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LATONIA DERBY TO DODGE TRACK CONDITIONS IN HIS FAVOR ENABLE HIM 10 DEFEAT GEORGE SMITH. George Smith Runs a Game Race and Finishes i Second with Dick Williams Third — Rain Brings Discomfort to a Big Crowd. LIT Cincinnati. O.. .Tunc 17. — Weber and Wards Jim GafTncy — Flora Willnughby colt Ihidge, ridden by F. Murphy, had his name enrolled in the list of I.atonia Derhy winners today when lie accounted for the thirty -fourth running of this rich fixture. His victory was accomplished in easy style. The Kentucky Derhy winner. George Smith, easily l eat Dick Williams for second money. Dig Smoke, by finishing fourth, saved his entrance and starting fees. The net value of the purse to the winner was ,050. George Smith earned ,750 and Dick Williams 50. The track was made to order for Dodge, while it Appeared as if George Smith was at a disadvantage in the going. Only his sheer gameness. coupled with masterly riding, enabled him to finish ;.s close up as he did. As a spectacle the race did not amount to much. Tie erratic Gipsey George, after delaying the start for six minutes, was rushed into the lend and raced with Dodge ontii a mile of the journey had boon traversed. At this i oint Dodge moved into a clear lead and George Smith, wlii -li had l ccn dropping back and coming again it intervals, made a resolute effort to reach Dodge. His effort was unavailing and long before the last eighth post was reached it was apparent that Dodge would lie an easy winner. Murphy elected to make it by five lengths. George Smith responded in game fashion to the final fill. During tlie early running Dick Williams was under hard restraint and seemingly eager to go into the lead anw, apparently able to do so when his rider should choose, but much to everyones surprise, he tired unexpectedly in the stretch. Evidently the hard choking to which he was subjected in the first mile did him more harm than if he had tieen allowed a free rein. Dig Smoke came fast in the stretch, but Gipsey George tired badly in the last quarter. Starting out with ideal conditions, the promising setting was destroyed soon after the running of the first mce when a violent lightning and thunder storm sprang up and shortly after rain descended in torrents. The big crowd, which had begun to wend its way to the MM in a steady stream at the noon hour, suffered the inconvenience in good-natured style. They were unmindful of the wetting and many late creations of the modistes and milliners arts were totally destroyed. It was im-possiblc for all to find proper shelter from the downpour. In the betting ring the crowd was so dense that speculation became stagnant, the bettors being unequal to the task of reaching the mutuel machine workers. Just after the running of the third race the sun came out and enabled the crowd to unravel itself. People swarmed over the lawns and paddock, while the stairs leading to the huge grandstands were also utilized for vantage points from which to MM fleeting glimpses of the Derby running. In the clubhouse conditions were not much better, for the society folks were out in force. They filled this commodious structure and likewise the garden-like plot intervening between the clubhouse and grandstand. When the rain came thousands were still on the way to the track and some were deterred from comjdeting the journey. As it was. the crowd in attendance this afternoon was of record proportions. The volume of betting, however, was not as great as expected. The Hyde Iark Handicap at one mile and an eighth was reduced by withdrawals to three starters, on account of the changed track conditions and Embroidery proved an easy winner over Solar Star with Pels just failing to overhaul the latter. It was the general opinion that George Smith would have related his Kentucky Derby victory h.nl t In- track remained dry. He likewise disproved that he could not go a long route. A delegation of two hundred came from Louisville to witness the Derby. Lexington also sent a big representation. Chicago was well represented and some from that point were big "boosters" for the -oming meeting at that city. Jefferson Livingston came from New York to witness the Derby. "Sorry I have no representative in the race." said he. "All my eligibles w-nt amiss. 1 should have liked tiie honor of winning the big race two years in succession." The volume of speculation on the Derby exceeded that of last year by alxmt 2,000. The total amount for the day would also hac surpassed last years but for the rain. W. Covington, who lost Pels by the claiming process at Louisville, retaliated by securing Harry tiardner for ,200, an advance of over his entered price. .1. M. Henry. Jr.. bid up Money to ,205. an advance of 1916.sh00, but the horse was retained by his owner. Gene Elrod is still confined to his quarters by illness and during his absence the ring affairs will be looked afni by Fred Milter. Jack Adkins string of thirteen racers that he is training for K. J. Mackenzie, arrived this morning from Louisville. Buckhorii, which is at present in Lexington, will join those here Monday. Howard Dots was an arrival this morning from Ottawa. He is arranging his affairs so that he can go to England for the July sales. A. W. Hoots, who was ruled off at Juarez for failure to give up the mare Cseelt, when claimed by Tube Ramsey, was today given permission by the Juarez ttewarte t" sell his horses. His racers consist of Cs.eit. dolus and Husky Lad. The latter was sold today to W. H. Armstrong. Senator Ollie James, who was a prominent figure in the St. Iiuis convention during the week, was among the visitors and took an active interest in the sport. General Manager John Hachmeister was much elated over the results this afternoon. "We will surpass last years banner mark even though we had adverse conditions to contend with," said he.
