view raw text
DEDICATED AUSPICIOUS DEBUT CHICAGO-OWNED COLT Triumphant in First Appearance Under Colors This Year. Ranks High Among Kentucky; Derby Candidates Fridays Results at Lexington. LEXINGTON, Ky., April 18. Dedicate, the-ranking candidate of F. M. Burton and John S. Ward for the coming fifty-sixth running of the Kentucky Derby, made an auspicious bow as a three-year-old when he handily accounted for the Versailles Purse, a dash over the Futurity course, which, combined with fine weather, to attract another large crowd to. the local Kentucky Association track this afternoon. The victorious brown son of Dodge and On Time, under a well judged ride by D. Dubois, won by a good length over Ante Bellum, one of two starters furnished by H. P. Headley, and George Collins Thistle Ann; one of two fillies among the eight three-year-olds assembled for the race, was third. She trailed almost three lengths in the wake of Ante Bellum and had but a half length over Gallaher and Combs Fiddler, the victor having his first competitive test since last October, was a big favorite with the crowd and his victory accomplished in business like manner was popular and encouraging to his connections and followers for his approaching important engagement at Churchill Downs. Beginning fast and settling into smooth stride with amazing rapidity, the winner and Ante Bellum never permitted it to be more than a race between themselves so far as the more forward positions were concerned. Clarence McCrossen, on the Headley gelding, urged him briskly in sending him to the front, while Dedicate was not indulged in keeping within a half length of the leader. MAKES UP GROUND. When straightened up for the final quarter Dedicate slowly worked his way to the front and this after he had made an un- necessarily wide turn into the stretch. Ante Bellum continued resolutely after having been displaced as the leader with the result that he was not threatened for second place as Thistle Ann, which began slowly, wore down Fiddler for third. The return to competition of the winner marked the initial public appearance of one of the AVests most notable candidates for the Louisville fixture.. Star Play, an unseasoned son of Playfellow and Hildred, provided a big surprise with the programs opening when he just managed to account for honors over Lady Fingers, the staunchly supported starter of Gallaher and Combs. Abeth, carrying the colors of E. F. Simms Xalapa Farm, was third among the nine medium-priced three-year-old platers, which accepted for the sprint. The victor, ridden by Willie Garner and a maiden entering the ranks, came through gamely in earning the honors. Bold Robin forced his early pace in brisk order and, after Lady Fingers drew away into lead of a length in the stretch, he courageously wore her down as she faltered during the final sixteenth, to win by a head. IXTERESTIXG COXTEST. Blagk Comet, C. C. Van Meters son of Westy Hogan and Comet o Day and Deemster, a son bf Tryster and Deeming, in the stable of C. B. Dailey, provided an extremely interesting contest in the second race. Both were making their first start under colors and, while the Van Meter youngster was the recipient of such confident backing that he prevailed at odds-on, his performance so I slightly excelled that of Deemster that they raced to the finish of the half mile a nose apart. It was a head and head tussle between the two at every stage and the finish found them concluding their sparkling duel eight lengths in the van of Good Jest, the Greentree Stable starter and second choice. Garner rode his second winner when John S. Wallaces three-year-old Patricia Ann, which was making her first start, made it three straight for maidens in accounting for the third race, also decided over the Futurity Course. Black Cloud raced to second place and Selection led the six others, all from among the plater three-year-olds. The winner, a daughter of Whiskaway and Vision, took safe command of the situation after disposing of Monnie in the opening three-eighths and, maintaining her speed, was not endangered by Black Cloud as he closed with a rush through the stretch, G. Riley was no little time getting straightened away on Black Cloud, but saved some ground with him in the stretch and the winners final margin of almost three lengths left little doubt of her superiority. Eil-Weir, which Continued on twentieth page. CHICAGO-OWNED COLT Continued from first page. ruled as second choice to Black Cloud, failed to prove a factor at any stage. Caught in a bad jam during the opening sixteenth, Gallaher and Combs James M. proved himself much the best among the dozen inferior three-year-olds which met over one mile and seventy yards in the fourth race when he overcame the early ill luck and got up for an easy win. My Lava finished in second place, with Leah Jane only a head back. The result added another favorite triumph to the proceedings, as the victor was the strongest kind of a choice. His adverse luck resulted from the swerving of Granite Dust to the inside a short time after the good start and, forced far out of the running, he had much ground to close during the final half mile. Around the last turn and through the main stretch he moved up fast and, reacing the front, drew out to win by three lengths. I A
