New-York tribune., 1919-08-09
Handicap Goes
To N atllralist
BY Few Inches
Widener Gelding Barely
Noses Out Star Master
Odds-On Choice Defeated
By w. !. Macbeth

SARATOGA, Aug. S.-Joseph T.
Wldcner's Naturalist won the Mechan-
icsville Handicap at one mile from a
field of seven high class thoroughbreds
of various ages here to-day in the re-
markablc time of .3S Is. A. X. Ma
comber's Star Master was beaten out
by the scanticst OF scant noses in tn ;
most thrilling finish Of the day. Com
mander j. X. J.. Kcss's War Pennant
was good third.
Naturalist, a five year, old geldng
ran one of the most creditablc races OF
has honorable career to win this Feat
ure of a crowded though somewhat
ordinary racing card. lie was bur
dened with the heavy impost Of 1870
pounds, but carried it like feather
over the trcaclerous track, which was
still a couple OF seconds slow, and
stood terrific drive through the last
furlong as only a fine thoroughbred
can. Considering the condition of the
track Naturalist's performance was one
Of record pretension.
Fairbrother, who had the mount on
the Widener standby, raced out quick
ly to the lead in the dash out of the
chute. He was closely pressed BY the
hve-y -year-old Star Master and the five
year-old Bally. Star Master and Baly
ran Tapped all down the backstretch
without apparent advantage, the three
year-old War Pcnnant being clearly
outrun the first half mile.
Naturalist, length to the good, held
his advantage all the way round the
far bend. but on tho circle sande moved
UP with War Pennant and got into the
thick OF four corncred battle. Fair
brother took the shortest route home
but when he Strengthened for the long
run through the stretch Star Master
and War Pennant were both right on
him. War Pennant broke first under
the terrific pace and his earlier effort
and turned the argument over To Nat
uralist and Star Master
Race Stride for Stride
Through the last eighth it was as
pretty duel as one could wish to see.
These two game thoroughbreds were
racing stride for stride. Naturalist
was only in front by inches now, and
both Fairbrother and Robinson were
plying the whip with might and main.
Try as he would Star Master could not
make up an inch of the disadvantage,
and it was only an inch or so that
separated the two at the end.
The fifth race. at mile and a six
tecnth, added one more surprise to q
long standing list. Celto set the pace
all the way and beat out the imported
Walnut Hall by a nod. Walnut Hall
was a 2 to 3 favorite, while as good
as 10 to l could be had for Celtic
The fact that Vida had the mount
did not tend to attract any play to
the winner.
Boyle. who rode Walnut Hall, did
appear to wait just bit too long be
fore making his run, but it is possible
the track was not to the liking of the
favorite. This gcldng likes lightning
fast course. Vida did himself proud
at the finish. He actually helped his
mount, but the fact did not magnify
Boyle's horsemanship CT judgment in
comparison.
The sixth race, which was only half
of what it was originally intended to
be, was Won by T. P. Thornes I'M
ported -year-old chestnut colt Ever
gay Grayssian, a. H. Diazs colt, was
second and Gloria France third. The
last mentioned, which was ridden by
Butwell, was intended as the medium
OF big coup, but something went
wrong. This race was somewhat peculiar
looking. Head Over Heels, which