The Washington herald., 1922-04-23
WONDERFUL DRIVE
in STRETCH GIVES
WIN TO ROSS ENTRY
King of Stake Horses
Comedies Weight and
Loses by a Nose.
FAVORITES IN FRONT
Enchantment Equals Track
Record by Stepping Four
Furlongs in 0;47 Flat.
By HAWTHORNE,

BY HAWTHORNE,
HAVRE DE GRACE. Nd. April
22.-That element so Familiarity
known to followers of thorough
bred competition as racing luck
entered into and played a promi-
nent part in the running of the
Philadelphia Handicap. at Havre
de Grace this afternoon. In one of
the most bitterly contested and
gruelling stretch drives imaginable.
one which brought the large crowd
to its feet in a wild frenzy of
cheering, Comdr. ]. K. L. Ross
Boniface was returned the winner
over Willis Sharpe Kilmer's Ex-
Termination
Although forced to bow to defeat
by the narrow margin of a nose.
Americas greatest distance per-
former. added to his already large
host of friends by the courageous
manner in which he almost over
came an impossible disadvantage
he suffered when Jockey Arthur
Johpson allowed him to become
pocketed at the three-quarter pole.
Asked to concede Jumps Of
poundage to every other entrant
in the feature, the aged cam
paigner and hero of more than a
dozen of Americas greatest stake
events, dispelled any doubt which
may have existed as to whether
he was still the Exterminator of
1920 and 1921. That Exterminator
Is still the Exterminator of old,
was proven beyond a question of
doubt
Six Go to Post.
Allotted equal weights and given
an even break in the running, Elk
terminator would undoubtedly have
been returned the victor. Even
with his brilliant score. Boniface,
likewise. suffered repeated early
interference, but not to the extent
as to materially hamper his
chances like that which fell to Elk
terminator.
Ten had been named over night
to face the barrier, but when
scratch time came four declined the
issue. That the KlImer entry's
friends are still loyal and legion
was horne out by the fact that he
went to the post an odds-on-fsvor-
ite
The start was delayed two min
utes through fractions behavior
by Wellhnder. the Miller candi-
date repeatedly breaking up per-
feet ~alignments just as the bar
rier was to be sprung. After re-
peated trials Starter Milton got
them Strengthened out and as the
webbing rose Wellfinder was the
first to show on top.
Passing the half-mile pole, Bunga
Buck had forged to the front, with
Boniface in closest pursuit and
EXterminator racing almost on a
par with the Ross silk bearer
BunEa Buck cracked under the
EruellinG pace and gave way to
Boniface, while johnson still held
Exterminator on the pole in back
OF the two leaders.
POcketed at Three-Quarter..
AS they neared the three-quarter
upright. johnson moved up with
Exterminator. only to find himself
pocketed and forced to take up,
losing considerable ground I'm
der punishment the aged cam
paigner when once clear. came
again, slipping through on the in
side rail-. 1t was this move that
probably cost the KiImer starter
the race.
In few strides Exterminator had
overhauled Bunga Buck and then
began the herculean task of catch
ing the Ross silk bearer With the
large crowd wildly cheering, Ex-
Termination gained on the leader, and
as they passed the eighth pole their
heads were almost nodding in
unison.
johnson seemed to realize that II
he could only get his mounts head
once in front victory would be
theirs. and the same realization
must have been conveyed to Turner
and Boniface. BOniface refused to
falter and try as he might Ex-
Termination was unable to stick his
nose out in front.
As they Numbered by the judges
stand the verdict was so close that
many viewing the finish from a
slight angle thought for a moment
that ENterminator had won. As the
winner and runner-up returned to
the unsaddling ring both were ac-
corded a noisy ovation by the
crowd.
Upset In Climax Handicap.
The secondary feature Of the
program. the Climax Handicap, saw
one Of the few upsets of the day.
Harry Payne Whitney's Broomster
had been made the favOrite over a
better than average band Of Swear.
olds.- but was forced to inhale the
dust from Z. +. Whitney,s Main
mast. J. X. L. Ross Hildur was
the one to place.
Exceptional time was made in
practically every event and one
track record was equalIed. Harry
Payne Whitney's 2-year-old En-
chantmcnt not only earned his sec
ond pair OF brackets in as many
starts. but stepped the four-furlong
route in Al fiat. equallinE the rec