New-York tribune., 1919-09-05
Seven Sprinters
Bow to Speed
Of Naturalist
Widener Celding Carries
l4O Pounds and Out
games Billy Kelly
By W. !. Macbeth

- T.. W ldener's 1ive-yearold brown
gelding Naturalist won the Autumn
High Weight Handicap for all ages,
the feature event of yesterdays racing
programme at Belmont Park. In one
OF the most thrilling finishes that have
been seen at the present meeting and
under wonderful ride by Jockey
Charlie Fairbrother the fine old cam
palgner proved his right TO the cham
pIonshlp among the older divisions OF
the thoroughbreds by beating Com
mander j. X. l.. Ross's great three
year-old gelding, Billy Kelly, by
head on the post.
Naturalist raced the six furlongs
over the straight course under the
heavy lmpost of 140 pounds in tfe very
creditable time of In 3-5. for the
track was still rather heavy from the
recent rains.
That Naturalist is one of the very
greatest of the older horses in train
this season. Indeed he had shown him
self remarkable horse by beating the
best OF his company under any and all
conditions after conceding them
weight But none Of his races was
more impressive than that in the
Autumn lightweight. as no race horse
OF questionable courage could have
accomplished the overthrow of Billy
Kelly.
The performance of Naturalist is all
the more worthy when it is re-
membered that in his last race at Sara
toga he was severely cut down. At the
time it was announced that he would
be out of training a long spell, possibly
until very late in the fall
Seven high class thoroughbreds faced
the starter in the feature event, but it
was an argument between Naturalist
and Billy Kelly from first to last. En-
filade and Old Rosebud behaved so
badly at the post that they called for
special handling on the part OF the as
sistant starters. After some five
minutes Mars Cassidy finally got the
field away in good alignment Peter
Piper had the early foot, and in the
first furlong drew away to the lead.
but Billy Kelly and Entiade both were
pressing him closely at this stage
Fairbrother was fourth with Natural
ist we'll in hand
lengers to put away the early pace
maker and Sande decided it was time to
strike with Billy Kelly. He let the three
year-old gelding down and bounded
away from The others as if they had
been shot But Fairbrother wasn't
fooled for the minute. Like a thunder
bolt Naturalist came from behind until
at the eight pole his hand was at Kel-
lys saddle girths. 1t was drive the
rest of the way and a great un-
certainty even to the last jump.
Almost throughout that furlong the
game thorough hreds fought nose to
u:
that Naturalist finally got up to look
into Kelly's eye Through the last
sixteenth Billy Kelly bore bat slightly
under Sande's vigorous ride. which oc-
currence may have been responsible for
his defeat in the end.
The victory of Naturalist was a pop
ular one, for he was the favorte at
to s. and he took the measure OF the
second choice. Entiladc, which finished
third, was beaten off by four lengths
The Ronkonkoma Handicap, at a mile
and sixteenth, developed one OF the
real surprises Of the week. when Andrew
by {. P. Winfrey's Ivry. The winner
was a fine investment paying IS to |.
R. t. Wilson's Thistledon finished
third, five lengths behind Recount
The upset was partly the fault of
Fator, who allowed Recount TO run
wide at the turn into the stretch.
Little Vida. with Ivry, which appeared
beaten off at the time, came through
on the rail, saving many lengths. and
finally nailed Recount at the furlong
pole From there home Vida outrode
Fator. while Ivry outgamed Recount.
Lucius, which proved y bum invest
ment Wednesday. came right back and
won the second heat at mile 1t was
just gallop Tor him. Captain Hodge
was second and Gleipner third Lucius
won, pulled up. by q good six lengths.
r. I. Wilson. jr.'s, Red Domino,
favorite of the fifth race at five fur
longs straight, finally broke his maiden
by outgaming Starry Belle in the la.
sixteenth The others we're beaten
away off. Comique, a supposedly good
thing. showed sped, but quit and
finished last
1t was great day for the talent. as
tive favorites won, lvry being the only
exception of the afternoon. Com
mander j. X. L. Ross Constancv. at
TO !, galloped off with the opening dash
at five turlongs. His War Marvel won
the last heat at SIX furlongs, standing
a drive gamely TO frustrate the cnalr
ienge Of War Drive. Both the Ros4
n n /