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PREFERRED WINS AGAIN ♦ Three in a Row at Aurora for Ladkin Horse. » — Exposition Park Track Drying Out Rapidly Under Sun and Wind — Ready for Derby. AURORA, 111., May 17.— The Batavia Claiming Purse was the best race on todays card. S. C. Rumage furnished the winner in Preferred, which won in handy fashion, leading home Fiddler, Odd Star, Gay Prince and Justice B., which completed the field of five. The fact that the five starters in this all wore four bandages established somewhat of a precedent and a condition which seldom exists in regards to equipment. The winner, which is in top form at present, scored his third straight victory by wininng todays feature and he scored in the same decisive manner which marked his last victory. Odd Star displayed her good early speed by racing into the lead and was closely followed by Justice B., and then came Preferred, which was well in hand for his early effort. Odd Star continued in the pacemaking until well into the stretch, then M. Parke sent the Rumage horse up with a rush and he soon disposed of Odd Star, and as she tired Fiddler came to the fore with a mild challenge, which failed to threaten the flying leader. However, Fiddler kept at his task and this despite a decided dislike for the track, and when they closed the engagement Preferred was leading Fiddler by four lengths, while the latter had a similar margin over Odd Star. GOOD WEATHER. The weather was all that could be desired for the racing and the track, which has been heavy and holding, was rapidly yielding to the work of track superintendent Placide Frigerio, and improved time was made in all the races. Another large crowd was on hand and, while the favorites disappointed, the winners came in for strong support. After many unsuccessful attempts First Regiment graduated from the non-winners class when he won decisively from seven other maidens, which matched strides in the first race, at five and one-half furlongs. The winner began a trifle sluggish, but jockey Jimmy McCoy went right after him and had him in second place as the field rounded the turn. Continuing with good courage he soon disposed of the favored Parade Step, then drew out to win by six lengths. Run Buddy and Prudy Basil took second and third, respectively. SURPRISE IN SECOND. Sprinters of the lower grade made the contest in the second number and this resulted in a decided upset when Princess Carolyn, ■under the colors of William Schmidt, who races under the nom de course of the Superior Stable, came to the end a length and one-half in advance of Pauly, which was making his first start in over three years, and the aged Caravan, which drew the bulk of support, closed his engagement in third place. The winner was kept well up under mild pressure, while Caravan and Pauly fought it out for the lead. When Caravan gave way Pauly took a brief lead, but Princess Carolyn continued with improved speed and wore him down in the final stages to win drawing away. While Pauly was not good enough to repulse the challenge of the victress, he gained second laurels by a two-length margin and Caravan held Tight Rope safe by one length. Non-winners in 1933 clashed in the third and for this C. Lemons saddled the winner in Shift, which won in a gallop. The French Rose raced to second place, while Maximum finished third, holding that position throughout the running. The winner was given a hustling ride by apprentice Ray Arnold, who had the old gelding off in motion. He was quickly joined by The French Rose and they raced around the turn like a team. As they straightened out for the run through the stretch, Shift shook her off and it was no task for him to maintain his advantage thereafter, fin- Continued on twenty-second page. PREFERRED WINS AGAIN Continued from first page. ishing with five lengths to spare. After giving way to the winner The French Rose was subjected to strong urging to hold Maximum safe and just managed to outfinish him, getting her placing by a nose, while the latter led home Ciceronese by two lengths. The first three had the race between them at all times, with Ciceronese making the only gain of the five others that started. Monty M. scored his second victory in as many starts when he easily accounted for the fourth race, which engaged half a dozen juveniles. The winner, cleverly ridden by the veteran Pete Groos, was reserved behind the pace of Charming Sir. When the latter tired, the victor sped to the front to win well in hand by a length and one-half. Candle Fly and Customer, which failed to keep up in the early stages, finished second and third respectively. Charming Sir, was rushed to the front after the start, but jockey T. P. Martin was right after him with Little Donald and had his mount in the lead as they made the turn. Little Donald found the going too hot and soon was supplanted by Charming Sir, but he too gave way to the challenge of Monty M. after a brief duel. Then came Candle Fly and Customer, from rearward positions to fight it out for second place honors with the former getting home with a two and one-half length margin, while Customer just got up in the final strides to nose out the faltering Charming Sir for third money. Alto came right back with another decisive victory when he proved much the best of the six distance performers that tested their speed over the one mile and seventy yards route in the sixth. The winner, much the best, followed the pace under restraint in the early stages, moved up rapidly when urged, got to the front in the stretch and won easily by four lengths. Crowned Head, which was slightly outpaced for a half, showed improved speed thereafter and reached the finish line in second place, while Kybo and Bob Custer, which had indulged each other in a bitter duel almost from the start, came to the end noses apart, with Kybo getting the decision. 1
