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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT H. P. Headleys Mike Hall Defeats Crack Band at Latonia. Accounts for Fort Mitchell .Country Club Purse Began Racing Career In Plater Class. - LATONIA, Ky., June 23. Mike Hall, which inaugurated his racing career among the platers during the Lexington spring meeting and has exhibited rapid improvement since, continued his bid for a place among the top-notchers, when he accounted for the Fort Mitchell Country Club Purse today, feature attraction of a fine program at Latonia. The race was over one mile and an eighth and was fashioned as a preliminary for the rich Independence Handicap, to be renewed Monday. Mike Hall, which led throughout, enjoyed a margin of two lengths over Royal Julian at the finish, where the latter nosed out Bewithus for second place. The winner, racing under the silks of H. P. Headley, was not closely pressed by Never More and San-utar, as the later two alternated in forcing his fast pace and, when the early followers began tiring after three-quarters, Nick Huff hustled the ultimate winner into such a long lead as to cinch the victory. Through the stretch Royal Julian and Bewithus finished fast, but their belated challenges were of no avail, so far as overtaking the winner was concerned. They, however, stirred the large attendance thoroughly by their. battle for second place and, while Bewithus gave the best performance of the two, Strettons strong finish on Royal Julian was just enough to have him inches in front of Bewithus at the end. C. Egan, after getting Bewithus away slowly, permitted him to drop .far out of it and he was forced to close an immense gap to hold such a prominent berth at the end. Mike Hall was not held in very high regard by the players and his admirers were awarded generous odds. He negotiated the distance in 1 :50. The day was much the hottest in some time, but the almost torrid heat did not serve as a damper on enthusiasm or a detriment against fast time over the perfect track. Loretta Brooks raced in her best form to win the opening race in a rather snug fashion from Susan Rebecca and Helen Carter. The winner raced from behind the pace after seven-eighths and, after reaching the lead, stuck to her task gamely and outstayed Susan Rebecca", after having worn down Helen Carter. Aside from some early speed from Mandolette, which cut out the pace for a half mile, the placed three were in advance of the others throughout. Quotation, which dwelt when the start came and was practically left, ran a fine race to finish a bang up and strongly running fifth. Jockey S. Stretton gave a brilliant exhibition of fine horsemanship in riding Charlie Bergin, a first-time starter, under the J. C. Milam colors, to victory by a narrow margin over Duffs Time in the second race. The race brought but twelve maiden two-year-olds, at five and one-half furlongs, and the Continued on twentieth page. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Continued from first page erratic winner required the strongest possible handling. Stretton was repeatedly forced to forego riding until he could get the gelding racing straight In the driving finish he outstayed Duffs Time by a neck. The latter suffered due to inability to obtain racing room early in the race and Alfred Johnson was not the slightest outdone in the drive. He had his mount going well, after finding a clear course in the stretch, and was wearing the winner down at the end. Everlastings belated rush put him in third place. The third race, which brought under colors six of the better grade platers with a penchant for the three-quarters mile distance, was productive of a fast race and an easy win for Stampdale. In running the distance in 1:11 he administered decisive defeat to Mally Jane, the pronounced choice, Genial Host and the others that essayed to run with him. Sandrine, for which E. P. Waggoner of Electra, Texas, this morning paid W. S. Dudley a price said to have been 5,000 and making her deubt, was winner of the sixth race, an allowance affair for two-year-old fillies. This daughter of Fair Play and Labyonette was hard hustled to dispose of Soiree in the first three-eighths, but, upon taking command, showed fine speed and raced along in front of her rivals for the remainder of the distance. At the finish Hush Dear, which finished with a rush, was in second. place, three lengths behind the winner and a neck in front of Soiree. The latter raced well, but after following the winner for almost three-eighths, she was forced back and bore out at the last turn before making a game finish. Paulina L., which acted very fractious while on the way to the barrier, unseated her rider when she wheeled to the inside at the start. She shared favoritism with Pendelton, which tired badly.
