view raw text
ODDS-ON CHOICE WINS » Easter Time Spreadeagles Opponents in Homewoods Feature Race. 1 Calf Roper Furnishes Outstanding Surprise — Warm Weather Prevails — Summer Attire Appropriate. ♦ HOMEWOOD, 111., May 28— Easter Time, the fleet son of High Time— Complexion, which races for Charles T. Fisher, of Dixiana. became the probable favorite for the Thomas Curren Memorial Handicap when he spreadeagled a band of highly regarded two-year-olds to win the third race on todays Washington Park program. The colt, a previous winner at the meeting, ran five furlongs in l:00f, to win easily many lengths in advance of The Whig, an outsider, which finished second. Lojo took third money. Easter Time, unbeaten in his only two starts, was highly regarded by the good crowd in attendance today and paid only .72. He ran as if those were close to the correct odds against him. After delaying the start for several minutes while he recused to remain in the stalls, he began quickly and it was not long until Earl Pool had sent him into a two lengths lead. He increased his advantage to three lengths approaching the stretch turn and, with most of his rivals tiring, opened up a big margin in the stretch and was taken in hand in the last sixteenth. His margin at the finish was six lengths. Despite the fact that it was known before the race that the Dixiana colt was a youngster of class, many in the crowd centered on Lojo and Paris Bound to defeat him. Lojo raced well in the early stages, but bore out in the stretch and was beaten by The Whig, which finished next to the rail, while Paris Bound was off rather slowly and was never a factor. ATTENDANCE LARGER. Warm weather prevailed again this afternoon and summer attire was more noticeable than ever. The program was a good one and the crowd was estimated at about 8.000. The track was in good condition and favorites, while failing to sweep the card, were prominent in all races. Fluent, a Kentucky filly which has started many times without being successful, finally entered the winners circle this afternoon when she beat a band of maiden fillies at five furlongs in the opener. She was close to Green Leaf, the pacemaker, in the early running and when the latter bore out in the stretch took command to win under urging over the favored Cousin Judy. A strong stretch charge earned third place for Verda. Pearl Grace, the second choice, was practically left at the post. The speedy but faint-hearted Green Leaf led into the stretch and just when it appeared that she might last to get part of the purse she bore out badly, ruining her chances. Jockey R. De Prema was on the winner, which paid 3.96. FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN. Calf Roper, making his first start in many months, scored a lucky victory in the second race. The contest, a claiming affair for the better grade sprinting platers, was at six furlongs and the winner, which races for the Three Ds Stable of Texas, got through on the rail in the stretch run to win by one length. Fiddler, strong favorite, was squeezed out of a prominent position turning for home and finished unplaced, Nifty being second and Lahor third. Nifty and Broad Meadows had ample early speed and the latter displayed courage in the final drive, while Broad Meadows tired. It was the fourth consecutive win for Calf Roper, he having scored three victories at Arlington Downs last fall. He was an outsider and was ridden by P. Dyer. Joey Bibb, the favorite, won the fourth race by a scant margin. After coming from third place to flatter his backers by taking a good lead in the stretch, he tired unexpectedly in the last twenty yards and just managed to outlast Outburst. The latter ran an excellent race. Outrun early, she came fast despite swerving in during the stretch run and would have annexed the purse in another stride. Empire and Lady Dean made the early pace and, although both tired in the final run, the latter managed to finish third. The race was at one mile and the start was good for all but Weideleen, which refused to break in line with the others. Joey Bibb was ridden by Willie Garner and was the second favorite of the day to earn brackets.
