The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-31
VAST CROWD SEEMS
AWE STRICKEN
AT FINISH
King James Victory Greeted
With Low Rumble Instead
of Cheers
By William ,. SIzttery

iitGl M every 6EcAk race OK TIE CLASS
Sam Hildreth's giant horse. King
James. stretched his neck past the wire
in front OF DOrante yesterday after
noon and was proclaimed the winner
OF CALIFORNIA; great classic turf event.
the Burns handicap. The finish was
spectacular and exciting enough TO
drive any crowd mad but yesterdays
gathering failed to show its emotions
in this manner. Instead OF the mighty
cheers. there escaped from the lips OF
the thousands a chorus OF "ohs" and
''ahs. which bore a striking resem-
blanee to the rumblinG OF a thunder
storm as it approaches from a dis,
tanCe
1t was a grand race and a wonderful
finish. one OF The grandest that ths
old time turf followers ever gazed
upon, and they were all willing to ad
ranged. 1t could not possibly have
been brought off in more exciting
manner, for the two horses in front
At least. Perhaps it was this wonder
ful strain which held the crowd spell
bound and caused everybody 10 forget
their enthusiasm and neglect TO cheer
the gallant steeds as they tore like
mad things down the stretch
Nobody could have looked for a bet
ter day for the running OF the classic.
only, few faint clouds dotted the
azure SKY aLLeE the noon QOQE and the
sun scored an early triumph There
was Just enough chill to the air to
render II braclng and crisp and 10
cause the blood OF the crowd to tiuEIe
70 right degree. Everybody adm.
that a inner day for such a race never
daNned in the Golden State.
Long before the hour OF noon the
crowds began pouring through the two
big gates of the track. Each train and
streetcar and each automobile brought
its human cargo. and BY the time the
horses were ready for the second race
the famous track presented the great
spectacle which 10 seen only once a
year in California One glance at the
vast multitude would have convinced
any outsider that the racetrack was
having its day OK days.
ALL CLASSES TURN OUT
The grandstand presented a wonder
ful spectacle. Every seat in the vast
ed1hce seernd filed and every moment
one looked FOR the crowd TO overflow
the place and climb on top OF the roof
so great was the crush and Jam 1t
was a sight worth going miles TO Ssee
and there was many a man and woman
who took the trip for no other purpose
The crowd represented every race and
every calling The student OF human
nature might have found each class OF
brushed elbows with day Iaborers and
members OF the bar talked the race
over with the inveterate turf habtrueS.
who eat, drink and dream nothing save
horse They all seemed TO look alike
yesterday. They were all there to pay
homage to the steed and they forgot
everything else for the time being T.
was one day when the horse reigned
supreme. He was Worshiped and a.,
adored on all sides by all manner OF
persons.
The same old scene was enacted over
again in the betting ring. Here was
gathered the thousands OF men, all bent
upon the same uiSsion-to have his
fling at the race OF the year. No bee
~ ~
than did the book makers oasis, and
il is many a moon since these same
book makers spent a more active day
The crowd was willing and free with
its money and the game seemed to
grow better as the minutes fed by.
There was no evidence OF hard times in
that ring.
This wild and reckless crowd OF horse
mad men simply showered its money at
the bookies. Everybody seemed TO be
lighting for a chance to beat his neigh
Dor to the block II was a golden
commandment and the men who were
being bombarded had to fight with the
owners OF the coin in order 70 faclh-
tate matters. 1t seemed as though
the bettOrs wanted to be parted from
their wealth faster than the layers OF
the odds were willing 10 take charge
of it, and the latter worked like oeav-
The man with a So note was Just as
enthusiastic and just as anxious as The
man who carelessly handled q 5000
roll of greenbackS or stack OF gisten-
\ ing double eagles Each thought ne
had more than an even chance TO beat
the bookies at their own game and ne
did not wish to be denied the privilege
After it was all over. the pubic anu
even. Each had his fling az the game.
but few went away sarlsned- IheN
generally always leave the track In the
same frame OF mind after Burns
handicap has been decided.
KING JAMES Is CROWNED
When the horses paraded proudly
past the stand just before the great
race, the rumble which marked the nm
ish seemed to begin Excited men and
Gus candidates as they stepped lightly
over the soggy track. This was the
signal for every body to get ready. The
/ grandstand tiptoed itself In order 70
catch every move. and there was q
general rush from the betting ring TO
the open after the last wager had been
recorded
were the two favorite words with all
after the mighty racehOrse had been
safely piloted through BY Jockey Eddie
Dugan And the thoroughbred seemed
to realize that all tongues were pro
nouncing his name and all eyes were
focused upon him. AS he was led back
to the post lie shifted the air and tossed
his head in a knowing way.
When the victorious animal had been
relieved of his saddle and was sur
rounded Dy his enthusiastic ADMIRERS.
Colonel Dan NJ Burns. for whom the
rich stake was named, stepped forward
to crown the steed with a beautiful
floral wreath. King James seemed TO
recognize the donor OF the Offering.
for he extended his great head. nodded
/ it knowingly and then. reaching for
ward. began 10 nibble at his wreath
| OF honor
At the conclusion OF the last race
/ the vast crowd made its usual home
ward dash. The stand. clubhouse and
betting ring were quickly emptied and.
an hour later, there was no evidence
that CALIFORNIA; greatest hOrserace had
/ Just passed into history
Among those who watched the sport
from the clubhouse were:
Colonel and Mrs d. NJ Burns. Charles De
Young Mr.. and Mrs Joseph Tobin. Mr.. and MR..
Charles du Val. Richard TObln. Cyril Tobin.
Edward TObin. James Tucker. Mr. and Mrs
Charles Ford Mr.. and Mrs l. Pierce. Mrs Alice
Bassett Miss Edna jones' Mr. and Mrs George
Starr Miss Mabel Stewart. Miss May O'Connor.
Miss Gertrude O'COnnor. Walter O'ConDor. Mr.
and Mrs Clarence Edwords. Mrs. Bessie Bennion.
william Hopkins. o. A. Wilson. Spencer Grant
Dr. Pohein Lee Pockwttz, Mr.. and Mrs Dan
forth Mr. and Mrs Charles DuEphy. Miss Maud
O,Connor Senator Frank Leavitt. Lansing Mia
ner Mrs Alice Lerch Mrs John Cimmer. Mra
Frances Fleming. 3fFs. E. Fl. Price. Miss JuHs
Price Mrs Tealv. Prescott Scott. n ". How
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