The New York herald., 1921-07-17
Renowned Three Year-Old Colt
Is Hard Pressed to Beat
Sporting Blood.
LITTLE CHIEF A WINNER
Leads Home Big Field of Ju-
veniles in The Whirl-Ray
Jay Runs Good Race.
By HENRY v. KING.


mark. His renowned three-year-old
colt Grey Lag won the Empire City
Derby and his Little Chief beat a big
field of juveniles in the Whirl Stakes.
Both colts won handily, but not
easily. Little Chief did not take COM
mand until fifty yards from the judges.
Then he increased his lead with every
bound and took down the major por-
tion of the $500 purse by length
and a half Frank Farrell's Nancy f.
finished second and Harry Payne
Whitney's Penitent was third.
Grey Lag was forced to do his best
to beat Arnold Rothsteins Sporting
Blood by three parts of length in the
Derby.
AS in all OF his previous races Grey
Lag showed that he is a good game
colt, but he showed yesterday that he
is not in a class with Man o. War.
To beat Sporting Blood Fator was
compelled TO whip him hard and often.
Tho Derby was the feature Four
colts, which were named over night,
went to the post. and to see it run one
of the largest crowds that ever saw a
thoroughbred contest in Westchester
county visited the track The spectators
ooverflowed the stands. club and lawns
and extended for almost a quarter of
mile up the homestretch
Grey Lag and knotbe. as a stable
mate were prohibitive favorites at to 4.
with Sporting Blood second choice and
Copper Demon the outsider. Mars Cas-
sidy sent the quartet away aligned and
in motion. but before the first furlong
rad been covered Knobbie was romping
along by himself at the head of the
held with Sporting Blood second. Grey
Lag third and Copper Demon bringing
up the rear.
knobbfe Fnlters.
Round the turn something out Of the
ordinary happened to Knobbie He quit
to almost a walk AS he faltered
Mooney drove Copper Demon up next
the rail and took command. In front
Copper Demon stepped along at a fast
pace and led by three lengths until the
middle Of the bend There Fator began
to drive Grey Lag. and the Sinclair colt
responded eemely and went 10 the front.
Entering the omestretch he seemed like
an easy winner. But the race was not
over yet Sporting Blood began to
charge when Strengthened out for home
and at the final furlong pole was at Grey
Isgs heels.
Then Fator began to ply the whip.
He laid the rawhide on with force and
Under its sting Grey Lag bounded for
ward, and fighting courageously. out
ran ed Sporting Blood and at the end
vas going away. Sporting Blood had no
difficulty taking tho second end of the
purse. for both Knobbie and Copper
Demon quit end were beaten off.
Knobbe's race was disgraceful. AL
though Sam Hildreth declared to win
with him he was never a contender; and
before three-quarters OF mile had been
covered Buddy Ensor pulled him up
and he didn't reach the judges until
the other contestants were on their way
back 10 the scales So bad was his race
that a majority of racegoers believed
ne had broken down and flocked around
the rail after the contest TO inspect
him No explanation OF his bad race
was announced and when the colt pulled
up he was apparently sound a bell
From a time standpoint the Derby
was bad. The track was bad but not
heavy. and II took Grey Lag 2:o7 1-5
70 cover the one mile and quarter over
a heavy track.
When Grey Lag returned 70 the scales
81 the immortal McChesney. the long.
lean slayer Of generation ago. HID
reth had McChesney, but he will not
admit that that renowned horse was as
good as Grey Lag.
Classy Field of Youngsters.
Thirteen royalty bred youngsters went
forth 10 battle for the $500 whirl
purse. with the Sinclair pair. Little
II sl-
to 5. After a long and patient wait
with the uncomfortable youngsters the
barrier went up with the entire field
on a straight line Nancy F.. which is
known for her great burst Of speed.
stepped 10 the front In the first few
jumps and before the sixteenth pole was
reached she was stepping along by her
self two lengths in front and running
easily. with Little Chief second and
Kai-SanR third. Rounding the turn
Nancy F. Increased her lead 70 four
lengths and entered the homestretch still
running smoothly and strong Fator on
Little chief apparently believed Nancy
T. would come back 10 him and was
making little effort TO catch her. But
Nancy r had more stamin. than usual
A furlonE from home Fator began II
ride Little chief hard and such a move
was necessary. Nancy r was two lengths
In front and although faltering, was
struggling on.
Fator apparently realized his danger
OF defeat at this point and sat down
and rode his mightiest Foot by foo,
he guided his mount 20 the leader and
seventy yards from the finish he had
Little Chiefs nose In front Then he
rode HIS mount out and gained ground
until at the end Little Chief was handy
winner.
Little CHIEF deserved his victory but
he wasn't the best horse in the race
A. 3. spreckles's Runstar ran as Il
much the best He was away from thu
barrier last. met with repeated inter.
ference but came with rush throu gr
the stretch and finished like a vounc
Man o. War At the end he was fourth
and running almost twice as fast as an,
Of his opponents In few more stride,
he would have been third. and undoubt
edly would have won II he had hat
natter racing luck
20 impressive was Runstar's race tha
veteran horsemen proclaimed him IN,
best youngster that has 20 far beer
shown this season
Harry Sinclair scratched ais thre
entries-Domirique krewer and Lucul
lite-in the November Handlca'
and made tho affair an omen one
Charles A Stoneham's sturdy little ba'
~~i' Dry Moon was made the favorite