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SURPRISE IN FEATURE Bocaratone Accounts for Inaugural Handicap at Bowie. Large Crowd Welcomes Return of Racing to Maryland and the East. BOWIE, Md., April 1. Bocaratone, racing for Mrs. A. W. Potter, in a close finish was winner of the Inaugural Handicap this after-Jnoon. It was the feature of the opening of the spring season in Maryland and it was a triumph for New Orleans over Miami, for it was at the Crescent City that the old gelding raced through the winter months, while A. W. Wentzels Pennant Lass, which was second, raced during the winter over the Florida track. Third place went to another New Orleans performer when Star o Morn, from the Black Dot Stable, led home M. Sterns Gun Royal from Miami. The opening of the Maryland season was a truly brilliant one, with the course of the Southern Maryland Association uncomfortably crowded. The weather could not have been improved upon and the sport was worthy of the great gathering that welcomed the thoroughbreds back. Nine started in the Inaugural Handicap and there was a long delay at the post before Milton could find an alignment to his liking. Then, as he released the barrier. Rapid Transit reared, while War Instigator was also away slowly. Pennant Lass, the stablemate of Rapid Transit, began fast and set the pace for her companion, but he was so unfortunate at the start that all she accomplished was to wear herself out. RAPID TRANSIT TIRES. Star o Morn went after the Wentzel filly and first it was Dinah Did Upset and then Gun Royal that followed in close order. Rapid Transit, well named and famous for his early speed, was far back by reason of his misfortune at the barrier and he was only showing the way to War Instigator. Workman moved up with Rapid Transit going to the far turn and the son of Honey-wood gained ground gallantly until he was in third place at the head of the stretch, but it had cost a big effort after the long delay under his weight and he tired before the eighth post was reached. Pennant Lass was holding Star o Morn safe and battling along gamely. Gun Royal had tired under the pace and was dropping back, but the lightly weighted Bocaratone was moving up on the outside. Cimerak timed his move to a nicety and, in the last furlong, the Potter sprinter responded gamely to race past Pennant Lass and be winner by a length going away. Star o Morn was at the heels of the Pennant filly and just half a length before Gun Royal. The race had a net value of ,460 to the winner and it was a notable renewal, though it was truly unfortunate that Rapid Transit should have been so unfortunate in the light of his brilliant performances over the Hia-leah course. Preston Burch began the season well when he sent out two in the opening half mile race to have Sweep All, from H. C. Fishers Dixiana Farm the winner, with Admiral Cary T. Graysons Up third. They were split by Joseph E. Davis Gigantic, a son of Trojan and Prodigious and as the race was run there is no doubt that Gigantic was best. GOOD START. Little time was lost and Milton got the field away in excellent alignment, with Sweep All a bit more alert than the others. He left from the inside stall and Kelsay rushed him along to such good advantage that he never was forced to surrender the lead. Foolhardy, from the Robert L. Gerry stable, and one that raced in Florida, went along with the son of Sweep almost to the stretch and Up, the stable companion of Sweep All, was not far back. Gigantic was in rather close quarters back of the leaders, but in a forward position, while Airliner, the H. P. Whitney starter, stumbled slightly as he left his stall and Was so slow to find his stride that he was soon helplessly out of the contention. It was turning into the stretch and after Foolhardy had enough of chasing Sweep All, that Gigantic came into contention. He had gone outside the others and was catching botli Up and Sweep All when he swerved in behind them and before Huff could find racing room for him he had lost his winning chance. The race of Airliner offered no idea of his quality, for when he was hopelessly out of it in the early stages. Workman eased him up. Of the twelve that raced here there were only three, Foolhardy. Jolly King and Sonny Fronk that had been raced during the winter season. 1 Continued on twelfth page. SURPRISE IN FEATURE Continued from first page. Rather a good band of plater sprinters started in the second race and it resulted in a Aictory for Florida when George W. Lofts Cog-Air, Avhich raced at Hialeah, AAas an easy Avinner over H. T. Archibalds Cry- stal Domino, also from the Miami Jockey Club course. Third AAent to J. Costellos Algol. Avhich did his racing in Cuba. Friar Cliff AAas unfortunate at the start and Avas Airtually left at the post. Algol Avas more alert than the others and raced away Avith the lead, AAhile HarA-ey had Cog-Air chasing after him under a slight restraint. Hypnotism Avas outrunning the others, while Crystal Domino AAas slow to be under AAay and further back. It Avas turning into the stretch that HarAey made his move with Cog-Air and he quickly raced past Algol to go into a lead that saw him safely OAer the line Avinner by fiAe lengths. Crystal Domino Avent a bit Avide at the head of the stretch, but crossed to the inside and in the last furlong gained fast to beat Algol for second place by a length and a half. Hypnotism Avas fourth at the heels at Algol. The third was a fiAe and a half furlong dash for three-year-olds and saw Joseph E. DaAis Colossal, an older brother to Gigantic. Avinner OAer Chlo Boy from the Loma Stable and Lee Rosenbergs Mr. Desmond Avhile Par-nell Bound, a Avinter campaigner, saAed fourth. In this. Colossal was as fortunate in the stretch as his younger brother Avas unfortunate. The leaders bore out and he saAed ground, but he had to be good enough to aAail himself of the opportunity. There Avas unreasonably long delay at the post for which almost eAery one of the seAen starters Avas more or less to blame at one time or another. The start was a good one, but there was crowding just as they came out of the stalls and Prometheus, the H. P. Whitney starter, AAas unfortunate Avhile the Avinner Avas also knocked back. Chlo Boy escaped the interference and he was the one to show the Avay with Parnell Bound close after him and Mr. Desmond Avas racing in close up. Chlo Boy Avas holding Parnell Bound perfectly safe as they raced to the stretch turn,-but there both Avent a bit Avide and Watters saAed ground Avith Colossal. The son of Trojan responded Avhen called on and slipping through, finished Avith excellent courage to be the Avinner by half a length. Chlo Boy fought it out to saA-e second place by a like distance from Mr. Desmond, Avhich also saAed some ground and Prometheus, after being far out of the running, gained some ground, but could not catch the tiring Parnell Bound.
