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DURANGO IN CLOSE FINISH Captures George Washington Handicap at Agua Caliente Under Bobby Jones Skilful Riding. AGUA CALIENTE, Mexico, Feb. 22. Durango, a three-year-old son of the one time Preakness winner, Coventry, from Marie Augusta, a Jack Atkin mare, showed the way to a small but shifty band in the George Washington Handicap at Agua Caliente Sunday afternoon. Slipping through on the inside in the last quarter under the clever guidance of jockey Bobby Jones, the gelding defeated Joe Flores by a neck, while Marine was a fast closing third. Burton Agnes, racing coupled with Joe Flores, was fourth and Whipper Cracker brought up the rear. It is doubtful if Durango would have won but for the able handling he received from jockey Jones. The lad took full advantage of all opportunities and lost scarcely an inch of ground. Burton Agnes, with but ninety-two pounds in the saddle, set the early pace but after she had gone half the distance Durango moved up on the inside to challenge. The Coventry gelding, which was carrying the silks of James Emery, took a good lead when Burton Agnes swung wide at the stretch turn taking Joe Flores with her and, although Joe Flores finished gamely and was gaining, he could not get up. Marine made many friends by his showing and was traveling fastest of all at the conclusion of the contest. The largest crowd of the meeting witnessed the running of. Sundays program. Many motion picture notables were glimpsed in the huge throng which packed the club house and grand stand, and all boxes were sold for the day. The winner of the George Washington Handicap was decorated by Miss Louella Parsons, of Hollywood. It was a perfect day for the resumption of racing, and a warm sun was shining out of a cloudless sky. The track was at its best.
