The sun., 1918-09-29
GEORGE SMITH WINS;
ROAMER ONLY THIRD
War Cloud Beats Champion for
Place in Edgemere Handi-
cap at Aqueduct.
DEAD TRACK ONE REASON
H. l.. Pratt's TrumpatOr Wins
Greensboro Stecplechase,
Other Main Event.
DEAD TRACK ONE REASON

George Smith. the fast but III TEN
pered horse belonging TO John Sanford
which won the Kentucky Derby in 1915
ran one Of the best races of his career
yesterday afternoon at the Aaueduc,
track.
Under the guidance Of Jockey Lyke. he
displayed no signs OF I'll temper and wor
The Edgemere Handicap from ono OF the
best fields OF handicap horses which
have faced a starter since the Saratoga
meeting. Among those he left behind
him were Andrew Miller's champion
Roamer, A. X. Macombers War Cloud
and James Buffers Spur. At the end OF
the one mile and a furlong journey he
was only galloping four lengths ahead OF
War Cloud. which Johnny LOTUS lifted
home In second place, head in front OF
Roamer.
Tho defeat Of Roamer was a sad sur
prise to the big crowd Of racegoers who
turned out to see the champion in action
That he lost was due to several reasons
In the first place, tho track was dead
from the recent rains. and this mitigated
against his chances. Second. It was hi.
first race since the day he smashed Sal
vator's record at Saratoga six weeks
ago. and. third, Jockey Robinson. instead
OF schuttinger. rode him. Besides. he
attempted to give away big Jumps Of
weight TO all his opponents except War
Cloud.
- Ran = Good Race for All That.
Despite these handicaps the veteran
champion ran a mighty good race. and
when he returned to the scales he was
greeted with as much applause as that
showered on the victor
For the event seven horses were
named to start. but Mr.. Miller with
drew Ticket and Mr.. Macomber scratched
Motor Cop. With them out. the Ave
horses which went TO the post furnished
one of the most open races Of the year.
George Smith had been worked phe-
-bomenally we'll for the race and the
slip that he would win was heralded
broadcast. With the report that he was
better than ever in his life came dis
couraging announcements from the sta
bles OF the other contestants. Roamer.
Zoo. had done great guns In his trials
but A. J. Goldsborough advised Mr.. Mil
Ter and all Of his friends not to wager on
him.
THE track does not suit himS he told
every one who visited the paddock, land
he needs . race to put him at his top
form. He is still tho champion and as
good. speedy and sound as ever. but he
Is getting old and will not work like he
used to, and II 10 necessary to race him
into his best condition"
Odds Go Up to 10 to 5.
That statement made his odds rise
from to / to 16 to s. Walter Jen-
ntngs. trainer for Mr. Macomber also
was dissatisfied with the condition OF the
track.
war Cloud is at hi. best now" he
told his friends. but he prefers a fast
track and might not show to advantage
To-Day"
John whalen believed Spur had good
chance, but. like the other trainers,
feared the dead track even though his
charge Ii a noted mud runner Daddy's
Choice was in tho race with only IS
pounds and had a host OF friends. but
J. Flanagan said his horse would run
better over fast track or q sloppy one
Preston Burch heard the reports from
the other stables and was elated.
My horse will run we'll over any
kind Of track He is At and think he
will win"
Mars Cassidy made a psrfect start
without an instants delay. As the bar
r'er went up the lightly weighted Dad
dv's Choice sprang to the front and
on his field. But before an eighth Of a
mile had been covered Roamer was in
front. He was on the inside and in the
sticky going next the rail. and despite
the fact that he had waiting orders
Robinson rushed him 10 the lead But
he also had instructions to keep his
charge away from the rail- and fearing
ne would be penned In in the heavy GO
ing throughout the race Robinson de-
cided to take his charge to the front and
track
Forced TO Stay Pacemaker.
Rosmer had sufficient speed to take
command. but he was not fast enough
10 get sufficiently ahead to cross over in
'front.' of Daddy's choice. with the result
ne was compelled to remain the pace
maker. Rounding the bend, he opened
UP gap OF three lengths on his field.
put when he entered the homo stretch
this margin had been cut down to n
length. Spur and War Cloud were clos
ing rapidly, while George Smith, under a
patient ride by Lyke. was gradually
moving up from last place
Until the final furlong pole was
Isacned Roamer remained in front, and
then George Smith, which was full of
soon
as Lyke gave him his head Mr.. Sanford's
morse bounded to the front and settled
az doubt as to the winner. George |
smith gained ground with every bound |
ana sixteenth Of a mile from home was
isr enough ahead OF his opponents to |
walk home and earn the major portion !
OF the purse. As he galloped past the |
Judges the vlctoy. Roamer and War Cloud |
came speeding toward the finish line
ABREAST. Roamer was probably the bet |
yer morse, but Johnny LOTUS was on |
war Cloud and the noted Jockey man.
aged 10 make his charge nod his head |
nome ahead OF the old champion Despite |
me poor condition of the track George |
smith sped the distance in the fast dime |
~ :j04-5.
The Greensboro Steeplechase at two |
and a half miles was the other stake |
event OF the card. ; II went 10 Herbert !
:. Pratts Trumpator. with w. r. Goes |
set second and Mrs. J.. s. Won Stades |
Traditloner third. Trumpator earned |
premier honors because OF a great ride |
ny Vincent Powers. The veteran Jockey |
node him fsultlessly. and although he had |
fumpator set the pace during the last !
NILE and a half he nursed his charges
speed and enabled him to have enough !
for the final squirt.
AZ the end Bet was running much
sster. hut Powers's vigorous finish en-
ao!ed Trumpator to remain In front until |
ne passed the Judges the victor by q
head
Mr., Pratt saw the contest and was as
as a schoolboy when his
aolors flashed home In front. He wit
messed the contest from the roof of the
iinerS' stand I'm the fndeid and "rooted"