New-York tribune., 1918-06-25

Cudgel, somewhat discreditcd in
form Though not, apparently, in pub
lie affection), showed that stamina and
heart and coura.,e which belong only
to the great. He was there when the
real test came; there through the pun
ishing test of the last, cruel furlong OF
heart breaking effort. He won because
he outgamed and outstayed Andrew
Miller's game Roamer, than which no
thoroughbred ever possessed greater
racing heart. Cudgel beat Roamer by
more than length. Four lengths fur
sensational George Smith, horse that
was almost equally far ahead of
Hollister, which had been one to dis
credit Cudgel in one Of his recent local
disappointing appearances in the East.
Cudgel's victory in yesterdays re-
newal Of the Brooklyn Handicap, one
Of the most esteemed and venerated
classics Of the American turf, will go
down in history bright chapter OF the
folklore of the thoroughbred. He
proved himself good, game horse ev-
no more so than by the manner in
which he fought Roamer to q stanostill
through that arduous stretch run, ev-
cry ward of which had its thrill fer the
twenty-odd thousand horse lovers
thrills which left one and all nerve
torn and limp as the game thorough
breds flashed past the judges.
The largest and certainly the most
nronouncedly cultured crowd OF the
season, packing the new clubhouse,
tremendous grandstand and the lawns
raved itself half mad in the three fur
long finish down Aqueduct's remark
ably long stretch. There was action
every second. There wasn't gutter
among the field. AS this Strengthened
out for the, long run home, so even had
been the competition through the first
mile. every one who had backed senti-
ment with coin of the realm had some
sort of show for his judgment.
Cudgel Royalty Cheered
But Cudgel was the favorite, and SO
TO him was accorded an ovation due his
merit No Brooklyn Handicap victory
ever had been more popular. The dull
huzzahs that doomed above the treble
supplcations of "Come on you
Cudgel!" swelled into an ocean roar Of
approval as Lyke guided his leg-weary
steed through the final bound to fame
and victory.
The ovation lasted in one continuous
mum the several minutes required to
rein in the hard-driven mounts, parade
them back to the judges, unsaddle and
weigh in the jockeys. Little l.. Lyke, a
rider quite as popular locally as the
pompous bay colt he bestrode, shared
equally with his charger the glory of
the moment. And the mad hero wor-
ship was equally merited by him. Lyke
seems the one horseman who best
knows how to make the mighty Cudgel
rise to the best and greatest of his
iron frame. He had ridden a race to
the acme of perfection; his exhibition
was a masterpiece of the art Of horse
manship.
Andrew Miller's Roamer, the aged
gelding, hero of many a hard-fought
field. was quite entitled to that. re-
flected glory of failure in face of the
heartiest effort. Roamer gave of his
best, but age must be served by youth
1t was probably due to the great heart
and speed of Roamer that the finish
developed its never to be forgotten
thrills-that the time, i 80 Is, was the
third fastest for the classic.
Starter Mars Cassidy got the field of
eight away to as pretty break as had
ever been seen in any turf trial. They
flashed from behind the light screen
perfect alignment and all running in
evident rhythm. AS they raced down
the chute to the main track, directly in
front Of the densely packed stands. II
was seen that Westy Hogan wat
slightly in front of Roamer, hare
pressed In turn by H. P. Whitney'e addet
and ancient Borrow, Hollister, Cudge
to begin, was we'll up within styikini
distance and moving easily unde
wraps. Hendrie trailed the field.
Schuttinger, with Roamer, then wen
after Westy Hogan and in the mex
quarter mile raced out two lengths i,
front Of him. Hollister, length be
hind Westy. was fighting head to hea,
with Borrow. Lyke had made no NOV,
with Cudgel,. waiting for the lonl
stretch. In this order the field swep
around the first turn. broadside on t,
the anxious onlookers, then circlet
round toward the stretch and it's thre,
furlongs of potent possibilities.
1t did seem as II little Kelsey Nigh
have handled George Smith more skill
fully on the long run around the horse
shoe. At the first turn he decided t.
improve his position and moved vi
resolutely. But he hesitated on goinl
through an opening that presented it
self, pulled up again and waited for tn,
stretch. The hesitation cost groun,
that never was to be made up in tn,
race through the final straight.
Lyke Begins to Ride
Lyke laid off the pace and permitted
Roamer, Borrow and Westy Hogan tt
fight it out until he had a chance t.
swing Cudgel clear for the proverbia
dash through the stretch that ever,
one expected from the favorite. Ther
he began his ride. Borrow, it wa.
seen, was through by this time, West,
Hogan's chase after Roamer had left
UA n m ~