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AMERICAN BOYS LUCK Wins Jefferson Park Feature by Having the Best Going. William A. First All tlie Way and Gains a New Owner Track Now Improving. NEW ORLEANS. La., December 20. Steady improvement in track conditions made better racing this afternoon, but horses having an inner post position had decidedly the best of it, for the going was much firmer for a space of fifteen feet from the inner rail. In several of the dashes some of the better grade horses cairied colors and furnished interesting contests. The attendance was back to normal, a brilliant sun making top wraps superfluous. Betting activities were on a par with the best that has gone before and tlie forty-six layers had a busy and profitable afternoon. Tho mile and seventy yards handicap was the feature and resulted in a lucky victory for American Boy over Blarney Stone and Cantilever, with the favorites Despair and Easteside dropping completely out of contention after being prominent for three-quarters. Blarney Stone was probably best in the race, but his downfall was the result cf Martinis poor judgment in taking him out cf the good going into the bad footing. McDer-mott. on the contrary, stuck close to the inner rail with American Boy, where the footing was firm and, in addition to having the solid strip to race over, benefited additionally by the amount of ground he saved. He ultimately won by a head from Blarney Stone. Despair and Easteside were both forced to race in the bad going for a time and this proved their undoing. William A., which had barely failed in previous races, was again installed a favorite. This time he was an overwehlming one and attracted betting xtttention from all the favorite backers. He justified it by the manner in which he won, leading practically from the start and winning in a canter by as big a margin as his rider elected. Sewell Combs finished second and Sea Mint just lasted to land third money. W. M. Cain, represented in the race by Sewell Combs, claimed tlie winner for ?3,200. "GOOD THING" GOES Tlie introductory scramble brought a dozen ordinary two-year-olds to the barrier and betting wisdom here was correct, for Evelyn Sawyer, the favored one, won from Kinsman, a supposed good thing, Josie M. landing third. The second race resulted in an upset by the victory of Straight Shot at long odds over Spring Vale, second, with Helen Atkin, the favorite, third. Dr. Rac had the call in the third and he flattered extensively by leading by a good margin in advance of the others, but just whe n he appeared a certain winner Saga-mook came with a rush and headed him. Dr. Rae had no difficulty outstaying Lord Herbert for second place. The closing dash found Amaze installed a big choice, with Tulsa also coming in for considerable support. Amaze proved a bad disappointment, for after leading for a half mile he retired and Tulsa just managed to outstay King Trojan and Betty J. Ballot-car was going like a shot when he suffered from interference and it deprived him of part of tlie purse. SNYDER TO GET CnANCE. William Snyder, one of starter A. B. Dades helpers, will, it is said, displace William Hamilton as starter at the Fair Grounds. Hamiltons work at Jefferson Park has been excellent, but it is said that it was starter Dades original intention to give both his capable assistants an opportunity to preside at the barrier this winter and Snyders appointment to start at the Fair Grounds would only be in line with starter Dades original intention. "Snyder has assisted me wholeheartedly," said Hamilton, "and if he does tha starting at the Fair Grounds I will give him all the assistants I can." Entries to the New Years Handicap with ,000 added, will close Monday instead of Saturday, as originally announced. The change was made because of the uncertainty with respect to the number of races that would be given daily at the Fair Grounds, causing a delay in the issuance of the program books. The first book is expected to be distributed to owners Saturday. Phalaris, which came out of his race yesterday in a bad way, had to be destroyed. It was found that the ligaments in his leg were entirely torn loose and the horse could make no use of the injured leg. Secretary had to be an eleventh hour absentee in the third race today on account of going lame. Johns Umma broke down during the running of the second race. Jockey E. Pool will be absent from the saddle for some time, having contracted a slight touch of dengue fever.
