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HERMENCIAS GOOD RACK. One of the closest and most exciting finishes of the season took place at Harlem yesterday when Hermencia, Artena and Argregor went under the wire in the fonrth race noses apart. It was a free handicap purse of 00 for three-year-olds and upward at 1 1-8 miles. Argregor, on his known liking for a fast track and his high class, was made an even money favorite, while as good as 5 to 1 could be had against Hermencia. To an excellent start Artena soon took a commanding lead with Star Cotton second and Geyser third. While going down the backstretch Hermencia and Argregor moved up fast displacing Star Cotton and Geyser for second and third positions. Artena continued easily in the lead until entering the last sixteenth where Argregor moved up fast. It appeared along in here to be a struggle between these two, but when a hundred yards out Hermencia came with a well timed rush, the three fighting it out desperately to the wire. Artena hung for a moment after passing the last sixteenth and then rallied stoutly. Argregor was wedged in between Artena and Hermencia in the closing strides and Ranch was unable to do "him justice. Orontas moved, up fast just before turning for home, but tired palpably in the last eighth. Star Cotton and Geyser showed speed for seven furlongs. The days opener went to LEtrenne against -whose chances as good as 7 to 1 could be had. Off fourth, she at once went to the front and opening up a comfortable lead held it until in the last eighth, where Carl Eahler moved up fast and challenged her. It appeared for a moment as if LEtrenne was beaten, but in the closing strides Carl Kahler tired also, allowing her to pass under the wire a neck in front, with Gonfalon an indifferent third. Carl Kahler showed big improvement and should give a good account of himself from now on over a fast track. Duelist and Andes showed some early speed. Miss Manners took the second race mainly through the clover jockeyship of Coburn, who rode a splendid finish and fairly threw her under the wire. Jackfull showed a keen turn of speed and appeared the winner in the last sixteenth, but began to tire in the closing strides, where Miss Manners came with a rush, beating him by a head, with Vestia a lapped-on third. The last named made up much ground in the last quarter and finished the strongest of the first three. Lampoon was always outrun. She appears to run to her best form on a soft or a muddy track. Lady Matchless showed early speed, but ran far below expectations. That Ernest Parham runs to his best form on a fast track was evidenced by his good showing in the third race, a dash of one mile for three-year-olds and upward. Chorus Boy led for seven furlongs, where Ernest Parham, which had been lying second after the first half had been run, came strongly, and, passing him with ease, won by a length from Bab, wkich beat Chorus Boy two for aecond place. Bab appeared to have a winning chance just after turninginto the last quarter, but tired perceptibly when the pinch came. Matin Bell was pinehed and bumped out of position at the first turn, where a great deal of jostling occurred, Henry of Trastamare being thrown almost to his knees. Lady Jocelyn was much the best of a mediocre field of two-year-olds that faced the barrier in the fifth race. Off none too well, she was next to last by the time the first quarter had been run. After that point had been passed, however, she began to pick up the field fast and fairly ran past horses in the last sixteenth, winning easily by two lengths from Maolis, which beat Penance a head on the post for second place. Penance finished fast and would have been second in another stride. Maolis rwas tiring fast at the end. Corsica and Parlor Maid showed early speed. The finale went to John McGurk, which finished five lengths before Leo Newell, he two and a half before G. W. W. Leo Newell appeared as if he were going to spreadeagle the field when going down the backstretch, but came back to it when turning for home where he swung wide. He tired so rapidly in the last sixteenth that he began to swerve badly. Cougar ran well for a mile. A large crowd was present and enjoyed an excellent days sport. The track was good and will be at its best today in case no rain falls.
