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HOST TO LARGER CROWD Exposition Park Management Entertains About 10,000 Labor Day. Platinum Blonde One of Most Popular Winners of the Afternoon Fred Auerbach Makes Good. AURORA, 111., Sept. 5. The management of Exposition Park played host to a crowd of almost 10,000 Labor-Day. The turf fans of Fox River Valley, keen for their thoroughbred sport, turned out in large numbers to support the race course, which for years has been one of the most popular tracks of the district. Despite the fact that the horses which performed were an ordinary lot the results were satisfactory to the majority, as favorites fared well. Platinum Blonde, performing in the silks of Mrs. S. H. Fairbanks, was one of the most popular winners of the day. The filly was quoted at odds-on in the late readings and paid less than even money, but she raced as if she warranted such support. "Although in considerable trouble in the early running, the daughter of Blondin demonstrated her superiority in the stretch run when she went to the front to finish many lengths in advance of her rivals. Knowledge raced to second place, while Concisus was third. Fred Auerbach was well backed in the fifth race and justified the confidence of liis supporters by winning that contest from Circus Parade, with Black Lightning finishing third. The latter was the favorite, but jockey Walter Anderson, who is staging a comeback after a few years of inactivity, was blocked twice with the filly while attempting to get through on the inside, and the miss could not catch the early leaders. CHICAGO FANS DISAPPOINT. The afternoon was perfect for the sport, and, although the turnout of Chicago fans was again disappointing, the smaller cities in close proximity to the track sent a good sized quota of enthusiasts. The track was j fast. Prudie Broom ran the most impressive race of her brief career when she accounted for the introductory race. Badly outrun early, the filly finished with unusual courage in the stretch and smothered her opponents in the final sixteenth, to win as she pleased. Ciceronese also demonstrated considerable energy in the final moments to be second, while Sand Boot annexed third money. Bag Smasher, which seemed to be a standout horse in the second race, surprised, when, after winning, he paid good odds. The horse, which hd galloped to a handy victory opening day, was expected to be one of the shortest-priced animals on the card by students of form, but, regardless of his superiority, his backers were well rewarded. Bag Smasher was never in trouble, getting to the front early and winning as he pleased. Na Zdar was second and Jillion finished third. EQUALS TRACK RECORD. Garrick, which was recently purchased by Mrs. L. F. OLeary, equaled the mile and an eighth track record when he won the third race. The gray gelding, which was an outsider, persevered after getting to the front of Comradeship, the favorite, in the stretch and won in a gruelling finish from the latter. Comradeship, gifted with good early speed, headed Tiger Flowers in the early stages and, although showing determination in his effort to retain the leadership during the stretch drive, was not equal to the task. Tiger Flowers was third. Garrick completed the daily double with Bag Smasher and the combination paid 76.48, despite the, fact that Bag Smasher was a well-backed favorite. Jockey J. Flynn, who recently arrived in the Chicago district unheralded, rode his second winner of the afternoon when he put up a strong finish on Knockabout in the sixth race. The aged gelding, which has ver been partial to the Aurora track, was close to the pace set by Handsome Belle and Type from the start and proved the gamest of the trio when it came to a driving finish. Handsome Belle was second and Type third. Northampton was the favorite, but could not keep up and finished last. The distance was three-quarters.
