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LAKESIDE FIRST DAT. The racing at Lakeside yesterday opened most auspiciously, with a good card, large attendance and excellent sport. The weather was almost ideal for racing purposes, but the track on account of long disuse was somewhat slow and soft. Much scratching was indulged in cutting down the unwieldy fields to comfortable proportions. The most important race of the day was the .fourth, a handicap purse of 00 for three-year-olds and -upwards at one and one-sixteenth miles. Of the thirteen scheduled to start nine were absentees. The Durnell and Hurz entry, consisting of Lucien Appleby and the Lady, was made a 1 to 2 favorite, but even at these figures was the medium of heavy backing. Ethylene led by a good margin until turning for home where Buchanan called on Lucien Appleby, which moved up fast and easily wore down Ethylene in the last eighth, winning by a neck, Ethylene beating Hoodwink a length for seoond place. Ethylene tired perceptibly in the closing strides. Hoodwink was under a hard drive all through the stretch and was well beaten when a furlong out. The Lady ran a dull race and can do much bettor. Golden Rule is certainly a high-class sprinter, as ha simply played with the field in the third race, a dash of five and one-half furlongs, for all ages. As soon s the barrier arose, Golden Rule at once dashed to the front and displaying much speed, easily held command throughout, winning by one and one-half lengths from Bummer, which beat Jack Demund a neck for secona place. Bummer ran a good race, standing a long stretch drive with gamenoss. Jack Demund showed impressively. He was many lengths back of the leader when going down the backstretch, but made up ground fast in the last three furlongs and finished with a rush. Fort Wayne showed early speed, but fell away badly beaten just after entering the final quarter. The days opener, a dash of six furlongB for three-year-olds and upward, resulted in a close and exciting finish between Automaton and Fake.CTom Collins, Bhowing ibis usual turn of speed, ledjfor thejfirst three furlongs, where he was displaced by Automaton, the latter turning for home two and a half lengths in the lead, but along about the last eighth post he was joined by Fake, the two fighting it out vigorously to the wire. Automaton outstayed Fake, winning by a neck, the latter beating out Filiform six lengths for second place. Optional ran a poor race and was never a serious contender. Graden, backedfor a "good thing," never gave his many.followers the slightestlsigns of .hope. Tom Collins.tiredlrapidlyiinlthe last quarter. The second race, a five furlongs scrancblelfor two. year-olds, came near ending in a surprise, as Mary McCafferty, the 1 to 3 favorite, had to be driven out to the last ounce to beat out Agnes Mack. To a good start, Mary McCafferty at once jumped into the lead, closely pressed by Belle Graham; but after the first quarter had been run the latter retired in favor of Agnes Mack, which moved up with a rush, she and Mary McCafferty straightening for home on equal terms. The two: fought itlout hard all through the last quarter, Mary McCafferty winning by a nose through Battistes superiorjriding overMorper. Belle Graham finished third, seven lengths back, having tired palpably in the last quarter struggle. Apple Sweet was thoroughly spent when entering the last eighth and fell away badly beaten. Another close finish bobbed up in the fifth race, furlongs for three-year-olds and a dash of seven upward. Federal beating Fairbury by the closest of margins. To a good start Fairbury soon assumed a big lead and appeared to have things his own way when turning for home, but Federal moved up fast along in here and reached Fairbury just about the eighth post. From here to the wire they fought out every foot of the way, Federal passing the wire a nose in the lead, with Vulcain an indifferent third. The last named fell away beaten when the pinch came. Tom Kingsley showed early speed. The last race, a dash of one mile for three-year-olds and upward, went to that sturdy campaigner, Scotch Plaid. First Marcos, then Worthington, and finally Do Madge, led in turns to the last quarter, where Scotch Plaid moved into the lead and won handily by a neck from Fingal, which beat Count Em Out a length for second place. Fingal finished fast and bears watching from now on. He appeared high in flesh when going to the post. Count Em Out made up much ground in the last three furlongs and finished resolutely. So Madge had enough when a furlong out. Silver Fizz showed to poor advantage and can do much better. The crowd was one of the largest ever seen at an opening day at Lakeside. Betting was brisk and heavy. The track will steadily improve provided no rain falls now that it is being run over considerably.
