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SPECTACULARCONTEST ♦ Windy City and Minotaur Stage Stirring Stretch Struggle. ♦ Orabner Colt Triumphs by Inches Due to Superior Riding Skill of L. McDermott. ■ HOMEWOOD, 111., June 11.— In one of the most spectacular contests ever witnessed in these parts, with the result in doubt until the last stride. Windy City and Minotaur fought for supremacy in the Derby Trial, with Windy City triumphant by a head, because of L. McUermotts superior riding skill. The race was run over a muddy course with the rain beating down. Only three started in the race. Judge Hay, the other starter, being well beaten after half a mile of the mile and an eighth journey had been traversed. Changed track conditions as a result of the heavy downpour which occurred at the finish ©f the third race, brought about Naishapurs ■withdrawal because of the muddy going. The track was held to favor Windy City, as he is known to be a superior mud performer. As a result he was backed to the exclusion of the other starters and ruled at prohibitive odds. The start found the trio away on even terms with Windy City at once taking command and Minotaur well back but, under hard riding and ridden close to the inner rail, he headed his rivals in the first quarter. Windy City followed him closely and was under restraint but, racing in the best footing, he passed Minotaur before the half mile post was reached. Judge Hay at this stage was done and an eighth further the race took on a complexion of a match between Windy City and Minotaur. muni DUEL. Minotaur was taken to an outer position ©n the lower turn, found firmer footing and moved up close to Windy City and the pair raced close together until turning into »he Stretch, when the terrific duel between the pair began. In the last eighth it appeared that Minotaur would prevail and he did reach the lead seventy yards from the finish, but Windy City came again under strong riding «.nd got to the finish a head in the lead. The duel between the pair created intense Interest and both horses were cheered lustily ©n their return to the stand. Cloudy weather culminated in a downpour before the afternoon had progressed far. During the morning hours a storm had visited the course and trainers hastened to withdraw their charges from the third and fourth races, making it necessary to declare these off and substitute two other races to complete the card of seven races. The running of the Derby Trial, with its promises of a spirited contest, attracted an immense attendance in spite of the threatening weather. W. II. Coes colors and jockey P. Neal continue in the limelight. The rider won the first two purses astride Santa Sophia and Cheers, both W. R Coe owned and outsiders in the betting. Incidentally, it marked the fifth straight winner that Neal had ridden, he having begun his work during the afternoon by piloting to success ir: succession Willa, Irene T. and Honest John. IN HOLLOW FASHION. Santa Sophias success came in hollow fashion when she was home ten lengths before eight other two-year-olds. Tea Cracker was closest to her at the finish, with Theo. Rochester in third place. The entire field was strung out over a distance of nearly a sixteenth of a mile at the finish. A mixup on the first turn, when several of the starters attempted to swerve out, resulted in most ©f the starters being taken up. Cheers victory was a spectacular one and after a rare display of gameness, in which he determinedly set about to wear down the leading Scotland and succeeded in the last few strides,. Scotland had been the leader from the start and an eighth out appeared to have the race at his mercy, but began tiring tinder the pressure he was subjected to and gave way to Cheers in the last few strides. Isora D. finished in third place, with Mino following closely and Amilear beaten off. In the third race, a substitute for the original, Her Answer was tne winner after he had put to a severe test to wear down George Stack. The latter, from a fast beginning, showed the most speed, but began tiring When reaching the last eighth, but was best ©f the others and followed Her Answer home closely. Goaway raced well to land in third place, with Helline, a w Ml backed one, never figuring seriously. Gold Boots created some sxcitement by a runaway of half a mile be- Continued on twenty-fourth page. SPEaACULAR CONTEST Continued from first page. fore the start and keeping the others a considerable time at the post. The track, as a result of the steady downpour, seemed to be favorable for Walter R., which showed a game effort under a strong ride to outstay Sandyman. The latter began fast and displayed good speed, disposing alternately of Sweep-Net and House Boy, but giving way to Walter It. when the latter challenged. Sandyman would also have been beaten by Ham for second place in a few more strides. The latter came from far back in the stretch to land in third place. The darkness and rain made it difficult to distinguish the colors. Grand Dad, at home in the muddy going, was an easy winner of the sixth race, in which he led for the entire race. Pride landed in second place after a game effort to get to and wear down Red Spider. In the earlier stages Pride was far out of it, but closed an immense gap in the stretch. Trainer Thomas J. Healey advised during the afternoon that he would ship ten horses here Wednesday. The consignment will include the Derby eligibles Dr. Freeland and African.
