Sport: A Shame

Epinard, prize package of French horseflesh, cantered to the post of the Aqueduct (L. I.) racecourse, stood patient while five of the fleetest steeds in the U. S. milled about beside him. They were to run a mile and see who finished first. Finally aligned, the six were signaled “Go!”

Off they bolted, Major August Belmont’s Ladkin on the rail, then Epinard, then Wise Counsellor (Epinard’s conqueror at Belmont Park on Labor Day), then Zev, Little Chief, My Own. Sweeping the turn, streaking down the backstretch, Epinard’s chestnut head showed the way. Inch by inch Wise Counsellor moved up—abreast, ahead. Came Ladkin farther out, little by little; then he too was ahead. On the turn Epinard was seen to slow up, veer right, flatten out again in a dash for the outside after losing four lengths. Jockey Haynes had feared a “pocketing” but his cautionwas costly. Racing through the home stretch Epinard was one heart-breaking stride short of Ladkin at.the finish.

Major August Belmont, Ladkin’s owner, was in receipt of $28,750—the purse for International Special No. 2. Gratified, said Major Belmont; “What can a man say ? What can a man say who has just won so great a triumph?” Said Pierre Wertheimer, owner of Epinard: “I believe my horse should have won the race.”Said Jockey Haynes, whose overcautious riding turfmen blamed for the French stallion’s second U. S. defeat: “It was a shame.”