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BIG CROWDS AT AURORA AND SPORTSMANS PARK * BURNING UP SURPRISES ♦ Denemark Racer Easy Winner of Auroras Inaugural Handicap. * Ideal Weather and Track Conditions Prevail — Noted Political Leaders Witness Good Program. ♦ AURORA, 111., May 2— Staid old Exposition Park, scene of the present revival oi racing in Illinois, started up against serious opposition this afternoon and came through • with flying colors. Despite the fact that Sportsmans Park, Chicagos newest racing plant, swung into action on the same day the gathering at the Aurora plant compared favorably with that of former years. Fully 12,000 people from Chicago, Aurora and suburbs watched the opening program under ideal weather and track conditions and their enthusiasm gave evidence that the turf sport is far from being on the wane in thia vicinity. The feature, as usual, was the Aurora In augural Handicap and Burning Up, Mrs. E Denemarks four-year-old, which campaigned in Cuba and Florida through the winter without winning a race, was successful. Seemingly favored by the climate of his own native state, Burning Up, an outsider in the wagering, showed the early speed, which made him so formidable in handicap ranks last spring and won in a canter from Fortunate Youth, while Portmanteau finished third. The distance of the race was six furlongs and the winner ran it in 1:13. He paid 9.94 and was ridden by jockey Tony Sala-zar, an apprentice boy from the far West. HOT SHOT SETS PACE. When the start came Hot Shot was off in the first flight and soon took command, but it was not long until Burning Blaze was at his heels. The ultimate winner moved to the front as the field made the far turn and, quickly opening up a two length lead, increased it until he was five lengths before his rivals at the end. Tannery was the favorite, but racing in four bandages, was blocked on the far turn and was never prominent thereafter. Uncommon Gold staged a strong finish to be a fast going fourth. Eight horses started. Among those who saw the races were Lt. Governor Fred Sterling, Stuyvesant Peabody, John C. Schank, Senator Richard Barr, Judge Joseph Sabath, Charles Bidwill, Robert M. Sweitzer, Judge K. Scanlan and numerous of Chicagos leading political lights. Tiverton, a two-year-old daughter of Whiskaway — Alinka, which did most of her racing during her brief career on a slow track, proved that she could negotiate the fast going as well when she won the opening race for owner W. C. Goodloe. Favored by an inner position in a start which was made almost on the turn, the miss dashed to the front at once and, saving all possible ground under the guidance of jockey J. McCoy, was never headed. She was forced to do her best during the long stretch run, however, to hold Epona, the favorite, which challenged determinedly in the last eighth. Epona finished far in advance of Stambul. which was third. Eleven went and Tiverton, but mildly supported, paid 7.02. COME ON SCORES. Come On ran a strong race to win the first long distance event of the day, which came fifth on the program. Blocked in the early running, the five-year-old gelding had to be best to win. He was in last place as the stretch turn was approached, but hard urged by jockey Richard, picked up his rivals in the long home lane and won easily. Foolhardy, recently arrived from the west coast, set the pace and managed to finish second, while Lucky Carter was third. Come On, which performs in the colors of Mrs. H. Gaines was well backed and his victory was popular. He paid 0.02. Halliard, a field horse, made it a double for trainer J. D. Larkin when he was a surprise winner in the third race. Larkin had saddled Tennywood, victor in the previous encounter, and sent a "sleeper" to the post in the form of Halliard. The four-year-old, which had been beaten off in all previous efforts, showed good speed over the Continued, nil eleventh. t.tina i | ! BURNING UP SURPRISES Continutd from first page. Exposition Park track and won easily from Bob Blackburn, while Drury. a bad actor, finished third. Sentiment was divided between Lawyer and Bess Cloi previous to the race, but both were in close quarters and failed to take any part of the purse money. The field paid 5.56. while the Daily Dou- ble, with Halliard and Tennywood the win- ners, paid 74.46. Laurie, which has been showing but little form on western tracks, ran one of his best races to win the honors in the sixth. Credit for the horses victory must go to apprentice C. King, who was riding for the first time today after a recent injury at Tanforan. The lad rated his mount well in the early stages, and Laurie, after setting the pace, had enough left to withstand the final challenge of Popcorn, which finished second. Third money went to Vanquish.
