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CLOSE FINISH IN HEADLINER Parties and Madder Stage Spectacular Duel at Sportsmans Park — Port o Play Is Third. CICERO, 111., May 16.— The Rogers Park Claiming Purse, which engaged a band of high grade platers, was the feature offering on todays card. This resulted in one of the closest finishes of the meeting when Parties and Madder, which finished first and second as named, came to the end so closely aligned that only the judges could separate them. Port o Play was third and Princess Dare took fourth money. While Parties was one of the choices, the decision failed to meet with the approval of many who gave vent to their feelings when they uttered the usual boos which did not subside until after the official announcement was flashed from the infield. Wild Child led for the first time around, but was closely pursued by Madder and Luxury. The latter displayed signs of distress after the first three-quarters, and it was Parties that moved up to challenge for the lead. From the stretch turn to the stand Parties and Madder staged a bitter duel, with the former getting the decision as they flashed past the finish line. Port o Play offered a mild challenge, but failed to finish in his resolute fashion, and dropped back beaten, then Princess Dare loomed up with a belated rush, but was not good enough to menace the successful trio. Satin Spinner and Wild Child gave way completely, with the latter finishing last, far in the wake of her opponents. A courageous effort by Pictorial and a superb ride by jockey M. Dupuy were the principal factors in the victory of Lewis and Lenahans representative, which graduated from the non-winners ranks in the opening race. Dr. Jillson was second and Chicaloo finished third. The alert Dupuy had the winner away in motion, but Knight had Dr. Jillson in front as they rounded the first turn. After straightening for the run through the back stretch Pictorial moved up and raced head and head for the remainder of the distance and through the superior horsemanship of Dupuy got the decision by the short margin of a nose. The second race resulted in a surprise when Tight Rope upset calculations by reaching the finish in advance of Kingsport, which appeared a certain winner an eighth out. Flying Ambassador, the favorite, was third. The performances of Giblets, Thistle Vic and Fast Life should be disregarded, for they were practically eliminated by their loss of ground throughout the race. The defeat of Kingsport was quite a shock to his backers, who wagered with confidence. Semester accounted for his fourth victory of the meeting and the second consecutively when he won in clever fashion from George K, Jaipur and seven others of his age, which raced six and one-half furlongs in the third. The winner, a strong favorite due to his consistency, followed the pace under steady restraint in the early stages, moved up with a rush when urged and easily repulsed the challenge of George K, which had disposed of Jaipur, the early pacemaker. Foreign Play and Judan, which came in for considerable support, failed to overcome the disadvantage in their loss of ground, with the result that they finished far back of the successful ones. The public suffered another setback when Skipaway came from an unexpected quarter to win the fourth race. Noble Wrack and Ed L., two others that were neglected in the wagering, finished second and third, respectively. The well-backed Annete B. finished last in the field of ten, while Sam Cole, which came in for substantial support, failed to reach a contending position at any time.
