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CAPTAIN HAL BY NOSE »- Beats Hopeless in Sparkling Finish in Inaugural Handicap. * Immense Crowd Braves Extreme Heat to Witness Opening Days Sport at Latonia. * BOUISVIBBE, Ky., June 2.— Captain Hal, which has been in the limelight all this spring and probably unfortunate in suffering defeat in the Kentucky Derby and the Grainger Memorial Handicap, finally scored his initial victory of the year when he won the Inaugural Handicap at one mile and a sixteenth, the feature of a good program for the opening of the Batonia twenty-nine days summer meeting. The race had a net value to the winner of ,260. Captain Hals success was by the narrowest kind of margin. He beat Hopeless by a nose, with Princess Dorcen in third place close behind the leading pair. Sir Peter was fourth. The time. 1 :44, for the mile and a sixteenth over the rejuvenated course, was an excellent performance from a time standpoint. Captain Hal was ridden this afternoon by M. Garner, who took the place of J. Heupel. It required pood riding on the part of Garner to make him win. The three-year-old colt found the 110 pounds he carried -almost equal weight with his older rivals — burdensome during the last sixteenth and he was tiring perceptibly near the end. Another stride would have found Hopeless in front. Captain Hal, however, displayed extreme speed in the early part, but the final eighth found him tiring. At that he stalled off Princess Doreen gamely through the stretch, but Hopeless, after saving much ground, was overhauling him steadily in the last sixteenth. KENTUCKY CARDINAL DISAPPOINTS. There were eleven starters in the race, with Captain Hal a pronounced choice, Princess Doreen and the Croissant pair, Kentucky Cardinal and Stanwix, also attracting support. The Bradley following were loyal to Beau Butler, but he was forced to race wide most of the way and did not figure seriously at any part of the race. Kentucky Cardinal was always far out of it and raced disappointingly. Step Along was another to perform poorly. He began swerving all over the track soon after the start and impeded some of the others. Sir Peters race was a capital one. He held to his task determinedly and proved he was other than a sprinter as he has heretofore been regarded, l.atonias opening was all that was expected. An immense attendance was on hand despite the extreme heat. The assemblage included many of Cincinnatis most prominent citizens, the clubhouse contingent being quite extensive. The public began auspiciously in the opener when they held J. N. Camdens Rothermel to be the best and she made good in decisive style to win with much in reserve after having indulged J. G. Denny with the lead for the first half mile. Mergler called on her when straightened in the stretch and tne filly shot past the leader with ease to win with much in reserve. Rondelle. coming with determination during the stretch, landed in second place and Certain, after a slow beginning, came steadily to outstay J. G. Denny in third place. Hal Price Headleys colors were carried to victory by his Helens Babe, which teat eight other maiden fillies starting in the second race. She raced as if best and, though forced to go around her rivals, took command In the last eighth to win thereafter [ well in hand. Cupids Curse was allowed to I drop far back for the first quarter, but saving ground at the stretch and hard urged she came steadily and finished going gamer than the leader. Wildwood, coupled with Massey and prominent from the start, held tho others safe. The disappointment here , was Cameo. She raced greenly and was ridden weakly. BY GOSH SURPRISES. By Gosh was neglected in favor of Make Dp in the third race, and furnished a surprise by an easy victory while Make l*p i showed a dull performance and just managed to save third place from the fast coming Nogales. Make ip fell at the barrier when he reared. Jockey Fronk managed to avoid him, but the fall evidently must liae jarred the horse c msiderably for he gave way after he had contended with the leaders for the first half mile only. By Gosh began slowly but coming fast through the streteli had no difficulty beadtng I and brush to win well in hand. Dandybrush showed a good performance, but was tiring near the end though having the place safe all during the final siU "nth. The large grandstand and reserved sections I were all filled and the spectators took a lively interest in the good sport that developed. The continuous victories of the favorites Continued on twentieth oast. CAPTAINJHrUBY NOSE Continued front first puce. was attended by considerable profit to the public. Conditions for the sport were excellent, except the heat. The track was a good deal faster than expected in view of the heavy cushion on the course. In the secondary feature. Queen of the Forest again demonstrated that she is a good filly, probably the best sprinter here, for she won wen in hand from some fast ones after having displayed extreme speed from the start The surprise of the race was furnished by Caractus, which raced closest in puruit and finished a fast-going second. Slow ar.d Easy finished third, with Lathrop, Bob Cahill and Dudley trailing. It was Dudleys first start since his operation for a ttwoat affection and he raced forwardly for three-eighths, tiring badly thereafter. Tho start for the sixth race was delayed considerably when E. Martin, the original rider of Supporter, was kicked on the leg and it necessitated the substitution of Garner for the injured jockey. Belle was a pronounced choice in the race and she won handily after having been far back until reaching the stretch. Supporter, coming with a rush through the stretch, finished in second place and Billy Witt held on well to take third place. Trainer William Garth made an auspicious beginning with the Edward B. Mclean horses that he recently took over, for Gold Bug, winner at Churchill Downs on the closing day, scored an easy victory in the concluding race today. He was ridden by the unknown apprentice Albiker and he handled him in veteran like style. Gold Bug winning in a big romp from Blue Stone, with Barracuda just up for third place. High lYince was held in high favor, but he suffered considerable interference and began tiring in the stretch. *
