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STORM AT FAIRMOUNT » Heavy Downpour Changes Track at Collinsville Course. ♦ Fails to Affect Attendance Greatly — Alton Purse Furnishes a Rousing Finish. COLLINSVILLE. 111.. June 25 -A terrific storm, which developed at the noon hour and continued until race time, threatened for a while to have everything afloat in these parts and also to cause a big deflection in attendance. The contrary ruled, however, for the attendance was up to normal, and the storm subsided with the running of the opening race, and at times the sun made brave efforts to thwart the clouds from again blanketing the course. The heavy downpour resulted in the racing strip resembling a miniature circular bike, but the splendid drainage facilities here caused firm footing under the deep layer of mud, and good time was recorded by some of the hotter starters. This was Alton Day at the track, and quite elaborate preparations had been made for the occasion by the citizens of that town. They came numerically strong and brought along their crack band, which entertained in the clubhouse during the afternoon. The Alton Purse was naturally the feature. It had an endowment of SL200 and brought out a good band of sprinters to race five and a half furlongs. It furn shed a rousing contest, with the Mira Monto Stables Iron Mask II. the victor over Cap-istrano and Thundering. ELSTONS FINE RIDE. Iron Mask II. was Rreally benefited by the good ride he received. Elston rode bin superbly by keeping him close to the leaders under restraint and saving considerable ground by a close stretch turn. He moved into the lead an eighth from the finish and held the fast going Capistrano safe when il came to the final drive. Thundering would have l.een closer up but for being ridden wide. Blockhead was again a disappointment and Supporter and Chief Cncas, early factors, quit badly in the stretch. Considering conditions this afternoon a really good program was offered, bavorites were not as successful as usual, but no pronounced outsiders led in their respective races. Long Point, racing in his best style, won in clever fashion in the fourth race, which was intended as a secondary feature. He landed in advance of Kia. smartly backed one. with Orbit just managing to outstay Hatsman. The latters owner claimed Payman in the race at a cost of ,800. The irrepressible R. Jones added another victory to his many scored here when he landed the opening dash with the outsider Belle Fay, to win from Papoose, with Wish-Ton-Wish in third place. The nine starting in the opener raced in close formation from the start, with Belle Fay coining away in the last sixteenth. Wish-Ton-Wish and Papoose were contending strongly for the purse from the start until Jones brought Belle Fay on with a great rush, darr, the outstanding favorite, performed dully and was never a serious factor after reaching the stretch. SPECTACULAR FINISH. One of the most spectacular finishes seen during the current meeting developed in the second race, bringing to the post eight youngsters. Gnome Second triumphed by ■ nose over Tromping Today, with Shasta Crafton the same distance in back of the pair and a short distance in advance of Tommy Foster. Jnome Second displayed decided improvement under hustling tactics over his recent start when favorite. Pool was not as energetic on that occasion as he was today. He rode determinedly all during the stretch and Onome Second succeeded in getting up in the last stride to overhaul the outsider, Tromping To Day. The latter showed fine speed from the start and only missed lasting long enough. Shasta Crafton also showed a fine performance and was aided by saving much ground. The frequently disappointing Post Mistress finally made good when she finished in advance of the ordinary ones that tried conclusions for the third race. She won well in hand and was backed into favoritism. Kendall finished in second place and Shining Cold just managed to last it out for third place. The trio of placed ones always dominated the running, the others always being outrun. l«*irth of Tay always close up drew away in the stretch to beat Taylor Hay. Taylor Hay finished second after showing a good performance. Magic Light, away poorly, came from far back and finished strong to be third. Chemiserie and Intired quit. Bucko was pulled up early. The stables of M. I-owenstein and A. Qehf-hlatt will be shipped to Windsor, Ont., Sunday morning. C W. Moore will ship the horses he has I racing here to Itaceland the latter part of next week.
