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BAD WEATHER FOR SPORTSMANS PARK OPENING CHOICES HAVE GOOD DAY Flo M. Furnishes First Surprise of Meeting in Fourth. Defeat of Old Bill Disappointing to Majority of Crowd Chicagos Final Meeting of Year. CICERO, 111., Oct. 10. Chicago racing for the year swung into the final lap with the opening today of the National Jockey Clubs first annual autumn meeting at Sportsmans Park. Unfortunately, the day brought wet, wintry weather and while the unpleasant elements made conditions trying and held down the attendance those who turned out witnessed interesting sport. Choices won the early races on the card and several triumphed in spectacular finishes. Limit fields of ten participated in each of the first three events. Flo M., ridden by E. Arcaro in R. Bar-netts colors, was the first to turn back, a favorite when she splashed her way through the slop to victory over Old Bill, Belgian Lass and five others in the seven-eighths fourth race. Old Bill, ridden by the veteran Jake Kellum, dominated the betting and his defeat was a shock to many in the crowd. He made a gallant attempt to win and it was only by a neck that Flo M., which led throughout, succeeded in winning the race. Belgian Lass was a length and one-half back and six lengths before George K. CICERO POPULAR VICTOR. Ten maiden two-year-olds met at five furlongs in the opening race and it resulted in a decisive victory for Cicero, carrying the colors of Claude Hunt, former jockey. It was a popular score, as the winner ruled one of the strongest favorites of the day. Pent House finished second and Hugue third. Cicero had too much speed in the sloppy going for his rivals and while bearing out at the turns was not seriously threatened. After reaching the final eighth he drew out fast as Pent House tired and barely lasted for second. Raffles Chance also faltered badly in the stretch. Pollys Folly took up just, where she left off here last spring when she was one of the stars of the meeting, in accounting for the second race and like the previous winner she prevailed at short odds. La Golon-drina gave her the stiffest sort of a battle and it was only by a nose that she registered this popular success. Patangon, leading Outcry and six others, was third. A. Anderson, who had the mount on Cicero, also piloted Pollys Folly. BY CLOSE MARGIN. Another well-backed combination, this time King Cherokee and J. McLaren, was seen in front in the third race, also over seven-eighths, and again the finish was a driving one, in which the winner downed French Maid by a neck. Six lengths back Scandal Sheet saved third honors from Rasuli. After following in close pursuit of French Maid under steady restraint for five furlongs, the winner came gamely under pressure and, withstanding a long drive, got up in the final stages. After showing early speed Chattahoochee quit badly. Martha D., three-year-old daughter of Hourless, which won at Fairmount Park Saturday and was unloaded here yesterday, carried S. Gorbets colors to a decisive victory over Dollar Princess, Martie Flynn and five others in the Autumn Claiming Purse, the principal race. Martha D. overwhelmed Dollar Princess after the latter had shown the way for the opening four of the six and one-half furlongs and, drawing into command, won by three lengths and with speed in reserve. Martie Flynn was three lengths away from Dollar Princess at the close. Support here was well divided, with Dollar Princess closing favorite at liberal odds. Fidney Bender is accepting stall applications for the Oriental Park winter meeting opening in January. He reports that only 500 horses will be permitted to participate in the Havana meeting. This limit assures horses on the grounds plenty of opportunities to run. The Nash and Greely horses were transferred from Lincoln Fields Saturday evening. J. J. Greely, Jr., is in charge.
