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- fAST TRACK AT CRETE Footing Much Improved Over Previous Days of Week. Jodie K. Gains Head Decision Over Big Play in Beecher Purse Thrilling Contests. CRETE, 111., Sept. 30. Improvements all the way around over the previous days of the current week marked the racing at Lincoln Fields today, and those in the large crowd, which included a number of visitors for the Worlds Series, on hand for the sport, which was presented under summerlike conditions, found it as interesting as the most critical could hope for. For the first time during the week the track offered good footing, and the improved class of horses under colors were in most instances so well matched that the afternoons proceedings were productive of more thrilling, driving finishes than any one day during the meeting, now in its fourth and next to final week. In the Beecher Purse, a seven-furlongs dash for three-year-olds and older performers and in the position of honor on the fine off-day card, the three leaders charged the finish very tightly grounped, and it was by a short head that Irvine Korts Jodie. K., ridden by the promising Melvin Calvert, beat out J. E. Hughes Big Play for the major honors. A neck back Black Torch, Clyde Van Dusens representative, accounted for third, and Polyp, leading seven others, was fourth to pass the place of finish. BIG PLAY FAILURE. Both the winner and Black Torch came fast after reaching the last two furlongs, while Big Play failed after drawing into what appeared a safe lead approaching the last furlong. G. Elston had rated Big Play close to the early pace and when called on he soon sprinted into command, yet the lead he took fell short of withstanding the winners belated rush, and Black Torch was right after the two leaders in the furiously fought out finish. After breaking slowly, Tweeny, favorite, trailed almost to the stretch where improved speed permitted her to improve her position, yet she failed to reach a contending position. Scotland Beauty and Lady Ara faltered after displaying the most speed to the stretch. Calvert rode his second winner when he directed W. F. Axtons Sallie Bourland to victory by a half length over Sarsita in the South Park Purse, for two-year-olds, and sixth on the program. Meloy, which tired badly after leading in the field of eight to the stretch, managed to outstay Fayette Prince for third. The result here marked the outstanding upset of the day, most support developing for Soeur Blanche and Fayette Prince, while the winner was neglected, yet not nearly so badly as Sarsita. STAR BROOK LUCKILY. Two-year-olds of the better sort comprised the field for the opening race, the first of the season in the West at the seven furlongs distance for horses of this age and, well matched, they inaugurated the sport in thrilling style. James McGee saddled the winner in L. C. Youngs Star Brook, but he had to have the luck to win and, slipping through between the leaders in the closing sixteenth, he got up to score by three-quarters of a length over Glynson, which nosed out Bubbler, the favorite. Additionally, the winner saved much ground, while Bubbler and Spicson, which was fourth, lost ground throughout and, with the luck reversed, , they might have been the two leaders at ; the close of the distance. Spicson was , beaten but a half length for third honors. There followed another interesting contest and spectacular finish when the Violet Purse, or second race, for two-year-old maiden fillies and at the three-quarters distance, closed in the most spirited fashion. Night Jasmine, racing for L. J. Narbut and ridden by G. Arnold, was the winner, but she only made the step out of the maiden ranks by a nose and it was Bright Chestnut which gave her the bitter battle. Biota, whicft. finished third, was only a half length away and, like the two leaders, held on stubbornly when the real racing was on. A . Continued on twenty-first page. FAST TRACK AT CRETE Continued from first page. weak ride and some interference proved a combination too strong for Missie to overcome and she had to be content with the fourth part of the purse. Pigeon Hole, the former handicap star, which has been meeting with much success campaigning in the plater division, added another purse to his earnings when he scored over Son O Sweep, Englewood and four others at the mile distance in the third race. It was a very popular score, not only I by reason of the fact that the winner went I to the post an odds-on choice, but because I he has one of the largest followings of any I horse racing here at this time. Jaz Age was an offending choice in the I fourth race when he failed to iinish better I than third. Although he lost ground on the turn, he had no real excuse, both Skirl, I the winner, and Lucky Jack, the runner-up, proving too good for him. Skirl overcame I a bad break on the stretch turn, where he was taken back when blocked, and came on I in undeniable fashion when straightened I out, to win by three-quarters of a length, I as Lucky Jack, which was indulged with the pacemaking, outstayed the favorite by I a neck. Little contention was furnished by the others in the field of eight. 1 Acting for C. W. Bidwill, G. E. Lewis purchased the two-year-old Bichloride from Roscoe Goose. Jockey Willie Moran has been employed by the Greentree Stable and, following the Lincoln Fields meeting, goes to Latonia with that large establishment. Moran has been . exhibiting fine skill and should prove a valuable acauisition by this important stable.
