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OFF TO GOOD START 9 Fall Meeting at Churchill Downs Begins Auspiciously. Blotter and Laveen First in Features Jockey Griffin Rides Three Winners. LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct 23. Churchill Downs opened its fifteen-day fall meeting auspiciously with a representative attend-nace on hand, despite the wintry aspect of the weather. The clubhouse contingent was particularly large and they displayed all their old-time enthusiasm for the sport. The racing was spirited, somewhat marred though by rough riding, the more diminutive youngsters, particularly the newcomers, being the chief offenders in this respect. In several instances the interference was responsible for the defeat of the best horses. The West Point Purse and the Fall Inaugural Handicap were the two outstanding races of the opening program. Both were productive of rousing finishes and they also brought upsets by the downfall of the favorites. For that matter betting wisdom was all awry in a majority of the races, for choices were bowled over with regularity. The change from the hard Latonia track to the deeply cushioned Churchill Downs course also might have brought about a change in the running of several of the starters. On the whole the change should be beneficial to many of the racers, particularly those with suspicious underpinning. In the Fall Inaugural, the Southland Stable owned Blotter was the victor. He had all the good racing luck and was given an exceptionally strong ride by the diminutive Griffin. That same rider also won with Laveen in the West Point and on Pretty Politician in the closing race, riding this pair also skillfully. Blotter he energetically hustled away from the post and kept Miss Cerina close company for the first five-eighths. Blotter proved the gamest in the final drive and beat Miss Cerina by a scant margin, Sunspero following the pair. AUDACIOUS IX TROUBLE. The veteran Audacious was the favorite in the last quarter of the mile in the West Point, went glimmering, due to the badly judged ride he got and the frequent interference he suffered. At no time during the stretch racing was he able to stride freely and he finished far back as a result of the restraining tactics necessary on him. Laveen and Valley Light fought it out for the last quarter of the mile in the West Point Laveen showed her best form and she was favored by the light weight. She also benefitted extensively by the interference that King Tut suffered in the first quarter, which forced him back from a leading position to last place and practically out of contention. Laveen followed Valley Light closely and her light impost enabled her to steadily gain on the leader in the stretch and ultimately dispose of him in the last sixteenth to win by a neck. King Tut raced as if best, closed an immense gap and, finishing gamely, was close to the leaders in third place at the finish. Lee O. Cotner, making his first start in some time, was victor over some good juveniles that met in the sixth race at seven-eighths. Swope, coming from far "back, landed in second place in advance of Elsass. Blue Ridge was the one most fancied in the race but ODonnell rode him weakly and he could do no better than land in fourth place. Lee O. Cotner followed Menifee and when the latter tired he took command and held his opponents safe without great effort. ALL FAVORITES DEFEATED. With the downfall of Midwestern in the closing race by Pretty Politician, it witnessed the complete overthrow of all the choices for the afternoon. Griffin gave Pretty Politician a hustling ride and it won for her. Midwestern should have been the winner, but Gormley was not equal to the occasion - and he was beaten out by half a length. Who Knows Me finished in third place. Pretty Politician will run hereafter in the colors of M. Shapoff, that owner claiming her at a cost of ,000. Thirteen of the ordinary variety responded in the opening race and the starter had all manner of trouble getting them aligned, due to the fractious acting of Ruby. They were finally sent away in fairly good alignment, with John Q. Kelly showing the way and Rubien his nearest follower. They dominated in the lead until well along in the stretch, where Jupiter came fast under strong urging of Stutts and, overhauling John Q. Kelly in the last sixteenth, won with much in reserve. John Q. Kelly had no difficulty holding on to second place. Rubien finished third. John Q. Kelly was the favorite. The second race, in which two-year-olds made the contest, was an unsatisfactory run one, with Sandor losing his rider in a jam that came in the first quarter and it also probably terminated the racing career of El Continued on sixteenth page. OFF TO GOOD START Continued from first page. Moro, which was badly cut down. Sun Hathor was the favorite in the race, but he suffered keenly from the jam that occurred. Sir Peter and Down Town were the only two that escaped interference and they had the race between them, Sir Peter Avinning handily with Down Town just as easily holding second place safe. Broadway Jones closed a big gap during the stretch in spite of swerving towards the inner rail and he finished third. The mile for ordinary ones resulted in an upset but a spirited finished with Annie Lyle the victress by a head over Johnny Jewell. Snow Maiden was half a length in back of the pair in third place. Snow Maiden was favorite and pounds the best Her diminutive rider refused to let her race for-wardly in the early, stages and when he did send her out she was forced to work her way up through, the field. He lost ground when he rode wide in the stretch but she gained steadily and was fast overhauling the leaders in the last eighth. Annie Lyle and Johnny Jewell Avere in command for almost the entire way.
