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THORNCLIFFE PARK OPENING * Marked by Fast Race in Which Track Record Is Equalled. » Boom Gallops Mile and Seventy Yards In 1:43 to Cnpture Thorncliffe Spring Handicap — Dignus Second. • TORONTO, Ont., May 28.— The Thorncliffe Spring Handicap, which was provided as an attraction by the Thorncliffe Racing and Breeding Association for the opening day of its seven-day meeting, furnished a stirring contest, in which Boom came from behind in the stretch to get up in the final strides to win by a head from Dignus. N. Wall, who had ridden Boom in all of his races here this spring, had the mount and rode a well-judged race. In the early stages he was satisfied to race along in last place, delaying his effort for the final stages. In the meantime Dignus was out in front with a long lead and at one stage Boom was a dozen lengths back of her. The pace was very fast, the first quarter in :23% and the half in :47. At the half mile post Dignus was setting it, eight lengths in front of the favorite. Prickly Heat. Dignus was still in front, with a fix length lead at the three-quarters, which were run in 1:12%. Walls then began to shake Boom up a bit and the horse responded with energy. In the last quarter Dignus early efforts began to tell and she was tiring. Boom gained on her in the last sixteenth and, finishing straight and true, wore her down to get up in the last few strides. Clearance was third, beaten a length for the place, and then came Prickly Heat, another half length behind The mile, in 1 :38%, was the fastest that tne distance had ever been run at this track and the mile and seventy yards in 1 :43 equalled the track record for Thorncliffe. Jockey Fishman and Goeland proved a winning combination in the first race when Goeland came from behind in the stretch to wear Rose Spot down and at the end won going away by three-quarters of a length. Goeland was a well-backed favorite. When the start came Rose Spot left with a fine burst of speed and before they had gone an eighth opened up a lead of five lengths on Goeland. Fish-man rode a determined finish on the favorite, driving her to the limit and she responded with splendid courage. The starting gate stall was used for the first time at Thorncliffe in the third race. A big crowd made the trip over to the post to watch the start. Point of Honor was the only one that was a bit fractious and he walked through the webbing a couple of times. They were at the post but two minutes when the field was dispatched to a perfect start. The speedy Rockady led to the stretch turn, where Leonard B. went to the front and, drawing away without effort in the last eighth had a four lengths margin at the finish. Rockady was a neck in front of Silver Song. The Seagram Stable broke into the picture when Ferry of Fate beat J. C. Fletchers Ichitaro by a neck in the running of the Kilties Purse. Taurus was the one to make the pace and, with Ferry of Fate and Ichitaro in close pursuit until after passing the half mile pole, Ferry of Fate moved up on the outside to take command and entering the home stretch Ichitaro had worked his way up and was on almost even terms with the Seagram racer. The race resolved itself into a battle between these two. Young Mc-Ginnis proved the strongest finisher and in the final drive put it over the diminutive A. Maclvor.
