWDING
Arondack, from Bad Break, First
Home an Blanket Finish.

Thomas MOnahan's Pretend won the twentv-third
running of the Sapphire Stakes at sheepshead Bay
yesterday, thanks largely to the fact that he es-
capped the erOWding and humping at the elbow out
of the Futurity Course in which Billiard Ball.
Louise Welles and Little King took part and from
which Billiard Ball appeared to be the chief SUI
ferer. Pretend back and the outside at the
time, and while he lost ground by being
forced to run wide, he had clear sailing and was
not knocked out Of his stride Billiard Ball re-
covered quickly and fought on gamely but T.
Dugan brought Pretend along in the last sixteenth
and the colt going away.
From the stand 1t looked as if Glass. on Little
King Largely responsible for the erowding. and
the stewards called him up into the stand for an
explanation He pleaded innocence. however. and
when Patrol Judge Hall confirmed what Glass said
the stewards took action.
One man who up the elbow explained
that Louise WelIes caused the trouble by swerv-
Ing out and knocking Billiard Ball Of his stride
and that the latter in recovering swerved back and
had humping match with Little King. which had
followed the others they ran wide. The feeling
seemed TO be general that In truly race
Billiard Ball would have won.
Arondack, after being practically left at the
post in the closing handicap. made up the lost
ground gradually. and, running the outside of
her field closed with her usual courage and speed
and won driving by a scant half length. with fve
horses heads apart behind her The race
triumph to the skill Of the Handicapped. as the
field came down through the last furIong like
line Of cavalry and with the outcome in doubt
right up to the closing strides, when Arondack on
the extreme outside, poked her nose in front. The
judges, after a moments hesitation. placed Pan
touhe second and Summer Night third although it
looked to some in the stand as if Miss Kearney
earned some part Of the purse. In point OF fact.
she was in such close quarters in the final drive
that Page could not do her justice
King James and Fitz Herbert were scratched
among others. from the third race. at one mile
and a furlong. and the handicappers found it hard
to decide among the three that faced the starter.
Arctic, with f. Dugan up. had friends. did
Beaucoup and Norbitt, so that there pro-
nounced favOrite. Arctic made the running TO the
head Of the stretch, when Norbitt took command
for few strides, only TO give way 10 Beaucoup,
which came away easily in the last furIong Creevy
rode a well judged race the winner. waiting
patiently behind the pace until Just the right time
TO make his move Arctic, horse with bad ac-
! ton, particularly when he begins tire. hung
when most required, and does not appear 10
be up to his best form.
For the third time at the meeting Nimbus. a
pronounced favorite was beaten head on the
post in the at one mile and sixteenth the
/ turf. First it ETHEREAL then came Zenap, and
! yesterday Gliding Belle took the measure of the
Star Shoot four-year-old after long, hard drive
through the stretch Upton, on Nimbus. put his
/ whip down in the last few strides, probably be-
| cause he was too tired to swing it again, but it
| caused some unfavorable comment. Gliding
| Belle only by the narrowest margin, with
| Page riding like hend With stronger boy up
| Nimbus might have won but the fact remains that
| the horse is not good slayer and much prefers
/ six or seven furlongs to longer route.
Fountain Square, a strong paddock tip, was grad
uated from the maiden class in the first race at
the expense Of seventeen other ordinary twO-year-
| ODDS He in way TO indicate that he may
| be capable of better things.
! sHEEPsHEAD BAY SUMMARIES.
| FIRST RACE-THE WHIMSICAL; for maiden two
year-Ods; S4UO added Five and a half furlOngs
FUturity Course. start good Won easily. Time
/ loss. Winner, c., by Dick Wellss-Barbara NJ