New-York tribune., 1920-05-25


years Metropolitan Handicap was a
keen disappointment to the 10 900 turf
followers who attended. OF the eight
originally named overnight to contest
the classic no fewer than five were
scratched.
Hildreth withdrew Purchase, which
Is reported to have gone lame Sunday,
and Mad Halter. Commander j. K. L.
Ross decided not to start Billy Kelly;
A. K Macomber's Star Master was not
allowed to accept the issue, while Mr..
Whitney decided to rest his cause
with Wildair and kept Dr. Clark in the
stable. 1t was probably because of the
fine opportunity presented for q crack
st third money that Mr.. Lofts On
Watch was added at the last moment.
Certainly the field was disappointing,
was well known that Wildair was an
able representative of the light blue
silks Of Harry Payne Whitney. On
Watch, which finished third in the
Kentucky Derby, had been undepend-
able throughout the spring. OF the
Hildreth pair Thunderclap alone had
started and he only once at Jamaica,
when he appeared very high in weight
and plainly short.
Fancy Hildreth Pair
With the Hildreth pair coupled, of
course, it was practically three horse
race. Though Corn Tassel was even
fatter than Thunderclap-he looked the
part and acted it, too-the public
seemed very set in its fancy for the
Hildreth entry and backed it judgment
SO spiritedly that Whitney and Hill
dreth were even favorites at post time.
I i. L
the safest investment of the Eastern
season. He had TO be much the best to
win, for he had to overcome all the
racing obstacles that presented them
selves in the trial. Mars Cassidy got
the four off in perfect alignment and
for the first fifty yards NO one could
distinguish any advantage.
Thunderclap, however, had the early
foot and eventually crowded his muzzle
in front of Corn Tassel, which had the
rail. Wildair was either pinched off
by On Watch, which was on the out
side, or Ambrose decided to lay off
q furlong Ambrose took up his mount
and dropped a length in behind the
other well-bunched three.
Rounding the first turn Ambrose set
down Wildair and tried to work
through on the inside But he soon
found himself in tight pocket and had
to take up again. Then he attempted
TO get in between Corn Tassel and
Thunderclap, which were still racing
heads apart. He got into another. Jam
and had to wait until the stretch turn
to get out of tight quarters. He was
finally able to squeeze to the outside
OF Thunderclap, when On Watch found
the pace too fast and dropped back
Jockeys Hook Up in Duel
Just before the home turn Wildair
got within striking distance of Thun-
dsrclap and Ambrose and Fator hooked
up IN the duel that was to decide the
stake race. Thunderclap went bit
VIDE at the turn, carrying Wildair
with him. This gave Corn Tassel his
great chance--a chance to save a couple
OF lengths by skimming the rail But
Corn Iassel was through. He refused
absolutely to respond to Runners
urging and dropped back quickly, back
oenlnd the badly beaten On Watch.
1t didn't take Wildair long to dis
pose of Thunderclap once he was
Strengthened for home Ambrose went
ABOUT his work coolly, confidently, COL
lectedly Even in running Thunderclap
Gown and into the ground the boy
kept Wlldair under restraint. But foot
oy foot ne crept up, slowly, surely,
IN manner TO take the gimp out of
hi!dreth's only remaining hope.
AZ the furlong pole WiIdair was on
even terms with the early pacemaker.
lew bounds and he was drawing