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SAZERAC TRIUMPHANT Conquers Good Field in Derby Trial Handicap Victory. Iietellier Racer Concedes Weight and Leads Bertjohn, Crystal Prince and Springsteel. NEW ORLEANS, La., Feb. 27 Sazerac, .which races for A. B. Letellier of this city, registered his third victory in successive starts and became one of the choices for the Louisiana Derby, to be run here March 19, when under top weight of 118 pounds he scored in the mile Derby Trial Handicap, the stake feature on todays eight-race program at the Fair Grounds. Holding to his task in tenacious fashion, Sazerac outstayed E. R. Bradleys Bertjohn, to which he gave ten pounds, by a neck, and P. C. Thompsons Crystal Prince finished third a length and one-half off the Bradley colt. Only seven started, and Springsteel, S. ,W. Labrots home-bred, which carried 115 pounds and ruled a strong second choice to Bertjohn, finished fourth, leading Prince Farthing, Jimmy Sutro and Princess A. O. The winner, a finely-made and good looking son of Westy Hogan and Resistance, was ridden by Charles Landolt, who accorded him faultless handling while directing him over the distance in 1:39. Those who backed the winner received odds of 43 to 10. LOSE GROUND. Aside from a considerable loss of ground at the first turn sustained by Bertjohn and Crystal Prince, the race was truly run, and the running found the winner forcing Springsteels pace under steadying restraint for three-quarters, following which he drew into clear command, and in a mild drive withstood Bertjohns challenge. After going wide at the first turn, Bertjohn, ridden by Willie Garner, was a good distance away from the rail during the remainder of the contest. He bettered his position slowly and bore up boldly under a long, hard drive. Crystal Prince turned in an even effort and wore down Springsteel in the last sixteenth for third place. The race, final important preliminary jneeting of the leading Louisiana Derby candidates here, carried ,540 in purse money for the winner, 00 for second, 50 for third, and 00 for fourth. The day was set aside as "Flower Day" and local florists sponsored all of the races, providing large baskets of flowers and bouquets for the owners of the winning horses. All women, out for the afternoon, received ilowers when entering the course. FLOWER DEALERS HONORED. In honor of the flower dealers, the fifth tandce, or principal sprint, was named the "Say It With Flowers" and it brought the first mild upset when Angry and Broad Meadows, which shared favoritism, bowed to the Greentree Stables Surf Board and Allen and Reids Abdel. Surf Board and Abdel battled it out in thrilling style and it was only by a head that Surf Board, ridden by H. R. Riley, downed his bitter rival. Angry finished two and one-half lengths back and Jed Broad Meadows by a like margin. They ,were used up making the early running and .weakened badly when the winner and Abdel jcharged under better judged rides. Weather and track conditions were of the best and the pleasant, balmy and sunny elements were a contributing factor to a large attendance. The sport opened in popular fashion when Albazano, making his first appearance under the colors of B. P. Sparks and 11 to 10 favorite, scored a lucky victory over Make Believe in the introductory race. Twelve started, and Tiger Flowers saved third from . Trudgeon. But for repeated swerving in the stretch, where he persisted in bearing in behind the leading winner, Make Believe might have won. Near the end J. Sylvester succeeded in bringing him to the outside of the winner, but he was unable to get up and lost the race by a half length. Tiger Flowers, which saved ground throughout, was six lengths back of Make Believe at the end.
