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THREATENS TRACK MARK Crout au Pot Gallops Three-Quarters at Aurora in 1:11%. » Defeats Indiantown by Half a Length to Take De Kalb Claiming Purse — Fanfern Third. ♦ AURORA, 111., May 14.— Evidence that track records at the Fox Valley Jockey Clubs track are in immediate danger was revealed this afternoon when Mrs. A. M. Creechs Crout au Pot thundered down the stretch to a half length victory over Indiantown in the De Kalb claiming affair, which featured the program for the day. Fanfern was a neck farther back in third place, with Odd Blue, the choice, in fourth place. The time registered was 1:11%, just three-fifths of a second slower than the record for six furlongs which was established in 1934. It was a nip and tuck duel from start to finish of the race, with Indiantown holding a slight margin over Fanfern and Back Log, while the ultimate winner brought up the rear of the field of six contestants. This order was maintained until they were straightened out for the run through the stretch, while the pace for the half-mile of the sprint was :46%. Streaking up on the outside with diminutive Charles Parke working hard, Crout au Pot gained rapidly on the leaders, but it was not until within the shadow of the finish line that Mrs. Creechs colorbearer was able to poke his nose in front. Crout au Pot added to his advantage in a steady manner after getting to the front to score the most impressive triumph of the season thus far. ATTENDANCE INCREASED. With the weather moderating considerably as compared with yesterday, there was an increased attendance at the course to view . and speculate on the result of eight well balanced claiming events. Best of the races offered was the De Kalb, which was placed sixth on the program and, despite the fact that it brought out the smallest field of the afternoon, the caliber of performers engaged more than made up for the lack of numbers. All of the six which were named in the overnight entries competed, and the track was in a fast condition, thus enabling better time to be recorded than was possible on Wednesdays card. The fifth race was another high price claiming contest that easily could be termed the secondary feature attraction, and it, like the headliner, was given over to members of the sprint ranks. A band of maidens met over a distance of a mile and seventy yards in the first race of the day, with Countess Bye gaining the verdict over Calawee and Shabonee in a close finish. Little Coquina set the pace for almost a mile of the journey, followed by Calawee, while Countess Bye raced in fourth position. When Little Coquina tired Calawee went to the front, then was joined by Countess Bye and Shabonee in a duel that lasted down to the wire. The winner did not receive much attention in a betting way, consequently those holding straight tickets received 6.10 for each invested. PAXCOAST DISAPPOINTS. Followers of the favorites received another jolt in the second, at five and a half furlongs, in which Pancoast was installed an odds-on favorite but the best he could do was land third money. Homer L. earned the decision by two lengths over Gold Thorn and was rewarded with 6 for straight tickets. Though Homer L. was in tight quarters in the first quarter of the race his rider elected to go to the outside of the field for racing room and made up ground rapidly. Gold Thorn was the leader practically from the start, but when collared by Homer L. did not have sufficient left to ward off his rival. Making his initial appearance of the season, More Poise took the measure of ten other juveniles in the four and a half furlongs dash, third on the program. Scotland Topsy finished second, a length in the wake of the winner. Valiant Boy accounted for third money. Displaying a fine brand of Continued on seventeenth page. THREATENSTRACKMARK Continued from first page. early speed, More Poise got to the fore in the first quarter but was closely pursued by Sacakawa and Equality. As the field swung around the stretch turn. Scotland Topsy came up in threatening manner but was not quite good enough to get to the front. The winner was second choice in the betting. A Blanket finish put the spectators on edge in the fourth race, which went to Sher-ron, the bay gelding coming from far out of it in the last quarter to win by a half *» length going away from Potion, which held a nose advantage over Golden X. Appearing a bit sluggish in the early stages, Sherron was far back, while Golden X. and King Pin alternated in setting the pace. Heading into the stretch, Sherron began to gain rapidly on his rivals while racing on the extreme outside, passing Golden X. and Potion, which were engaged in a duel, within the last sixteenth. Reeling off the fastest five and a half furlongs of the meeting — 1:05*— Ep easily accounted for the chief part of the purse in the fifth race. Busy Spain finished second, with Capt. Nadi holding on for third. Forcing the pace for a half mile, Ep had Capt. Nadi doing his utmost; then the seven-year-old mare swept into the lead at will. Once in front, Ep never left the result of the sprint in doubt and could have added to her advantage had little Charles Parke elected to ride her out to the fullest extent.
