New-York tribune., 1918-10-25

The scantiest of scant noses alone
gave him the verdict over Sam Hill
dreth's Cirrus. And for the grace of
that scant nose LOTUS was directly
responsible. The finish Lotus put up
with Mr.. Macombcr's Motor Cop the
previous afternoon was gem of ex-
pert efficiency, for Ultima Thule,
beaten out scant nose. then seemed
pounds better than the winner. Lotus
outrodc both Ensor, on Ultima Thule
and Lyke on the latter's stable COM
ranion, Jock Scot, just as he outrodc
yesterday.
In the Motor Cop race Lotus has to
put his supreme effort in the stretch
weighted War Pernant. he was called
upon for the supreme effort from the
barrier rise to the finish. There was
lot a single instant throughout the
short six furlongs when Johnny could
afford to loaf. At no time till the
finish did he hold the race safe. and at
the finish his winning margin was fast
slipping away. Cirrus finished by far
the stronger Of the two and undoubted-
ly would have won in q few more
strides.
Draws Rail Position
LOTUS not only outrode Lyke and
Walls and Erickson from start to fin
ish, but outgeneralled them, too. He
drew the raj position, to lose which at
any time meant defeat. He was hanked
by Young Adams, with Cirrus next and
the feet Ophelia on the outside. Cas-
sidy sent the four away in perfect
alignment All four got in motion to-
gether; all four hung together for up
ward of quarter-mile, until the first
turn was reached. No prettier spectacle
ever was seen at any racetrack than
this early sprint of the four. No one
could call the positions with certainty
at the start. And, allowing for the
angle, the first and the last seemed
separated by inches only at the end of
the quarter-mile.
Yet the horsemanship of Lotus and
his cunning, too, stood out in this wild
flight to the bend. By maintaining his
rail position in this wonderful align
ment Johnny realized, evidently, that
he would force the others over the
longer route, and as Cirrus, the most
dangerous contender, was next to the
outside, it was an advantage not to be
despised.
The cunning of Lotus was soon evil
denced when the field began to sweep
round the bend. War Pennant, hug
ging the rail, with the best possible
guide to the shortest way home drew
away quickly to lengths lead over
Cirrus at the first bend. 1t was an
advantage that saved the race for him.
Ophelia and Young Adam were racing
head to head length further back.
Try as he would, around the bend
Lyke could not whittle' down an inch
of War Pennant's advantage. At the
near turn Lyke, having to go wide
again to get clear track, lost further
ground. The two jockeys were working
like mad with the mounts by this time.
Lotus skinned the rail with the lead
er, keeping his charge straight as an
arrow all the way home.
War Penhant showed great resource
and courage. He was doing his best
for Johnny under skilful hand ride.
AT the top of the stretch Cirrus re-
sponded to Lyke's lash and inch by
inch began to creep up on the pace
maker. At the last furlong War PEN
rant began to show signs Of weariness
The weight had begun to tell heavily.
But LOTUS, never losing his head and
sizing up the respective conditions Of
the contenders. decided upon the gen
tier course with his game and gallant
War Pennant. He hand rode all the
teenth q classic Of horsemanship that
would have fattered the best of all the
Snapper Garrisons and Tod Sloans.
"Million- Dollar" Ride
A million dollar ride it was, and ap-
volved the vindication of form in this