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IMA COUNT HANGS ON » Maintains Nose Margin Over Pat C. in Thrilling Finish. Close Races Thrill Big Crowd at Aurora — Jockey Chojnacki Again Displays Riding Skill. • AURORA, 111., May 8.— Close finishes thrilled an excellent week-day crowd of thoroughbred followers at the Fox Valley Jockey Clubs track here this afternoon, with the Princeton Claiming Purse, at five and one-half furlongs, providing the best sport, as it resulted in a blanket finish with Mrs. A. M. Creechs Ima Count scoring a nose decision over Pat C, which in turn held a like margin over Ep. Ima Count, an even money favorite in the wagering, was the first of the day to measure up to the expectations of the speculatively inclined customers. The victory was the hardest earned of the day, as it required all of the skill and cunning that diminutive "Chuck" Parke possessed to keep the tiring son of Reigh Count in front to the end. Displaying his customary early speed, Ima Count quickly assumed the lead as the field was released by starter Johnny Morrissey, and before a sixteenth of a mile had been traversed the five-year-old chestnut gelding opened up an advantage of a length and a half on Pat C, with Ep close behind in third place. Heading for home, Ima Count began to fly the distress signal and it was time for young Parke to get into action with might and main. Diligently applying whip and boot, the youngster from Idaho managed to keep his mount going long enough to account for the major portion of the purse. Pat C. and Ep crept closer and closer to the tiring leader and a roar went up from the crowded grandstand as it became evident that the favorite was in danger of being overtaken. But Ima Count was adjudged the victor as the trio swept across the finish line. ALL CLAIMING RACES. Though todays entire program was composed of races of a claiming order, it was well balanced, with the Princeton, a five and one-half furlongs sprint, topping the offering. Eight of the list of eleven named in the overnight entries went postward for the dash, fifth on the card, bringing out several first-time starters at the meeting. Unlike the past few days, distance runners had more opportunities today, three races being arranged over a distance of more than a mile. Splendid weather and a lightning fast track was the order, and these, combined with the program, attracted one of the best week-day attendances thus far to the Fox Valley course. Apprentice G. Rukas came back to pilot the winner of the second, which was captured by the lightly regarded Eva R. The filly held a length advantage over Sister Vinie at the conclusion of the six furlongs sprint, which was designed for three year-old maidens and winners of one race. Captain Jeffers landed the show portion. Following close behind Sister Vinie for the first half mile of the race, Eva R. responded quickly to the bidding of her rider as they straightened out in the stretch, and the black filly had to put forth her best effort to gain the advantage over the early pacemaker. Backers of Eva R. received 7.60 for straight wagers. COMPLETE LOCAL SUCCESS. A complete local victory was achieved in the first race on the card when Mrs. E. Oros Ricciardo, ridden by apprentice G. Rukas registered by a nose over Miss Flip after a hard stretch drive. Paradise Maid finished third. Ricciardo was on the front of the procession from start to finish, but it required all of the reserve of the seven-year-old gelding to ward off the challenge issued by Miss Flip during the last furlong of the race. Our Justice, the favorite in the betting, was far out of contention for the entire route. Red Go, with apprentice Frankie Chojnacki in the saddle, formed the winning combination in the third race, another three- Contxnued on third page. IMA COUNT HANGS ON Continued from first page. quarters of a mile dash for platers. Maebee finished second, and Jolyon was next in order as the finish line was reached. Performing in a manner that indicated the four-year-old chestnut gelding was best of the dozen starters, Red Go had no difficulty in chalking up the victory, holding a margin of two lengths after having showed the way from the very beginning. Poppinalong attempted to catch the pacemaker for the opening half mile, but in vain. Maebee then made a bid after turning for home, but thia too, proved futile. A thrilling finish resulted in the fourth contest, at six furlongs, in which there were nine starters. Evening Gown, ridden by F. Chojnaeki, got the decision by a nose over Oderic, with Lo, the choice, finishing third. It was Chojnackis second triumph in a row. Billy ONeal cut out the running, followed by Lo, with Evening Gown in fourth place. A furlong out from tho finish Evening Gown began to mow down Billy ONeal and Lo, getting to the front within the last sixteenth, but Oderic sped after the leader with a great burst and barely missed nipping the bay daughter of St. James in the last few strides,, . . . . . .1 L j vi i I ■
