The sun., 1919-05-18
ROYCE ROOFS WINS
THE KINGS COUNTY
Defeats Good Field, Including
Cudgel, in Feature at
Jamaica Track.
$4,000 SEE THE CONTEST
Walter j. Salmon Scores With
Eddie Rickenbacker and
Teddy Rousseau.
$4,000 SEE THE CONTEST
ny HENRY ". KING.

BY HENRY ". KING.
A. K Macomber. the California sports
man. bought Royce Roofs at auction In
the paddock of the jamaica track yes
terday afternoon for S11,500. and an
hour later the horse carried his colors to
victory in the 5000 Kings County Han
dicap. Mr.. Macomber got Royce Roofs
after n spirited bidding contest, and
when 1t was knocked down to him 1t
looked like anything but a bargain. But
when he galoped home in front of a big
fold of renowned handicap horses, in
Guiding Commander J. X. l.. Ross Cud-
gel his purchase price seemed exceed
ingiy small.
Royce Roofs is the bay gelding which
cahsed his owner, T. II. Cross and Andy
Bialely. his trainer. to be banished from
the Pimlico track. In his first start
there he didn't show as much speed as q
dray horse, but in his second attempt he
outran a big field OF championship con-
tenders, including Westy Hogan. Omar
khayyam, Boniface and Foreground
and beat them In a romp.
because of this victory half dozen
horsemen went to the sale of Mr.. Cross's
horses in quest Of him. Mr.. Macomber
was extremely anxious to get him. He
had seen him race at Pimlico and con-
sidered him one OF the best 'mudders'
In the country and an exceptionally high
class handicap horse. So he sent Chris
Fitz Gerald into the ring with instruc-
lions to bring him to his stable, ire
sPective of the price.
Mr.. Fitz Gerald was confronted with
several other bidders, who were Just as
anxious as he to get him. Acting for q
wealthy oil magnate, Jack Adler started
the ball a-rolling by bidding $4,000.
That bid seemed high. and Adler be-
lieved he was going to get the horse.
But before the aucdoneer had finished
yelling Here he goes for $4,0oow Andy
Blakely, his former -einer, said $4,000.
Then Mr. Fitz GerAst rot into action.
Adler bowed out ana eveloped into
q bidding duel between sur. MAcomber's
agent and Blakely. BY hundreds the
price arose to $1,000. At that point
Blakely had enough and Mr.. F1tz Gerald
added $500 more and took the gelding.
As soon as he got the horse Mr.. Ma
comber had his transfer registered and
announced that he was going to run him
coupled with Star Master in the Kings
County. for which he had been nomi-
mated by his former owner.
With this announcement came heavy
shower and as Royce Rools's forte Is the
mud the tip went the rounds that Mr..
Macomber's new purchase would win
But Cudgel was in the race with Johnny
LOTUS as his pilot and the tip on Royce
Roofs was not strong enough to sway a
majority of the 1906 race goers pres
emit from the great Cudgel and his fam
Gus rider, and Mr.. Macomber's pair went
to the post lukewarm second choice.
with Cudgel a hot favorite.
Enthusiastic Crowd Sees Race.
The crowd that saw the parade Of
the eight contestants for the stake was
an enthusiastic one. Rain was falling.
but II was warm and in the shelter OF
the stands and the clubhouse the throng
gathered and enthused over the prospects
of seeing a stirring contest There was
plenty OF pushing and showing by the
thousands in the stands, but all took II
good naturally.
AS Lotus guided Cudgel past the
stand at the heado OF the procession the
crowd arose as one and gave the pre-
mier rider a great ovation He touched
his cap In appreciation and then can
tered his charge to the starting post,
which was In front of the far end Of
the stand. Except for a little "herding"
by four of the contestants near the
rail there was no fractiousness at the
post and Starter Tribe sent the fold
away on its one mile and sixteenth
tourney to a good start without much
delay
AS the field ''broke" Royce Roofs was
on his toes and went away winging.
while Cudgel. which was In fifth position
at the webbing. dropped" before he
broke" and went away last
Royce Roofs on I'm Front.
Happy Buxton took no chances Of los
A. he thA xx,it
Royce Roofs. and In the run to the first
turn. piled his whip hard and often. 1t
had the desired effect and Mr.. Macomb-
er's new purchase sped around the turn
in front with the entire field at his heels
and Cudgel on the extreme outside.
When the backstretch was reached
Royce Roofs had increased his lead to
two lengths and was stepping along at n
fast and even pace. while the remainder
of the field were doing their mightiest to
catch him. None was good enough TO
even threaten him.
At the half mile pole Cudgel which
had been running in the rear. challenged.
He displayed good burst of speed and
raced into second position. That was
the best he could do. Royce Roofs was
full of running and with only ll2 pounds
on, his back stepped along at a terrific
pace. LOTUS did everything a jockey
could do 10 make his charge catch the
leader. but the old son OF Broomstick
was not equal to the task. The 132
pounds on his back was heavy burden
and at the final eighth pole he showed
signs OF distress. As he faltered,
Straight Forward, the game and con-
sistent little horse belonging to Richard
r. Wilson. Jr.. came with a rush and
made a determined bid for the lead He
quickly passed Cudgel and then went
after Royce Roofs but Mr.. Macomber's
harse had enough speed in reserve to re-
main in front 70 win by O. length and a
half
Straight Forward took the second end
or the purse half a len-th in front of
Cudgel. The race OF Straight Forward
was a brilliant one. He was slow to
leave the barrier and met with intsrfer-
snce several times. With better racing
luck he would have pressed Royce Roofs
TO desperate effort TO win Despite
the fact that the rain dulled the track
Royce Roofs ran the distance In 1:45 Us,
only two-hfths OF second behind the
track record.
Double Victory for w. j. Salmon.
Walter ]. Salmon scored a double vto-
tory, His two-year-old chestnut colt
Eddie Rickenbacher galloped or with
the Montauk Selling Stakes and his
three-year-old Teddy Rousseau scored
an easy victory in the NTH event.
BY his victory Eddie Rickenbacher
showed that he Is fair sort OF colt.
Although the contest was marred by fouI
ridirg he was much the best He won
easily by two lengths. Oleaster, belong