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PROVES REAL ROUTE STAR Alexander Pantages Much Best in Two -Mile Cup Race. Takes Lead at Tlirec-Quartcrs and Is Never Seriously Threatened It Is Climax of Fine Season. AGUA CALIEXTE, Mexico, March 31. Alexander Pantages, sterling California-bred son of Bon Homme, which races for the Alio Carrodlo Stable, was an easy winner of the Agua Caliente Cup Handicap, which had its first running at the popular Lower California course Sunday afternoon. His winning margin was five lengths and behind him came the favored Scimitar, while Wirt G. Bowman was third. Trieze finished fourth. Golden Sweep fifth and Naishapur a badly beaten last. Six horses went to the post. The victory of Alexander Pantages was exceedingly popular and as he dashed past the judges far in front of his opponents his supporters gave vent to their enthusiasm with resounding cheers. The winner received ,550 as his share of the stake, in addition to a handsome silver cup, which was presented to trainer W. Finnegan by Antonio Mareno, screen star. The son of Bon Homme undoubtedly was much the best horse in the field. Coming back after a brief rest frord his race behind Victorian in the Agua Caliente Handicap, he showed speed and endurance by making a show of his field and leading for most of the two mile distance. Ridden by jocjiey George Woolf, also a western product, he secured a good lead after going six furlongs and was never threatened. Starter Cassidy experienced slight difficulty in obtaining a start, but, after a two-minute delay, found them in perfect order and sent them on their long journey. Naishapur took the first leap in front, with Alexander Pantages and Scimitar breaking on even terms and the trio turned into the back stretch lapped on each other. Alexander Pantages had saved ground rounding the turn and Woolf was waiting his chance to send him to the front, while both Scimitar and Naishapur were under restraint. Turning into the stretch for the first time Alexander Pantages began to draw away, but many thought it was but a flash, and that the other two could overtake him when they chose. The backers of the favorite and the Wil-shire Stable were doomed to disappointment, however, as Alexander Pantages was not to be denied. He was a good hors2 on this occasion and Woolf, giving him his head, took a five lengths lead on the back stretch and, holding that margin despite the frantic efforts of others, finished an easy winner. Scimitar made his move as the field approached the stretch turn and gained slightly on the winner, but seemed to have but the one short burst of speed left. He weakened in the last sixteenth and was badly beaten at the end. Wirt G. Bowman did as well as could be expected for a horse of his caliber, while Trieze and Golden Sweep were outclassed. Naishapur was the great disappointment. This animal, one time favorite for the Agua Caliente Handicap, has tailed off greatly and is apparently in need of a long rest. After running close up for over half the distance, he began to tire. When jockey Maiben saw that he would not respond to punishment, he mercifully eased him up in the stretch. A crowd second only to that of Agua Caliente Handicap day witnessed the running of the afternoons ten race program and, while favorites failed in the majority of numbers, the patrons were well pleased with the sport. The day was ideal and the track fast. Alexander Pantages, winner of the big race, was bred at John McKeons ranch at Potrero, Calif., and has performed in consistent fashion on Tijuana and Agua Caliente tracks since the beginning of his racing career. His best races, aside from this performance, was his winning of the Speed Handicap last year and his fine second to Victorian in the Agua Caliente Handicap.
