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LAKESIDES OPENING. With elemental conditions almost as bad as possible the racing around Chicago was begun yesterday at Lakeside. Despite this, however, a crowd of at least 2,500 was present, which augurs well for the success of the sport here this year. Had the day been clear Secretary Nathanson thinks the largest attendance in the history of the course would have been on hand. The card offered was of rather poor quality, owners of the better class of thoroughbreds preferring not to race them in the mushy going. The customary syndicate booking prevailed, with Barney Weller in charge of the ring. The most important race of the day was the fifth, a dash of one mile for three-year-olds and upward. Eankin, on the strength of his good showing in mud at Memphis and New Orleans was made a decided favorite, being held at 3 to 5. He ran a good race when it is considered that he had just been taken off the cars, but was unable to beat Albula which was second choice in the batting with War Cry. Albula took the lead at the rise, of the barrier and was never afterwards headed. He was challenged by Eankin in the final eighth, but never faltered and won easily by one length, Rankin finishing five in front of Pyrrho for second place. Haviland was cut off by the winner at the first turn, but even after that appeared to be unable to extend himself freely in the going and was beaten off at the end. .- The surprise of the day was the signal defeat of Scorpio, the 2 to 5 favorite in the fourth race, a dash of five furlongs for three-year-olds and upward. Even at the short price the Trotter gelding was generously backed, but the best he could do was to run second to St. Minor, which received good support from a number of shrewd horsemen. St. Minor immediately went to the front at flag-drop and held a safe lead until just after turning for home, where Hattie Walker, by virtue of baing taken next to the inside rail, assumed command, but, it was only for a brief period, as she began to tire a fnr-longlout, aud St. .Minor had little trouble in pass ng her, winning well in hand by two and a half lengthsfrom Scorpio, which beat Burnie Bunton three and a half for second place. Scorpio, contrary to expectations,! showed little early speed bat moved up fast when turning for home and finished strongly. It was generally known that Burnie Bunton was high in flesh and hardly up to a good race, and for this reason she was severely let alone in the betting. She put up a. fair perform ance at that and can bo relied on to show to better advantage at her next appearance. Hattie Walker will also bear watching. She has a likely tarn of speed and runs well in any kind of going. The first race of the year around Chicago was a seven furlong dash for three-year-olds and upward, About, the 4 to 5 first choice, ran as the batting in-dicated, but her margin was so slight at the end that many were not Bure of her victory until the numbers were postedshe just getting her nose over the wire first with Merops second and Old Mike third, one length back. About was well handled. Antonius, carrying top weight, proved to be the best in the second race, a seven furlong struggle for three-year-olds and upward. Illuminate and Hedge were made equal choices in the betting, but neither finished inside the money. Doeskin closely accompanied by Safeguard showed the way until entering the final eighth where Antonius closed up on them and gradually passed into the lead, win ning easily by one and a half lengths, Doeskin fin ishing a head before Safeguard. The first two-year-old race hereabouts, a scramble of four furlongs, was won by Arnold ., the 9 to 10 favorite, in a sensational manner. Apparently beaten off at the first quarter, he gradually closed up on those in front of him, and moving up fast next to the inside rail in the last sixteenth, easily passed Miss Callam in the closing strides, winning going away by a length. The latter beat J. W. ONeill one and a half lengths for second place. The last race, a dash of a mile for three-year-olds and upward, was absolutely a big canter for Alee, against whose chances as good aa 6 to 1 could be had. Dr. Gurnsey was made a slight favorite, but failed to get inside of the money. Alee at once took the lead and, always running well within himself, was never in trouble, winning as his rider pleased by two and a half lengths from Dodie B., which beat Marion Lynch four and a half for second place. Dodie S. ran to her best form. Marion Lynch tired when entering the last eighth, but about ran to her best form. The betting was spirited and heavy. The track will be sloppy again this afternoon.
