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* ;- • , , ■» - ■■■ jmaalKr gSSKuk: «**s*SBB*:: i * " Mm llls; i% *".: • ■■- ""* B8and -VffXW frp* % ■"* •. * * •tf* REIGH COUNTS DEBUT ♦ Derby Favorite Triumphant in First Start of the Year. ♦ Adds to His Popularity by the Most Impressive Showing to Credit of Any Western Eligible. LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 14.— Mrs. J. D. Hertz Reigh Count, present favorite for tho Kentucky Derby, made his debut as a three-year-old at Churchill Downs today in tho Mammoth Cave Purse, in which he started with others of his age at one mile and a sixteenth, and he vanquished them in a manner that left no room for doubt as to his superiority over this band. He raced impressively during the contest and, at the conclusion of the race, worked out the one mile and a quarter, which distance he completed in the good time of 2:05%. He was well in hand throughout the race and workout. His showing was by far the best of any three-year-old that has been raced in this section, and what impressed the close observers most was that he did not exert himself to do more than he was asked to do. He was ready and willing to do more if called on, but jockey Lang was content to let him have his own way. Only at one period in the race was he roused. That incident came in the stretch when Colonel Shaw had momentarily threatened, and urged him a trifle at this stage and Reigh Count moved away from the others but, at the conclusion of the race, he was loafing. Dodgson, which has been coming in for considerable attention of late, moved into the lead immediately after the start and displayed fine speed, leading the others by a good margin. Lawley was in second place, with Colonel Shaw following and Reigh Count in the center of the course content to race in close pursuit. He began moving up fast after being straightened out on the back stretch and, before the half mile post had been reached, was almost on even terms with Dodgson. SEVER SERIOUSLY MENACED. The fight between the pair for mastery was of brief duration, Reigh Count drawing into undisputed lead without great effort and, once in command, he was never seriously threatened. Lawley saved much ground and held well to his task, but at one time was passed by Colonel Shaw. The latter swerved out near the end and then enabled Lawley to again take second place. Jack Hlggins, winner of the Louisiana Derby, was going steadily in the stretch and was close to Colonel I Shaw at the end. L»odgson finished beaten off in last place. Reigh Count demonstraed that he is in splendid condition and justified the anti-po-st favoritism he has been enjoying. He carries the stamp of being an outstanding factor in the big race next Saturday and his supporters, as well as his connections, feel sanguine that he will justify their confidence. An immense crowd was attracted to Churchill Downs to witness Reigh Count in his three-year-old debut. Considerable interest was also manifested in the performances of the other Derby eligibles that opposed him in todays race. The easy manner, in which he vanquished his opponents made it patent that he is their master. The beaten ones have excuse. Reigh Count also showed by his effort that the mile and a quarter will not prove a handicap. He had IIS pounds up in his race today, which is eight pounds less than he will "have up in the Derby. Jack Higgins was the only other In the race that was weighted alike with Reigh Count. BAD ACCIDENT IX OPENER. The opening race, in which fifteen platers started, brought with its running a fall, in which Sport Trail, Critic and Accumulator were the victims. Accumulators injuries were so grave he had to be destroyed. The mishap came just when the field was about to make the first turn. Sport Trail at this stage was in a contending position and about to move up when he was suddenly blocked by horses moving up on each side of him. He fell heavily when Huff attempted to take him back. Critic and Accumulator, both racing far out of it, fell over the prostrate horse. Jockey Huff, on Sport Trail, had his leg injured and suffered addl.ional bruises. Dubois, on Critic, escaped, and J. R. Kelly, on Accumulator, was well shaken up. Dr. Maxon, the favorite, raced to an easy victory, having led for the entire distance. Cleora, grouped with others in the field, finished in second place, and Pouter succeeded in taking third place after a sharp drive. E. B. McLeans Bosporus graduated from the maiden ranks in the second race when she came home in advance of fourteen other fillies that raced the four and a half furlings distance. Bosporous, under a good ride by Ambrose, took the lead when she reached the far turn and came away to win by a neck from Kitty Mullally, with Levity in third place. Bosporous was the favorite .and racing luck played a big part in her success. Continued on eisuleentU page. REIGH COUNTS DEBUT Continued from first page. Nora D., expected to be a factor in the race, had slight chance after L. McDermott took her completely out of it while enjoying a prominent position. J. T. Taylor saddled his first winner of the meeting when Col. J. S. Taylors "Isosasy succeeded in outstaying Otto in the third race. Isostasy followed Yargee from Ibe start. The latter ultimately finished in third place, less than a length back of the winner. After the winner had worn down Aargee in the final eighth, Otto gained swiftly on the inside and just failed to reach the winner by a head. Peiithorn, which attracted confident support, was away poorly and, running a bad race, was never a serious factor. Florinassa made paitial amends for the Penthorne Stables failure with Penthorn when he carried that establishments colors to victory over Thunder Call, Huonymous and •eight other two-year-olds in the fourth race. After disposing of Mary Gay soon after reaching the stretch the winner held on well to remain out of danger of Thunder Call. The latter only narrowly missed striking the winners heels at the eighth post and swerved repeatedly in the last eighth. The inconsistent Barbara came back with one of her best efforts to score a surprise victory over Florian. Irish Pal and seven others of the better grade three-year-olds and upward in the seven-eighths mile sixth race. The winner raced closer up than usual in the early stages and wore down the leaders in the stretch. She got up to beat Florian by a neck, after the latter had succeeded in wrestling the lead from the persistent Irish Pal. The latter set most of the pace. Dark Kagle, which found generous support, began tiring after three-eighths, and was a good distance back at the finish.
