Evening star., 1918-05-28
TR0MPE La M0RTE
Wins TURF CLASSIC
Widener's Imported Three
Year-0Id a Surprise in the
Metropolitan Handicap.

NEW YORK. May 2s.-Trompe La
Morte, the imported three-year-old
chestnut colt belonging to Joseph E..
Widener OF Philadelphia, won the his
toric Metropolitan handicap at Bel
mont Park yesterday afternoon. Old
Koenig, the bay horse which carried
the colors of the Beverwyck stable to
victory in the Paumonok handicap a
fortnight ago. finished second. and
Priscilla Mullens. owned by Com
mander J. X. l.. Ross of Ottawa, Can
ada. was third.
The mighty Omar Khayyam, the
heavily backed public choice, showed
none of the speed that earned him the
three-year-o crown last year, and
was beaten nearly a sixteenth Of a
mile.
Like all previous winners of the ia
nous stake. which was first run in
1891, Trompe La Morte won like a good
horse. There was nothing fiuky about
the race. He carried only 102 pounds
and was much the best at the weights
He sped over the one-mile journey in
the fast time OF 1.3S 3-5, and at the
end was length and a half in front
and going away
Not Conceded Chance.
The victory was not a popular one.
Few of the 10000 racegoers who turn
ed out to see the event conceded
Trompe La Morte a chance of victory,
and those who didn't support Omar
Khayyam pinned their faith on
Roamer. Old Koenig or the Macomber
- ~ tvry uv,1y NJ, NJ
To the throng 1t seemed impossible
that q three-year-old which was de-
cisively beaten a few days ago by
Achilles could lead home this high
class field. The classic had been won
by horses of his age before, but not
since 1905, when the late James r.
keene,s immortal Sysonby and Race
King divided honors by running a dead
heat.
Trompe La Morte is one Of a dozen
French-bred horses purchased from
Edmond Blanc, the celebrated turfman
whose colors have been seen in the
van in most of the big races in Eu-
rope. and he is the only one OF the jo,
that has come up to expectations.
Omar Big Disappointment.
The poor showing Of Omar Khavvam
was a keen disappointment to ali the
racegoers present. Even those who
lent their support and wagers to other
contestants expected him to run a
much better race. and when he brought
up before the judges in sixth place the
crowd murmured the greatest horse
in the world has gone wrong" Slight
ly fnterfered with soon after the start
ne was never contender.
The field was small. only eight hor.es
going to the post. They were Tromne
Ia Morte, Old koenig. Priscilla Mul-
Millers Roamer, Omar khayyam and
the Macomber pair. Hank O'Day and
Walnut Hall. 0i'u
There was little or no delay at tbs
post and Mars Cassidy sent the octat
away on even terms. AS has alwavs
stride in a 1iffy and was the first 10
show in front. He sped down the ba cI
stretch at q terrific pace. foilowsd
closely by Old Koenig and Tromna Ia
Morte. which were running neck and
neck. q length ahead of Priscilla Mil.
nr lehs 81 oma. was Leading the remainder
OF the neid. Just before rounding ~.
turn Omar made an attempt to 70 IN
to the leaders. but he met with Sntsrp
ference ,e and quickly dropped back Ia
Around the bend Roamer s,.nn.d
separating him from Trompe IL Mn,ts
and Old koenig. which were sti,l
speeding along like team. Into . the
| nome stretch Mr.. Miller's veteran
champion showed the way. He Was
In front by half length and wa. 10.
! ing his mightiest. But he was Iead-
ing only on sufferance now, for Wills
he was doing his best both Tromne
La Morte and Old Koenig were under
restraint and tuzging nightly for
| their heads. ~
When straightened out Jockey Nc
Atee gave Mr.. Widener's imporfa fjnn
his head and Joe Byrne went to ths
whip on Old Koenig. Both horses
| fairly deyoured the ground and in a
| few strides both were in front ~
Itoamer. For another sixteenth OF a
mile Trompe La Morte and Old Koe-
| mig battled for supremacy. Then the
Beverwyck stables entry began "to
hang" while the Widener colt seemed
to travel faster. and the race was
over so far as the winner was con-
| ccrned.
Priscilla Mullcns came IN with a
rush in the last furlonK, but Old Koe-
mig held on long enough to take place
ho7ors by length.