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JACK HOWE SURPRISES « Runs One of Best Races to Take Auroras Chief Offering. ♦ Ladies Day Responsible for Attendance of About 8,000 — Track Fast for First Time in Many Days. ♦ AURORA, 111., May 18.— Jack Howe, the five-year-old gelding that performs for J. C. Ellis of Dade Park fame, found his racing legs today and led all the way to win the fifth race, a claiming handicap, which brought out the best field of the afternoon. He ran five and one-half furlongs in 1:06% to win by over a length from Little Gyp, with Bag Smasher a bang-up third, and Peggy J. and Sage Fire not far away. The gelding, which was soundly trounced recently in the same running time, picked up seven pounds today and ran one of his best races. He had the same jockey, T. Demasi, in the saddle, but the lad showed much improvement in his riding. He performed well, never allowing his mount to lag and riding him out at the finish. Peggy J. kept pace with the leader for a quarter, but was shaken off, and Little Gyp was the one that was threatening at the end. On the strength of his recent ordinary effort, Jack Howe was overlooked by the wagering public and paid the good price of .90. Peggy J was favored. LIGHT RAINFALL. The day was cloudy and a light rain chased the patrons to cover about the time the feature race was being run, but aside from the light sprinkle and strong wind in the early afternoon it was fairly pleasant. The attendance, which was augmented considerably by the ladies, who gained free admittance, was about 8.000, and the track was fast for the first time in many days. Jockey Lefoy Cunningham gave C. M. Mc-Kenna a hustling ride to land that gelding home winner of the second race. The animal was slightly outrun for the first quarter, but caught American Thunder, the early leader, on the stretch turn and, taking command, led to the finish. American Thunder, although tiring, had little opposition for second place and Cash Play, favored for the fourth time at the meeting, again disappointed and was third. A field of ten started and all but Lena M. escaped interference. Favorite players, who have been experiencing trouble keeping their accounts on the right side of the ledger since the meeting opened, again suffered another setback when My Sweets, heavily backed choice, failed to get any part of the money in the opener. Amour, a Bon Homme filly making her first start since Jefferson Park, was the winner, with Bayamo second and Chaumiere third. The latter set the pace, but was nipped in the last furlong by the first two. My Sweets was in close quarters and ridden none too strongly in the stretch. Amour was an outsider and was ridden with good judgment by R. Watson. ESCOSTAR ALL THE WAY. Escostar, vanned over from Lincoln Fields to run in the colors of the Superior Stable, was the first horse started by that outfit at the meeting. She earned a purse when she led all the way to win the third race in a driving finish from Cousin Judy, with Dixiana third. The winner got off fast and before a quarter had been reached had opened up a five-length lead. This early advantage enabled her to win, as Cousin Judy was coming fast at the finish and was beaten by a half length. Jockey F. C. Smith, who made his Aurora saddle debut this afternoon, was on the winner. The largest purse of the afternoon, that of ,000, was hung up in the fourth race and Celtic Prince was the winner. The gelding, after several ordinary races, found his footing on the firm track and led all the way, to finish a length before Playfellows Dream, while Racketeer was third. Celtic Prince was ridden by the improved apprentice A. Dickey and had a safe margin throughout, although tiring at the finish. Playfellows Dream closed fast after being outrun to the stretch. The distance was one and one-sixteenth miles and the winner paid . Because of their bad actions at the barrier on Saturday Thistle Duke, Josephine D., King at Arms, Black Stockings, Silver Leaf and Miss Beryl have been added to the schooling list.
