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WILKERSON RACER TRIUMPHS « Epidemic Outruns Rivals in Stretch in Bainbridge Headliner. • Jockey L. Fage Pilots By Product to Victory Over Starkist and Shasta Love in Sixth Race. ♦ CLEVELAND, Ohio, June 10.— Epidemic carried the colors of Mrs. R. J. Wilkerson to victory in the Granwood Golf Club Purse, the principal offering at Bainbridge Park this afternoon. Commandman and Our Cherrycote fought for the leadership closely lapped until midway in the stretch. Epidemic then challenged and, overhauling the leaders a sixteenth out, drew clear in the last few yards. In the final drive Our Cherrycote outgamed Commandman for second place, although the latter had held on much better than usual. Grand Acre was prominent in the early stages, but the others were never serious factors. The sport was staged under ideal conditions and the weather was delightful. The track was at its best and the attendance up to the usual standard for mid week. Well ridden by the promising apprentice jockey L. Fage, By Product wore down Starkist and Princess Zelda in the final furlong of the sixth race to win going away. Starkist retained second place handily. In the final drive Shasta Love outgamed Rare Charm for the minor award. Princess Zelda tired rapidly in the last sixteenth. Something of a surprise occurred with the running of the initial race when Indian Rose II., despite a wide stretch turn, wore down Mote during the run home and got up in the last few yards. It was only after a hard drive, however, that she accomplished the feat. Mote raced Toltec into submission and drew away into what appeared to be a safe lead a furlong out but tired just at the end. Shorty gained fast next to the inner rail in the last quarter, easily disposing of the others for third. Moving up courageously on the outside in the stretch, J. F. Johnsons Prancing Step finished gamely and outlasted Top Cloud when the final drive came. It was a close finish. Top Cloud was never far from the leaders and took command when straightened out in the stretch. At the end he was hard pressed to save second from Lassa, which finished fast, closing a big gap following a slow beginning. Autumn Bloom showed a creditable effort, but Tollie Young and Dashaway, the early leaders, both tired badly.
