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ALTO MERELY CANTERS ♦ Louis-Joliet Hotel Purse at Aurora Romp for Winner. . Peacock Blue, Todge and Slapped Earn Purses — Sun Finally Breaks Through. AURORA, 111., May 12— The locally-owned Alto, under the silks of George Fenn, scored a well earned victory in the fifth race titled the Louis-Joliet Hotel Claiming Purse. This was the only race of the day that tested the Btarters over one mile. The victor, under the riding of J. W. Frye, who signalled his return to the saddle after a five-day suspension, began in his usual slow manner, and did not gain until the field had traversed the first quarter when he moved up to fifth place. He remained there while Dreamy Belle and Crowned Head fought it out for the lead, in which duel the former gave way badly after turning for home. Crowned Head then drew into a commanding lead, but the winner was moving up with rapid strides and as they came to the final eighth, Alto was on even terms. From there home it was just a canter for the victor, which came to the end two and one-half lengths to the good, while Crowned Head had no trouble getting to second place in advance of Spanflow, which was four lengths behind. ATTENDANCE LARGE. The unpropitious weather continued, which served to keep the track in its heavy condition. However, Old Sol broke through for a brief period, but along towards the later part of the day the skies became leaden with heavy clouds. One of the largest crowds of the meeting was on hand to view the sport. A rousing finish came with the running of the sixth race, which engaged five sprinters over three-quarters, when Shady Girl drove to the end a head in front of Done For. Chiltenny, which ruled an odds-on favorite, was third. From an almost perfect start, Chiltenny raced to the front and held sway to the stretch, where he gave way to Done For, which led the procession to well into the stretch. Then Shady Girl came to the fore with a determined challenge, which put her in close attendance. Done For and the winner were subjected to some strong urging, and they raced like a team to the end, with Shady Girl getting her head in front as they flashed past the imaginary wire. The ride of jockey Jimmy Ketry was a big factor in the victory as the lad used good judgment when he was outrun in the early stages, and his saving of much ground worked to an advantage in the bitter struggle that ensued for supremacy. SLAPPED GRADUATES. Mrs. A. M. Creechs Slapped graduated from the non-winner ranks when he scored a decisive victory in the third race, which engaged eight maidens. The winner, held at odds-on in the speculation, never gave his admirers much concern about the final result after going half a mile and when he began moving up to More Anon, which set the early pace, he wore him down with ease to win under steady restraint. More Anon had fine speed in the going and, beginning from an outer position, soon got a clear lead. He raced along in front to the final eighth, where the winner got on even terms and when More Anon failed to resist the challenge, Slapped drew out to pass* the finish line six lengths in front. The real thrill in the race came when the third and fourth horses drove to the end noses apart, with Falsehood outstaying Ciceronese for his placing. Saucy Maria, pronounced favorite for the fourth race, chalked up her second consecutive victory when she proved best of the ones that opposed her over five and one-half furlongs. The victress, slightly outrun for a quarter, came outside the leaders with good speed, and it was no task for her to supplant Bobs Luck. She increased her margin as they made their way through the stretch, and at the end enjoyed a margin of two lengths over Emmaline H., which raced to second place. The latter, a natural - Continued on twenty-second vaaej ALTO MERELY CANTERS Continued from first page. slow beginner, was at a disadvantage through her laggardness and was forced to lose much ground, but she came through with a fine burst of speed in the final stages but not strong enough to menace the winner. After giving way to the first two, Bobs Luck raced evenly to take third. Dr. Rogers, which raced prominently for three-eighths, gave way completely and failed to be a factor under punishment. w —
