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MUDDY TRACK RACING. Wind, mud or rain seems to be no deterrent whatever to Chicago race-goers on Saturdays or holidays. Yesterday Hawthorne entertained an enormous crowd. Despite the fact that tbe track proper was ankle deep in sticky mud and that the steeplechase course was a quagmire, tho big crowd seemed to thoroughly enjoy the Bport. There were three hair-raising finishes, and taking everything into consideration the racing was good. A handicap at one mile and a steeplechase over the short course were the principal racing features and both events were pleasing to look at. Out of the mile handicap came a rousing finish that set the crowd astir. There were but five starters but so evenly had Secretary Kuhl distributed the weights that each one seemed to have a chance and consequently the betting on it was fast. Branch closed favorite at 9 to 5, Jolly Roger was 3 to 1, Boney Boy 3 to 1, and Prince Blazes 4 to 1. Carl C. was the outsider at 15 to 1. Starter Dwyer sent the field away at the first attempt with Jolly Roer in front, Prince Blazes second and Branch third. Boney Boy broke last but went to the front on the first turn and entering the backstretch he was a length in the lead. Passing the half mile ground Boney Boy still held his advantage, Branch being second, Jolly Roger third and Prince Blazes last. This order prevailed to the stretch turn where Boney Boy gave it up and Branch shot to the front. Vitatoe had the latter well in hand and seemed to be winning as he pleased. Then the boy got careless and let Branch loaf. All of a sudden Prince Blazes came up on the inside like a shot out of a gun, and before Vitatoe came out of his trance tbe race was over and Prince Blazes number was hung out. This seemed to be a very popular victory and the crowd congratulated itself vociferously. The steeplechase was a two horse affair devoid of interest but for the great gamenesa that Jack Hayes displayed, He carried top weight, was beautifully ridden and wore down Colonel Weightmana big lead at the end with bulldog gameness. The horses slipped and splashed about throughout and the bost that could be said of the race waB that it was a farce. Samovar, Dal Paso II. and Molo furnished a rattling finish in the fourth race, and were so close together that only the judges could separate them at the wire. Tbe trio got on about even terms at the eighth post, and from there to the wire had it hammer and tongs. Samovar, strongly ridden by Everett, proved the lucky one and got tbe verdict by a no3e from Del Paso II. He" was a short head in front of Molo, Caviar proved to be the best mudder of the two-year-olds in the first event, and after a little shaking up at the head of the stretch eventually won easily from Etta. Princess Thyra, the favorite, finished last but one. Aftor a long, hard drive the entire length of the stretch Teutons outstayed Uhler in the sec-i ond raco and won by a head.. The sixth was an easy thing for Evelyn Byrd, who seems to be a crackerjack in tho mud. She . lay in bohind Brightie S. to the stretch and then galloped over her as thoughshe were tied, i Jockandy flutter has b3on suspended for getting- left at the post with Uhler- last Wednesday, s Grimes was set down for a week for thinking the start in the last race was not a go, and pulling Algareta up. Jockey Nutt had some words with the clerk of the scales. This cost him 00 and a suspen- sion. Walter Gum yesterday purchased that good three-year-old DeeriDg from "Bob" Tucker for ,800.
