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EASY FOR SPANISH PLAY « Runs Fast Mile Over Dull Track at Washington Park. ♦ Jockey R. Jones Scores Double During Day — Miss Melody Triumphs at Long Price. ♦ HOMEWOOD, 111., June 2.— The Del Prado Hotel Purse, which brought four of the best handicap performers of this course together, was the feature at Washington Park this afternoon and proved to be one of the most interesting contests of the meeting. Three of the animals raced heads apart for over half the journey, but in the final drive Spanish Play, the favorite, proved best and won easily. The Knebelkamp and Morris star remained in third place to the stretch, then went to the front and finished over two lengths in advance of Prince Atheling, the extreme outsider, while Pittsburgher was third and Dr. Freeland fourth. The race was one mile from the chute and from a good start Dr. Freeland got to the front in the first quarter to take a short lead. Pittsburgher and Spanish Play were close up in that order, with the latter on the outside and Prince Atheling several lengths back. On the stretch turn jockey Jones sent Spanish Play to the front and when he cut to the rail at midstretch and interfered with both Pittsburgher and Dr. Freeland, Spanish Play took a good lead and was never threatened. With both Pittsburgher and Dr. Free-land tiring. Prince Atheling came fast on the outside to take second money. Pittsburgher was forced to take up slightly in the stretch, which hampered his chances. FAST RUN RACE. The time of the race was 1:38 "5, which was considered very good when it is taken into consideration that due to last nights rain the track was not at its best. Jockey Bobby Jones made it a double on the day by riding Spanish Play to victory and the colt paid .78. The weather was quite sultry and the attendance showed a slight increase over that of Wednesday. Head Play, favorite in the first race, had little trouble disposing of his opponents. The two-year-old son of My Play — Red Head graduated when he led all the way in the five-eighths event to beat eleven others of his own age. Fortunate in drawing number one post position, the winner had an advantage and, dashing to the front at the rise of the barrier, took a good lead at once and . was in hand at the finish. Mt. Washington, always close up, raced to second place and Daudet came from far back to be third. Head Play paid but .50. Volta Maid, considered strictly a front runner, came from behind to win the second race over a good band of sprinters. Jockey T. P. Martin had the Severson filly off none too well, but she lost little time in reaching a contending position and, getting through on the inside of Judge Primrose, the pacemaker, on the stretch turn, led thereafter. Monks First, an outsider, was a game second and French Honey finished third. High Proof was backed into short-priced favoritism, but after remaining close up in the early stages, quit when put to a drive in the stretch. Volta Maid, which is a candidate for the Illinois Oaks to be run on Saturday, ran three-quarters, over a track that was a trifle deep, in 1:15. OUTSIDERS IN FRONT. Outsiders shared in the division of the purse money when the favorites failed in the third race. Lillian Z. was the choice, with Moms Polly and Terry Rose well backed, but ail three were unplaced, the w*« ler turning up in Miss Melody, from the stable of Stuyvesant Peabody, vice president of the Washington Park Jockey Club. Jockey R. Jones rushed Miss Melody into a forward position soon after the start and she got to the front in the stretch to lead to the end. Voltina, a western filly, was second and Next , Call, a field horse, finished third. The prices all through the board were very good. The race was for two-year-old fillies over five furlongs. A. A. Baronis Zida came back to the races fresh after a winters rest to win the fourth race as she pleased. The mare, a consistent winner last season, seemed better ■ than ever and made a show of a large band . over the mile distance to win by five lengths. . She went to the front early and was never • headed. Blast, which was about split favorite • with the winner, met with early interference • but was good enough to best Jane ! Packard for second place. Jockey W. Wright, , who is under contract to Baroni, rode Zida, , wiisii paid 0.98.
