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RUNNELS DEFEATED. The last week of this years racing at Washington Park was begun yesterday and started out most auspiciously. An unusually large Monday crowd was present and enjoyed an excellent afternoons sport. No stake race was on the card, but the six races were well filled and resulted in several close and exciting finishes. The most important race of the day was the second, a spin of six and a half furlongs for all ages. Runnels was supposed to have it at his mercy, but to the surprise of many present he was defeated by Elsie L., held at 5 to 1 in the betting. Many found fault with Grays ride, thinking he had laid to far out of the sprint in the early stages and made his run too late. Ahola, displaying much speed, held a good lead until just after turning for home, where she tired rapidly and fell away beaten. Golden Rule, Elsie L.f and Runnels closed up fast here, but in the final eighth Elsie L. gradually drew away and appeared to be winning easily, but in the. last sixteenth RUnnels moved up on close terms with her. Both stood a drive gamely, Elsie L. reaching the line first a head in the lead, with Golden Rule third, four lengths back. Runnels was fast wearing down the winner in the closing strides and would have beaten her had the race been a little farther. Golden Rule tired fast when the pinch came. The first race of the day, a six furlongs dash for two-year-olds, resulted in an easy victory for that consistent filly Nannie Hodge, which won her third consecutive race. Off fifth, she at once dashed to the front and after running General Steward into submission in the first half came away without any trouble winning by a length from Aggie Lewis, which finished two before Rain-land for second place. The last named swerved badly opposite the last eighth post, but recovered quickly and outstayed Soldier of Fortune in the last sixteenth struggle. The latter tired badly all through the closing strides. General Steward showed much early speed, but was well spent when entering the final eighth. Bad News is certainly a good horse these days. He was thrown into a soft spot in the third race, a dash of once around the course for three -year-olds, and made the field appear cheap. He was held at 6 to 5 in the betting and won as the odds indicated he should. Mary Glenn measured strides with him for the first five and a half furlongs, where she fell away beaten and he came away in a big canter winning by two and a half lengths from Bondage, which beat Postmaster Wright a neck for second place. Bondage began slowly, but moved up fast in the last quarter and outstayed Postmaster Wright in the sharp last sixteenth struggle. The fourth race, a dash of seven and a half furlongs for three-year-olds and over, resulted in a big surprise to the talent. Barrica, neglected in the betting, proving to be much the best. After the first quarter had been run Orfeo assumed command and led by two lengths until just before entering" the last quarter, where Travers moved up on even terms with him and The Kentuck-ian soon followed suit. In turning for home Orfeo carried Travers and The Kentuckian very wide. It was here Barrica gained much ground by swinging close to the inside rail and passed into the lead when a furlong out winning easily by one and a half lengths from Alee, which finishedi two before Trav- Continued on second page. Koran RUNNELS DEFEATED. Continued from first page. ers for second place. Alee made up ground rapidly in the final quarter and finished going fast. Hot stood a long stretch drive and was fast wearing down Travers for third place in the closing strides. Orfeo tired rapidly when a sixteenth out. Copious scratching in the fifth race caused Secretary Howard to declare it off and another was substituted, a dash of one mile and twenty yards for three-year-olds and over. Lampoon was made the favorite, but found, the track too hard and had to succumb to Harry, against whose chances as good as 10 to 1 could be had. To a good start, the latter at once dashed to the front, but was soon joined by Frank Mc. Rounding the far turn, however, Frank Mc gave it up and Harry easily assumed command, remaining in front thereafter. He won easily by one length from Lampoon, which beat. Captain Arnold a head for second place. Ontonagon appeared to have a chance when a furlong out, but tired badly in the final sixteenth. The last race of the afternoon, a dash of, five furlongs for two-year-old fillies, proved to be an easy thing for the long overdue Silk Maid. Off well in her stride, she at once assumed command and, tiptoeing the field all the way, won as her rider pleased by four lengths from Witchcraft, which beat Shawana one for second place. My Jane was a keen contender for four furlongs and then fell away beaten. Badger Girl showed a little early speed. The track was in excellent condition and should the weather be favorable the remainder of the week some very fast time ought to be registered.
