New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-05-17
OLD kOENIG wins
JAMAICA CLASSIC
Large Crowd Witnesses Defeat
Of Campfire

filled the little grandstand to overflow
ing and packed the lawn and club
house turned out yesterday afternoon
at the Jamaica track to usher in the
racing season in the metropolitan dis
trict. 1t was an enthusiastic crowd
that arrived at the course, but it was
a, disappointed one.
While a majority of the seven or
eight thousand persons who made up
the throng made the trip to the little
course to welcome the return of the
thorough breds in general, a large por-
ton went to see Campfire, Richard T.
Wilson's big red headed colt. which
won the two-year-old cham pionship in
1916, run in and win the Paumonok
Handicap, the opening stake Of the
season.
They saw their idol run a good race,
but only good enough to finish third.
He received a sound beating by the
ReverWycll stables flve-year-old bay
horse, Old Koenig, and Richard F.
Carmans Startling.
Old Koenig won the stake in a. romp
by three lengths and covered the six
furlong course in the fast time of
1:12 2-5. Startling outgamed Campfire
after a duel in the stretch and finished
second.
Two Jockeys Hurt.
Previous to the disappointment the
racegoers saw two promising young
jockeys probably crippled for life. Roy
Denyse, while riding Adele In the sec
ond race, was knocked against the rail
in the backstretch and had his leg
crushed. Despite the agony he suf-
fered the youngster regained his seat
and rode home to the club house,
whore he was attended by DR.. Dowd,
who administered first aid and sent
him to the hospital.
In the very next race and at the
identical part Of the track, Julius
Wesler received a, similar bump and
similar injury. He was unseated and
carried to the Jockeys room uncon-
scious. He, too, was hurried to the
hospital.
While the defeat of Campfire, which
was an odds-on favorite, was a dis
appointm ent, it was blow to Richard
IT. Wilson, Jr., his owner, and Tom
Healey, his trainer. They believed
their colt was unbeatable at the dis
lance. He had worked exceptionally
we'll for the event and when he
warmed up for the contest was full of
running and Juggling on the bit for free
ter than last year and displayed more
dash and vim than ever before. Vet
eran trainers admired him and his
work and predicted an easy victory in
the Paum onok and better things later
on in the season.
Campfire SuIlked, Says Jockey.
When he was defeated, the experts
offered all sorts of reasons, but no
excuses
II have no excuse to make" said
Tom Healey. HE ran a good race,
but Old Koenig and Startling ran
BETTER
Johnny McTaggart, his jockey, was
the only one who said anything but
lack Of speed caused the favorite's
Johnny said he sulked
when he made a bid for the lead COM
he would not do his best thereafter.
Eight horses made up the field for
the stake. They were: Campfire, |
James Buffers High Noon, A. K. Ma |
combers Hank O'Day, Old Koenig, |
the Crown Stables Greek I
Legend, A. A. Reilly's Green Gold and l.
T. P. Thorne's Panaman. All carried !
weight below the scale, but Campfire, /
with his 1913 pounds, gave away from
four to % pounds to his opponents.
The field got away from the barrier |
to the perfect start, but before six
teenth Of a mile had been travelled, |
High Noon was speeding along In
front, open daylight separating him
from the remainder of the field,
which was led by Old Koenig. Down
he backstretch High Noon sped at a.
terrific pace, with Old Koenig doing 7
MS best to catch him. A. A. Reilly's
Green Gold, which last spring was the |
king Of the Juvenile selling platers,
vas third, and half a length ahead of
"a mpfire. l.
BENEFIT BASEBALL. ?