New-York tribune., 1921-06-18

can turf fame.
Grey Lag Numbered down through
the long stretch, swept by a heavy
arizxIe. to the finish line in the re-
markable time of 1:49 AS. The stout
hearted three-year- had raced the
older horses-John p. Grier, Exter-
rinator, Eternal, Audacious, Mad
Halter, and all the others-drunk and
di5zv through the first mile. He closed
like Man O. War after strengthening
for the r,In home and had plenty left
al the end.
Nearly two lengths behind Grey Lag
came Harry Payne Whitney's four
year-old, John P. Grier. which gave
Man O. War the race of that great
horses life in the Dwyer Stakes of
1920. Gxier was a like distance ahead
OF honest old Exterminator, the crack
Kilmer gelding. Leonardo II. was
fourth.
Carries Heavy Weight
Grey Lag proved his right to go
down IN history at the head of the
list OF these crack three-year-olds
which won Brooklyn Han6icaps of the
past, for he not only carried greater
weight than any of his predecessors
but showed greater speed through the
long route. Grey Lag raced the mile
aad an eighth in 1:49 4-5, which was
just three-ffths of second slower
than Man O. Wars track record for the
distance, which was worlds record
up 10 the time Goaler raced in 1:49
fat at Belmont Park on Friday after
noon, June 10.
Though yesterdays was the thirty
third running Of this priced classic,
Grey Lag was the sixth three-year-old
TO turn the supposedly impossible trick
of outstepping the cracks of the older
divisions at the distance. And Grey
Lag, too, was shouldering greater
handicap than his predecessors for the
fve-pound penalty that accrued to him
for his brilliant victory in the Belmont
at mile and three furlongs gave him
heavier impost than any previous
three-year-old winner of the Brooklyn.
J. R. heene's Conroy in 1901 and the
Westbury Stables Irish Lad in 1903
each toted 102 pounds. Mr.. keene's
Superman carried only ninety mine
pounds in 1907 August Belmont S
Friar Rock, which Sam Hildreth sad
died, by the way, won in 1916 under a
burden of 108 pounds. J. ". McClel-
lands Eternal, which was one Of yes
terday's fine field, scored in the 1919
Brooklyn Handicap with los pounds
weight
$4,000 Witness Classic
Despite distressing weather condi-
tons yesterdays Brooklyn Handicap
proved one OF the greatest races seen
in the East in the last ten years and
one Of the very best in the history of
the classic. It was certainly a
thoroughbred contest worthy the tradi-
ton Of the event, and one which would
have graced any program ever con-
ceiyed.
The popularity of Aqueduct was
dttingly attested by the presence of
$4,000 or more patrons who braved a.
very wet and stormy afternoon to be
in at the big event and who cheered
themselves hoarse as the field of
eleven Cor rather those which had a
chance at the time) fought their way
through the long stretch.
OF the fourteen originally nomi-
mated only three were scratched:
Charlie Stoneham's Yellow Hand, the
Fairmont Stables Royce Roofs, and a.
S. Woodlife's Veto. There were no
less than three pairs coupled-Grey
Lag, with Mad Halter of the Rancocas
Stable; Eternal and Leonardo II. Of
the Xalapa Farm and j. S. Cosden's S
Fair, Blazes and Paul Jones. Lleven of
the very best thoroughbreds in train
ing outside the Juvenile division
paraded to the post.
It had rained heavily before the first
race was called; had rained more or
less heavily all morning TO be exact.
BY the time the featur event was in
order the rain had dwindled to q
drizzle and the drizzle to fog. Be-
fore the field was sent away, however,
1t was raining again and the air was
SO thick it was difficult to distinguish
colors across the field.
Donnacona Left at Post
The start was good for all except
George ". Lofts Donnacona. This
bad actor misbehaved at the post, was
fatfooted and refused to break at the
wcrd. Mad Halter, of the Rancocas
pair, which ruled favorite at to /,
was the first to show under the rising
barrier. But he stayed in front for
only few strides. The feet Leonardo
II. vas on top and over him in a
twlnkiing, and in an eighth had opened
lead of a couple of lengths. John P.
Grier was next to the pace, with
Audacious almost Tapped on h: =.
Eternal, Grey Lag, Mad Halter and Ex-
terinlnator made up the second fight,
and all were being rated of the pace.
approaching the far turn Mad Halter
the Kilner gelding off his stride and
cost him ten or dozen lengths clear
~ The accident probably cost Ex-
Sermlnator fine chance for victory.
The old gelding didn't find his racing
legs thereafter for nearly quarter
mile. Then he had to try to pick his
way through jam at the home turn
ana didn't get clear sailing till half
way down the stretch. Exterminator
was racing over the others at the end
ana managed to finish a good third
after his tough luck. The bump elm
mated EXterminater. But il also elm
mated Mad Halter
leonardo II, meanwhile, was cutting
oat terrific pace. Robinson evidently
Rad been told TO race the field drunk
aaf dizzy for Eternal. His stable mate
Fe>sd so we'll that even Eternal
sSnldn't keep within hailing distance
Snd the weak underpinning of Leonardo
cracked under the terrific strain. This
Mree-year-old broke down before he
So5 home and was so lame when he
pulled up it is doubtful If he will ever
pe seen under silks again. Certainly
as Will not be able to race again in a
long time.
Leonardo III Crumples
rnls strain began to tell perceptib1y
sn Leonardo II as he swung around
tae home bend into the long stretch.
aeeund that far bend John P. Grier
ppsgan TO lessen the gap that separated
nm from the pacemaker. But as Grier
S-oVee UP kator made his bid with Grey