New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-30
Wilson Horse Brings Joy to
Backers-Spur, Favorite,
Finishes Second
BY FRANK 0'NEILL


and green of r. T. Wilson, jr, won the
twenty-fifth running of the Metropoli-
tan Handicap at Belmont Park yester-
day afternoon. He splashed his way
home through hook deep mud, three
lengths in front Of Spur, which carried
the hopes of the greater part of the
10000 who welcomed the horses 10
Americas new market. Harry Payne
Whitney's bay gelding Borrow fought
his way up to third place by a good
run through the stretch.
Ormesdale won the race i'm | minute
80 l-5 seconds, which was most remark
able under the conditions. The record
for the race at Belmont Park is
1887 As, held jointly by John Whalen's
Buskin, and the 0neck Stables Fashion
Plate. which won the event in 1911 and
1910, respectively.
Goes to Front at Start
The victory was won as victory in
such stakes should be won. When the
barrier was sprung to send the field
on its way around the picturesque
course, Ormesdale was first to poke his
muzzle in front. There he stayed, run
the true type of horse. Those with
watches looked again when the hands
indicated 1925 seconds for the frst
eighth of a mile. 1t was rare speed
in the going, but other poles were
passed in equally fast time.
Hard on the flank Of 0rmesdale ran
Dick Williams, the red and white
stripes Of A. X. Mscomber flashing
through the gray pail of the misty af-
ternoon, while strung along raced Dor
row, Old Koenig, Celandria and Fern
rock. and the highly favored Spur was
a dead last. So the order ran with
little change until the garter and
three eighth marks were left behind,
the watches registering 20 and 81 sec
onds at the respective marks. The
half-mile was passed in AZ seconds, with
no change in the order of running.
As the field swung by the three-quar-
ter mark, in 1:15, Spur began to move
up. Stride after stride the King James
colt gained. and passing Celandria, Old
Koenig, Borrow and Fernrock, he came
into third position. A roar greeted the
advance Of the bearer of the white and
cherry. 1t was the advance that the
thousands had waited for-the advance
that presaged ultimate victory. On
rushed Spur, up TO second, gaining
ground on Ormesdale until he was rae
ing at the latter's throatlatch.
Little Johnny McTaggart, who, riding
with all the skill at his command, was
nursing Ormesdale along, saving him
as much as he could, while making his
run from the front, now shook out a
wrap. gave his mount his head and
cut of the lash at the same time. The
effect was immediate. II was galvanlc.
The long, smooth stride heightened,
and like a golden fash the good chest
nut jumped length into the lead.
Spur Drops Back
For few strides Spur hung on, but
he was a bit short on work, and slowly
but surely dropped back. lie was
pounds the best of the others, but was
not I'D 10 the task Of catching the
chestnut streak that raced on before,
mocking his speed while destroying
distance in mighty strides. So on TO
the end they strobe, the issue never in
doubt after the momentary struggle
along the stretch. The time at the
seven-eighths mark was 1877.
While the winner and the second
horse were fighting their duel for SUI
premacy, there were scenes quite as
stirring in the struggle for minor hon
ors. The glamour was lacking, but the
spirit of fight surged in the hearts OF
the others, too. Borrow, which was
back in the ruck for the greater part
of the distance, outrun by Dick Will
Jams, moved up strongly, passing the
Macomber entry and Celandria without
trouble. At the end the Whitney horse
was picking up ground on Spur, but
lacked length at the finish.
The race lost something in popular
interest because Stromboli was
scratched. Sam Hildreth. who trains
The Fair Play gelding, decided that the
conditions wre not exactly favorable,
and that nothing would be lost by wait
inc. At the last minute he added Fern
rock. while CelandTia also was sent in.
Fernrock decided to kick up while at
the post. He kicked and bit at every
horse which came near him, but finally
consented to race.
His running was as Disappointing as
his post manners were bad, and he
finished a poor last, holding that posi-
ton for more. than five-eighths of the
distance.
sun King won the New York Steeple-
chase cleverly, waiting of the pace un-
u. the IdSt nail Hlllt' "hSh ht hiauN
his move and won going away. About
one length separated him from Hibler.
with Falmouth third. Sharpshooter and
Wolferton II lost their riders. The
former was leading the field two jumps
from home when he bungled in clear
ing a hurdle and sent Heating spin
ming out of the saddle. The boy was
badly shaken up. but not otherwise
damaged. Wolferton II lost his rider
early in the race.
Some Rude Shocks
The form players were rudely
shocked in the lrst race when Pickwick.
from J. +. Wideners stable, led the
way to the wire. with the highly re-
garded Top o. tn Morning a trailing
third. Other jolts were in store, for
on the entire card J. J. Lillis was the
only first choice 20 get home in front.
Belmont Park bears many sears Of
the FIRE The rear Of the stand is
confused mass Of fre-blackened iron,
but order will soon be restored. There
were few complaints heard yesterday.