New-York tribune., 1918-06-07
Spectacular Recovery Gives
Stonewood Win in
Steeplechase
By w. ]. Macbeth

duueI Starter IN the Ladies' Handicap
feature race at Belmont Park yestcr-
cay afternoon, outfooted and outgamed
the heavily played favorite, Priscilla
Mullens, in one Of the very most SEN
sational races seen in the metropolitan
circuit this season. Eyeld was not only
an outsider, but an added starter. We
leave the rest to your Imagination.
Priscilla Mullens, with Jockey L.
Lyke up, was one of the very best
played favorites that had gone to the
post during the meeting. There was
nothing the matter with Lyke. The
added starter was the fly in the oint-
ment. Commodore J. K. L. Ross's good
four -year-old filly put up as game an
effort as ever could be seen. She wasn't
quite as good as Eyelid yesterday.
That's the answer.
1t was thrilling race from start to
finish and it didn't end until long after
the boys had weighed in. P. A. Clark's
Battle, ridden by Johnny Lotus, pounds
the best boy here, had such a stormy
passage that the stewards decided an
investigation was in order. Battle was
bumped by just about everything else
and winner, Eyelid.
Lotus had decided to let the race go
as it lay. But he was called up into
the stand by the stewards. He told his
story brify but forcibly, illustrating
each phase in pantomime. The crowd,
ever hopeful Of disqualification of
the outsider, gathered around eagerly
The stewards denberated. Then they
dellberated some more, while the crowd
grew impatient. There were many ges-
ticulations by the officials in the stand.
up the red ball, leaving the issue just
as the horses finished, while to the
sparse handclappngs the majority
turned glumly to the odds on the next
race.
Head Down Wins
This Ladies' Handicap at mile was
a horserace if ever there was one. En-
filade had the early foot and cut out
gruelling pace, off which the eventual
principals laid, finely rated. At the
half Priscilla Mullens had collared En-
tilade by a head, but Eyelid was run
ming we'll within herself only two
lengths back. Rowan then began to
move up. He crept up slowly around
the far turn, and when the stretch turn
was reached had his mounts head at
Lyhc Sauulc. LYME CAME Wiuc OH lIlt
turn, carrying out his most formidable
competitor.
They settled into a duel then, heads
apart, that had the stands in an uproar
CT excitement. From the eighth pole
on it was as even competition as
could be imagined, both between the
horses and the jockeys. The mounts
were ridden admirably. The thorough
breds responded with every ounce Of
energy. But as they swept past the
finish Eyelid's head happened to be
down, while that of Priscilla Mullens's
was up. OF such is first money in real
horseracirg.
Not the least spectacular and impress
sive of the days dongs was the victory
of Stonewood in the steeplechase. The
victory was popular Of course, because
the winner happened to be the favorite.
Yet he had to be pounds the best horse
to win and would not have won even
at that, but for most spectacular dis
play of horsemanship on the part of
Jockey D. Byers.
Recovery Is Spectacular
On the whole Stonewood fenced beau
tifully, besides showing the foot on the
fiat. The seventh fence he took some
what slovenly, hit badly and spilled
right on his snout Byers, unseated,
landed on the horses head. stone
wood, catching his feet to right him
self, tossed the boy back. Byers
grabbed the horses name in such
fashion as to light on his saddle. 1t
was probably all accident, but it was
spectacular. Stonewood, that had been
leading, found his feet without losing
more than q stride.
No one would have given nickel for
Stonewood's chances at this stage of
"a Jn,1 Rue h.,.
which had been under double wraps all
the way, had enough left to win even
after the misfortune. He swerved
badly two jumps from home and tired
badly through the final run. Bus Allen
was such hindrance on Sir Oliver that
the latter could not take advantage of
the fine opportunity.
The first race was a mad scramble
among a field of twenty-one, in which
the favorite, Onco, blew in the last
fifty yards after threatening to make
it walkover. Williams Brought up
Golden Glow with rush through the
last sixteenth after much early inter
ference, just in time to win by an inch
or two in the very last stride.
McTaggart Is Kissed.
Johnny McTaggart, who rode the
favorite, Corn Tassel, was Kissed at
the conclusion of the third race at
mile. He gave very bad exhibition of
horsemanship, though it is doubtful if
Corn Tasscl, perfectly handled, could
have beaten the speedy Johren yester-
day. The latter, which broke in front,
soon opened up commanding lead,
which he maintained to the end.
Air Man, backed from to 2 to 8 to
5, was one of the most pupular sue
cesses Of the afternoon. Ensor rated
his mount we'll, came on when ready
after hitting the stretch and won
just about as he pleased. Frederick
the Great, which set fast pace to the
seventh furlong pole, stopped to a dead
walk after he passed that mark.
Lyke, up on Aunt Dinah, proved an
upset for Under Fire, a favorite of
the last race, in a brilliant drive
through the last eighth of the four
and Il half furiongs straight. 1t was
much the same sort Of finish as that
between Eyelid and Priscilla Mullens.
Immediately after the steeplechase
the stations Light Arms, Roiy, Tex
tile, O'Sullivan, Achievement and Sara
toga were paraded in front of the
stands. These horses, donated to or
purchased by the Federal government
for the Improvement of cavalry re-
mount types, will be shipped to Fort
Keough. Mont, to-day.
Consensus Of expert opinion favors
Cudgel for the rich Suburban Handicap
to be run Saturday. The field for this
classic will be strong on quality if not