view raw text
FURNISHES SURPRISE • _ Bather Easily Defeats Eligibles for Fairmount Derby. ♦ , Startling Improvement Over Previous Race — Big Crowd Witnesses Excellent Sport. • COLLINSVILLE, 111., May 28.— Fairmount Derby eligibles were given an opportunity in the feature race today and five three-year-olds that may start in Saturdays biff fixture here, if their owners choose to let them, tried conclusions. It resulted in a big upset because of the victory of W. M. Ingrams Bather, the extreme outsider, which triumphed in spectacular fashion over Lieut Russell, while Jack Haskell, the pronounced favorite, finished in third place. Louisville and The Padre were the other Derby pros-expects, with Islam the other starter. In a previous race Bather had shown to poor advantage and his sudden improvement was as surprising as his victory. He raced in close pursuit of Lieut. Russell in tho early stages, moved past him with a rush when straightened out in the stretch and held the Audley Farm representative safe in the last sixteenth. Jack Haskell, under poor riding, was allowed to drop far out of it soon after the start but succeeded in getting into his stride when racing on the back stretch and gave promise approaching the final quarter that he might overhaul the leaders. He tired, however, when pressed hard and showed a dull performance on the whole. Louisville and The Padre never figured seriously and were beaten off, as was Islam. The entire field lacked Derby class, and it is doubtful if they will be among the starters next Saturday. IMPROVED WEATHER. Improved weather was a factor in bringing out the big crowd that witnessed some fine sport, featured by several exciting finishes during he afternoon. The track, while bone dry, was dull, as indicated by the ordinary time in some of the races. The introductory dash number brought together a dozen ordinary platers and victory for Atoi, a well backed one, over Polar Sea, with Patsy H. in third place. They racsd closely grouped for most of the way, Atoi sprinting away from the others during the last sixteenth to be a handy winner at the end. Polar Sea and Patsy H. had been strong factors from the start and both began tiring near the end. Theo Red, which was expected to be a strong factor, had little chance to race to his best, because of a poor send off and faulty handling that subjected him to much interference. Angel Bright, a winner in her former start ran a good race in the second, which brought her victory in one of the closest finishes ever witnessed here. Lady Emblem and Wood River followed her, noses apart. Angel Bright benefited by being away from the post fast and she immediately joined Lady Emblem in pacemaking. She continued gamely in the stretch and alternately shook off Lady Emblem and Wood River for the lead. They were almost on even terms at the finish but in another stride Wood River would have been the winner. Perjury was another that showed to advantage in the race and he is about ready for a winning effort PROMISING RACER. J. C. Milam uncovered a possible good one in his Knight Commander, a first-time starter, which made a show of the other maidens in the race. Knight Commander acted somewhat fractious while on the way to the post but began well and raced close to the leaders to the stretch, where he came away to win with ease from Blessing and Will Banks. G. Collins earned his first purse of the meeting when Thistle Star, the favorite, was home a handy winner in advance of the four other fillies that started in the one mile race. Thistle Star raced as if best and indulged Sport Dress and Angelena with the lead, but took command when called on in the stretch and drew away decisively in the last eighth. Angelena received considerable betting attention, which forced her odds down steadily. She flattered by racing in much improved fashion over her preceding start at this track, but she was not good enough for the winner. Sport Dress surprised with a high flight of speed that sent her into the lead in the first quarter after she had been last to leave the barrier. Her early effort told on her in the stretch and she barely stood off Jean Bruce for third place. Beau Aspin and Blue Blood furnished and spirited duel in the stretch for the purse in the sixth race, with Beau Aspin winning by a matter of inches. Uncle Boot finished in third place. There were twelve in the race, the leading pair having an advantage by a fast beginning and managing to get away; from the others. They virtually had the race between them for the entire distance. Uncle Boot began slowly and was far out of it for half a mile but, racing close to the inner rail, he saved much ground and, coming fast in the stretch, took the smaller poi*, tion of the purse.
