Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-17

a few racing elite to dampen the spirit of the
terrible bandit who in time destined to
become known far and wide as 1.-The pride Of
Maryland and the District of Columbia" For
three years, or since the day Enos C. Keys,
breeder and huntsman and brother of Frank
Keys, purchased him from Mars Cassidy and
Bob Hewlett after winning a race at Arlington,
poor old McFonso had done all in his power 10
live down his past and lead an honorable life.
On scores OF occasions he had made 1t posi-
BILE for the Keys boys, Frank, Enie, Ed and
Harry; OF their cousins, the Rays, to crown
sweetheart queen of love and beauty at various
jousting matches held in the State. His proves
at these entertainments, together with his rep
utation as a fast and dangerous hurdler, soon
spread over into Virginia and for years no
racer in either Of the sister Commonwealth
was feared more at county fairs and horse
shows than he
Nor was the big chestnut the least bit of a
Stacker or prone to be uppish. When not rae
ing or jousting or carrying ONE of the Keys
Rays contingent on a chase for the elusive fox,
as like as not he would be drawing dear old
MA" Keys in blackboard or buggy over the
rolling hills of Montgomery County or doing
other chores at her big farm, Edgewood, in
Linden.
So, this memorable afternoon when he
galloped home to win at such exceptionally long
odds, not only a goodly part of Maryland, but
all surrounding country, was generously repre-
sented to cheer him to victory.
THERE was only a short delay on the post,
when the ever-eficient Cassidy caught the
eight in line and sent them on their way with
the favorite, julius Caesar, out in 'front.' closely
followed by McFonso, Phoebus and Bob White
and the others strung out. Johnny Grimes a
little ebony hued rider. also a product of the
Old Line State, had the leg up the equine
farmland, and binoculars weren't needed to
see that he had been instructed to play wait
ing game-to let the leaders fight it out among
themselves and hold his mount in readiness to
cut loose the moment they tired
That Johnny obeyed orders can be Youched
for by all who him take the first hurdle
So strenuous were his strong-armed methods, in
fact, that not few present would willingly
have laid odds that McFonso would be strangled
before the finish was reached
Passing the judges the first time around and
for nearly a mile, Julius Caesar maintained his
lead, with the rest of the field fairly well
punched. The Lost Chord, Bob White and Nc
Fonso, in the order named hung doggedly to
the heels OF the pacemaker, with all jumping
nicely. The pace was growing faster and faster
as each pole was passed. and just as the mile
flag was reached Jockey Barry shot The Lost
Chord ahead OF Julius Caesar like the latter
was tied.
A cry of dismay went up from the cohorts
Unconditional Grimes sit like stole on their
idol not knowing, perhaps, that Johnny was
riding strictly to orders. All the way up the
backstretch the second time around the far
turn past the mile pole, the mie-and- an
eighth pole, the mile quarter pole, the
two leaders went unchallenged. It was little
more than a quarter of a mile to the finish and
two broad gaps of daylight separated The Lost
Chord and Julius Caesar from their pursuers.
with the hackers of both front horses cheering
fl1EVp1 tIln al1r 1Sv,1y
one of the two would win.
Then all of sudden, Shrill voice rose above
the clamor. Look at McFonso comet" shouted
Buck Wilburn, valet in chief to the Montgom-
eEy County crack informing his associates that
the psychological moment had arrived.
Into the stretch and over the last jump came
The Lost Chord and julius Caesar almost to-
gether, with the oncoming McFonso overtaking
the pair at every stride. Realizing that Johnny
Grimes had given him his head at last, the
courageous chestnut reused With his
long, sinewy neck stretched out his eyes blaz-
ing with the fire of hattie semblance of