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ROMAN SOLDIER CAPTURES THE TEXAS DERBY " ADDS TO HIS LAURELS Easily Defeats Whiskolo and Whizz-away for 5,000 Added Prize. Proves Superiority Over His Three-Year-Old Rivals Before Closing Day Crowd of 25,000. ARLINGTON, Texas, April 20. Charging through the stretch like a conqueror of old, Roman Soldier, Elwood Sachsenma?er and Phil Reuters sterling son of Cohort, won the third running of the 5,000 added Texas Derby before a crowd of 25,000 that braved inclement weather this afternoon to witness the final program of the most brilliant racing season offered since racing was revived at the magnificent Arlington Downs course nearly three years ago. Ridden by Lester "Duke" Balaski, who drove the- late William Sachsenmaiers Plight to victory in the 1934 renewal, Roman Soldier reached the finish two and a half lengths before Mrs. F. C. Mars Whiskolo, which beat W. T. Paynes Whizzaway by four lengths for second. The race was not without a mishap, for W. A. Jones Furfiber stumbled and fell as the field entered the back stretch. Wayne Wright, who came here to ride the horse, escaped injury, walking back to the judges stand. Thomas C. Wordens Prince Splendor, which was in the thick of the fight from the start and which probably was largely responsible for the downfall of Whiskolo and Whizzaway, saved fourth from South Gallant, a stablemate of the winner, Cross Ruff, Back Fence, McCarthy and Eddie J., which finished in the order named. BEST COLT WINS. Despite the mishap, undoubtedly the best colt won. He went away with the leaders and raced on the inside for three-eighths, where Balaski took him to the outside to start the "determined rush of the winner. Responding like a soldier he gave all, and but for swerving slightly in the stretch he probably would have established a greater margin at the end. With the exception of Whizzaway, which caused a slight delay at the start, the field was on its best behavior, and Roy Dicker-son sent them away in good order. Beginning fast, Roman Soldier displayed a tendency to take command, but Balaski steadied him and allowed the speedy Prince Splendor to take the lead before reaching the back stretch. However, he failed to withstand Whizzaway, which forged to the front to have a clear advantage at the end of three-eighths. Woolf drove Whiskolo up in the thick of the battle, and the trio went along on nearly even terms until entering the stretch. There Woolf drew his powerful stick, and Whiskolo assumed the lead to draw clear with consummate ease. Roman Soldier was not to be denied and, sweeping past Whizzaway in determined fashion, he gradually shortened Whiskolos margin. A sixteenth from the finish he was in oommand and from then on he drew away steadily. WINNERS SHARE 1,175. Five moneys were distributed, with Roman Soldier drawing down 1,175 as his share, and ,000 going to second and ,000 to third, ,000 to the fourth, and 00 to South Gallant, for a total of ,500 for the Mars establishment. A steady drizzle, which started during the early morning hours and lasted until the horses paraded for the first race, prevented the attendance from reaching a new high mark for Texas racing. Despite the inclement weather, many visitors made the long trek from San Antonio, Houston, Galveston, San Angelo and Corsicana, Oklahoma and Arkansas cities. The fans appeared not to mind the unpro-pitious conditions, and a holiday spirit prevailed all through the afternoon. The clubhouse was the .scene of many luncheon parties, and it was necessary to place a great number of tables on the terraces and in the lounging rooms. Leading lights of the civic, business and political world rubbed elbows with those not so fortunate. Luckily, large fields were named for six of the eight races, and requests for with- Conlinued on thirteenth page. ROMAN SOLDIER CAPTURES THE TEXAS DERBY Continued from first page. drawals due to the slow condition of- the track were promptly honored this morning. The original thirteen named for the Texas Derby remained in the race until shortly, before noon, when T. C. Worden decided to! place his sole reliance on Prince Splendor. The withdrawals of Wise Player and Dark Woman followed soon afterward. With the exception of the first race, which attracted the leading juveniles to have enjoyed Arlington Downs competition, the other races supporting the feature carried the claiming clause. To take care of those wishing to wager on the Derby, extra windows were opened after the running of the second race. Despite the uncertain track conditions, choices enjoyed a banner afternoon, and when Joe L. Roberts Genteel Lady led Penncote, Snaplock and seven others from the better grade sprinting platers to the finish of the Waggoner course in the fourth event, it marked the third triumph for those held in greatest esteem. Empty Bottle, highly regarded and consistent Jock colt that races for Mrs. E. B. Carpenter, added another victory to his most imposing record when he carried 120 pounds to a handy score over Liz F., Kai Harri and five other juveniles that .met at four and a half furlongs for the Republic of Mexico Purse, that opened the program. Ridden by; George Woblf, Empty Bottle a 9 to 10 choice, took command at the start to hold sway, throughout and reached the finish slightly more than a length before Liz F., which got up to head Kai Harri for second. With the exception of Chance Queen, which held third position during the opening quarter, the others were never factors. The San Angelo Stables Elanbee made a runaway of the second race at the Waggoner course distance when she took command at the start, and after sprinting into an eight-length lead, reached the finish a length before Seymour, which was much better than Gypsie Chief. The latter, which shared favoritism with Wise Revue, tired after forcing the pace to the final furlong. Paul Keester became the leading rider of America when he drove Mrs. J. L. Wilsons venerable Flag Bearer to a popular score in the third race. Forest Avenue was second and Beige third at the end of the Waggoner course sprint. Keester had the winner in the van soon after the start and, after establishing a big advantage, he held the horse there long enough to repulse Forest Avenues belated threat. It was the eightieth victory of the year for the Kentucky lad.
