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SPIC AND , SPAN VICTOR IN CLARK HANDICAP ! fa *. _. w Captures Valuable Opening Stake Attraction at Churchill Downs • • « Son of John Only Derby Candidate in Race to Show to Advantage — Rain and Heavy Track Mar Fine Inaugural Program ♦ LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 9. — Heavy rains of last night and continued threatening weather, with intermittent showers, marred the opening of the Kentucky Jockey Cluba racing at Churchill Downs this afternoon. Considering the bad weather and heavy track, the patronage was a generous one. Enthusiasm was not lacking and the winners were cheered lustily. The changed track caused wholesale scratching from the program, small fields being the order in most of the races. The Clark Handicap, worth 2,000 net to the winner, was reduced to half of the criginal twenty-two named. It resulted in victory for Spic and Span, a recent arrival from Tijuana, where he performed creditably. He was ably ridden by G. Fields, who avoided tho early pace with him and moved up steadily in the last quarter to ultimately beat Son of John, with Little Celt, also coming steadily, outstaying Captain Hal for third place. The winner displayed a liking for the going and was also successful in avoiding interference, due to the bad riding of their mounts by some of the riders. Sufferers from, crowding and bad rides were Sweetheart and Leopardess. Both as a result were far in the wake of the leaders at the finish and figured but slightly during the running. In addition to the usual interest that the Clark Handicap attracts there was more this year on account of the presence of Lee O. Cotner and Captain Hal in the race. Both these colts have been considerably in the public mind as possible Kentucky Derby contenders. The pair were making their racing debut as three-year-olds, but did not come out of the race with added luster. Lee O. Cotner eliminated himself after three-quarters when he stumbled and was pulled out of contention. CAPTAIN HAL FAILURE. Captain Hal raced with Son of John and there was considerable surprise when tho Scott colt led him from the start. Captain Hal was done after three-quarters and he tired steadily from then on. Son of John also began tiring after his strenuous efforts of the earlier periods of the race, but he came out the hero among the three-year-olds. Supremus, another three-year-old, carrying Hal Price Headleys colors, also showed well considering that he was hopelessly out of it in the beginning and closed an immense gap. Spic and Span was given slight regard and was grouped with others in the field. At the weights ne performed impressively and he should be a factor in the decision of future stakes that he is engaged in. The sport began with a victory for S. N. Holmans Tangara, grouped with others in the field. Marvin May finished second and Pindar Peel was third. The winner raced forwardly and well in addition to displaying a liking for the muddy going. He moved up determinedly after straightening for the stretch and drew out decisively near the end. Marvin May held on fairly well for the entire distance, but had a stronger rider been on Pindar Peel he would have finished an easy second. Winding Through, an outsider, showed the most speed until the last sixteenth, where she began tiring. SANDY MAN IMPRESSIVELY. Hal Price Headleys Sandy Man, by Uncle — Sandy Lad, was an easy victor of the second race, bringing together some good juveniles. Sandy Man showed considerable liking for the muddy going and moving into the lead immediately after the start held sway throughout and won with much in reserve. Blue Pencil was lucky to escape the interference that came soon after the start and just managed to outstay Chicago, which was coupled with Jack Knight. Had Chicago succeeded in getting away a bit more forwardly he would have heen an easy second. The interference that came soon after the start affected Torchs chances. Burkes Boy bolted at the stretch turn while in a contending position. Soldier II.. which perfermed successfully at New Orleans on muddv tracks, made h!s Kentucky debut for the year in the third race ; and he won with extreme p:is. The going was to his liking and he displayed the most speed from the start and was under restraint for the entire way. Hoy. after falling completely out of it in the first quarter, legal gaining in the stretch and in a sharp drive outstayed Kamkin for second place. The latter also closed a big gap and overhauled Tender Seth la the last stride for third place. The good band of sprinters that met in tho fourth furnished an interesting contest with Reputation the leader from the start. In the early stages he was challenged strongly by Energy but when the latter was allowed to raee wide into the stretch Reputation was momentarily unattended but Boater suddenly J loomed prominently and he forced the Wil-I liams Brothers crack to his top speed to pet , home half a length in advance. Fabian after Continued on twentieth page. CLARK TO SPIC AND SPAN Continued from firgt pace. being hopelessly out of it came with a good rush through the stretch and landed in third place. Brothers ride on Energy was incompetent and the horse began tiring and racing wide during the stretch. The sixth race, bringing to the post a good band of two-year-olds, was marred by considerable interference to most of the starters, including Devon. The latter was forced back and badly cut about the fore leg, causing M. Garner to pull him up. Mally Jane and Supporter were others to suffer from the crowding. The winner turned up in Epsomite, which, from an outer position, was lucky to escape interference and, holding on well under a hustling ride, beat home Take a Chance, with Lonesome finishing third. H. Hamilton, on Take a Chance, was held to blame for the interference and was suspended for ten days by the stewards for rough riding. S. N. llolman made it a double for the afternoon, starting the meeting auspiciously when his Nassau scored in the final race. His Tangara opened with a victory in the inaugural dash. Nassau displayed fine form and was benefited by an energetic ride. The samo kind of handling on Barbary Bush would have won for him. W. Harvey, on the latter, managed to get away slowly and Barbary Bush had a rough journey to the first turn, where he moved up well, but Nassau all times held him safe. Midwestern finished in third place. The disappointment in the race was Dingo. He ceased to be prominent after going half a mile,
