Evening star., 1918-07-07

That the American racehorse Of to.
day is faster than ever was shown by
the remarkable time made by Hour
less last fall. when Maj. August Bel
mont's great colt defeated Omar
Khayyam in their special match race
at Laurel. which was to decide the
championship Of the year in the
three-year-old division. On that oc-
casion Hourless ran the mile and a
quarter in 2:02, carrying 126 pounds.
While Whisk Broom II is credited
with a mile and quarter at Belmont
Park in zoo. the timing on that oc-
casion was questioned by experts.
who asserted that a mistake had been
made.
Previous to this, performance of
Whisk Broom II the record was held
by Broomstick. which. in 1904, created
a worlds record of 282 As in win
ming the Brighton handicap from Irish
Lad and Highball. In that year there
were more great horses running than
ever was seen at one time on the
American turf and at that time the
race was held to be the best ever run
in this country.
Seven horses went to the post and
every one of them made a name that
sport. Heading the list in the scale of
weight and favorite in the betting
was the famous five-year-old Water
boy. which carried 127 pounds. The
others were Irish Lad, 127: Maj. Dain-
Eerfeld, 1874; Highball, lis; Eugenia
Burch, 10: Ort W ellis. 10S. and Broom
stick. 104. Broomstick, Highball and
Eugenia Bufch were three-year-olds
at that time. which accounts for their
light imposts.
No better field than this ever went
to the post in those days. Irish Lad
was worlds record holder. having
run the mile and three furlongs of
the Advance stakes in 2.11 3-o,
mark that still stands. Waterboy was
the champion handicap horse of the
year before and wonderfully hand
some thoroughbred. He had won the
race in 1903, making a new record for
the stake. Ort Wells was regarded as
the champion three-year-old of the
year, while Eugenia Burch had just
won the famous American Derby. Maj
Daingerfield and Eugenia Burch were
the outsiders, but both were extreme
ly fast Little Broomstick was rated
fourth in the betting. the public
thinking that he was slightly out
classed by his company.
Irish Lad Broke Down.
While the race and the honors went
to Broomstick by short head, the
most remarkable performance was
that of Irish Lad, which finished sec
ond, running on three legs, after max
ing all the pace. Before the race 1t
was announced that this great son OF
Candlemas- was gong
to the post for the last time. as the
first symptoms of a pronounced ring
bone had become apparent An
through the last stage of the race this
game thoroughbred suffered torture
but with bulldog gameness he hung
on, and if Hildebrand. his rider, had
shown better judgment there is little
doubt that he would have Won
When the riders received their IN
struction Tommy Burns was told TO
20 after the pacemaker. whoever he
might be, with Broomstick: Hide
brand was told to go to the front with
Irish Lad. Lyme got orders TO wal.
with Waterboy and ONeil received
similar instructions regarding ort
Wells.
At the post Broomstick had the
rail. with Irish Lad on the outside.
After a short delay all got away 10
a perfect start. Following his IN
structions to take the lead, Hide
he at once cut across and gained the
coveted position on the rail. The nrst
qua rter was reeled OFF in 0.23 40. with
Irish Lad a length in front and sail
ing along with giant strides Back
of him came Broomstick. and Tapped
on the SON of Ben Brush was High
ball, while the giant black Water
boy was striding along under re
straint three lengths back. waiting
for the leaders to tire.
At the half, which was covered in
o.4s is, Irish Lad still was going
easily, but Burns became impatient
and he began to move up with Broom
stick. At the three ee-quarters. run in
H. 3-5, Broomstick had cut down the
lead to a short head while Highball
was Aye lengths back Waterboy and
Ort Wells. the two which carried the
bulk of the public's money. wee
running with long. easy strides: their
riders watching each other closely.
armiy helieyine that the leaders
would come back and leave the race
between them.