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errr - WITFULL WINS. Despite the off-day card presented by Secretary Jasper at Worth yesterday, the racing was good throughout, four of the finishes being of a close and exciting nature. The most important race of the day was the fourth, a dash of one mile, for all ages. "Wit-full was rightfully made a decided first choice, but hardly won as the odds indicated she should, Toah almost catching her in the closing strides. To a good start, Coruscate went to the front and held command until nearing the far turn, where "Witfull easily assumed the lead when called on. When a furlong out Witfull appeared to be winning easily but had to be hand ridden smartly all through the last hundred yards to stall off Toahs determined challenge. She won by a short head, Toah finishing four lengths before Coruscate for second place. Palm Header cut across Toah at the first quarter, causing him to lose ground The latter then made up ground rapidly after passing the far turn and came with a belated rush under a strong ride. Palm Reader was badly cut down when he cut across Toah. Coruscate showed speed, but tired rapidly when the pinch came. Alfredo ran well up for five furlongs and then fell away beaten. The first race of the day, a dash of one mile, for four-year-olds and over, proved to be an easy thing for James J. Corbett, j skillfully ridden by Ferrell. Tom Kingsley led to the far turn, where James J. Corbett I easily passed him and was never afterward headed, winning easily by one length from j Frank M., which finished a neck before Atheola for second place. Frank M. stood a stretch drive with more gameness than usual and outstayed Atheola in the last sixteenth drive for second place. Little Wilson was not strong enough to handle Pronta well, allowing her to fall almost hopelessly out of it in the first half mile. She moved up fast thereafter and finished going well on her own courage. Fourleaf C. ran in improved form. The second race, a dash of five and a half furlongs, for two -year-olds, resulted in a surprise. Fly Lady, against which as good as 7 to 1 could be had, finishing first She led from start to finish, winning in a mild drive by a half length from Leila, which finished one and a half before Badger Girl for second place. Leila was under vigorous urging in the final eighth, but could not quite get up. Badger Girl made up some ground in the final quarter and easily outstayed My Gem in the final eighth struggle for third place. The latter tired rapidly in the final sixteenth and was passed by Wistaria at the finish. She can do much better but is very inconsistent. The third race, at seven furlongs, for three-year-olds and over, resulted in another close finish, the winner turning up in Sarah Maxim, held at 41 to 1 in the betting. Goodman, showing much speed, led by a big margin for the first six and a half furlongs and appeared to be winning easily, but Sarah Maxim stole up fast next to the inside rail in the final sixteenth, just getting lip in time to wn by a head on the post, Goodman finishing three and a half lengths before Jim Hale for second place. Goodman was simply not quite good enough to withstand Sarah Maxims determined challenge in the closing strides. Jim Hale tired perceptibly, when a sixteenth out. Evas Darling was never a serious contender and ran an unaccountably dull race. The fifth race, a dash of six furlongs, for two-year-olds, was marred by the uncalled-for actions of jockey Booker, who rode General Steward. The latter, showing much speed, led all the way, winning in a hard drive by a head from Ralph Young, which finished two lengths before Avenger for second place. When a furlong out Booker repeatedly beat Ralph Young over the head, Young being placed first, Avenger second for which his mount was disqualified, Ralph and Myron Dale third. Ralph Young finished resolutely and but for the interference would undoubtedly have won. Instrument ran well for four and a half furlongs and then retired. Charley Thompson played with the field in the sixth race, a dash of one and one-sixteenth miles, for three-year-olds and upward. He led from start to finish, spreadeagling the field and winning in a canter by five lengths from Ledus, which finished three and a half before Boaster for second place. Ledus responded gamely to punishment in the final eighth and was easily best of the others. Boaster ran a dull race and can do much I better. He showed scant speed and finished third simply because there were no horses that amounted to much back of him.
