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PARTY SPIRIT PAYS PRICE McDonnell Racer Outsider in Betting Despite Recent Showing. Finishes Neck In Advance of Indomitable In Commonwealth Handicap at Suffolk Downs Track. BOSTON, Mass., June 24. Party; Spirit, a horse that most folks believed should have been placed first in the New Hampshire Handicap at Rockingham Park, drove to victory in the Commonwealth Handicap, for three-year-olds, which featured a rainy days sport at Suffolk Downs this afternoon. It was the first start for the A. McDonnell racer since he was placed third to Faust by the camera at the Salem course. Party Spirit was coupled in the "tote" field with Gay Edward today and, despite the excellent race he ran in his previous start, paid off 8.20. At the end he was a neck in advance of Mrs. W. M. Jeffords Indomitable, completing the distance in 1:13 over a slow track. His previous race had also been run over an off track. Alfred Gwynne Vander-bilts Speed to Spare, coupled in the betting with Sobriety, was third in the Commonwealth, and Mrs. M. Cassidys Bill Farns-worth finished fourth. Conditions for the midweek program were very disagreeable. A drizzle came down all afternoon and the weather was chilly. This reduced the crowd, but some 7,500 fans braved the elements to see an excellent card. Indomitable began fastest in the feature, but was immediately overhauled by Speed to Spare, and the Vanderbilt colt set the pace down the back stretch. He was never far in front, however, being flanked by both Bill Farnsworth and Indomitable. The pair were about a neck back of him as they approached the turn. Party Spirit meanwhile was far in the ruck, but Vere Thompson was working his way up gradually with the gelded son of High Time and was close to the leaders midway on the turn. Entering the stretch Indomitable, which had dropped back for racing room, took the lead, and Party Spirit moved into second place. Speed to Spare had apparently shot his bolt and was third. They came down the stretch in this order, but at the sixteenth marker Thompson went to work on the winner and managed to get him up in time. He had the lead about fifty yards out and hung to it doggedly. Indomitable also hung on well under Long-dens stout finish. Speed to Spare was tiring at the end, but outlasted the tiring Bill Farnsworth by a length. Gleeman, the favorite, had little excuse. He was always within striking distance, but was found wanting in the drive. The others in the packed field of thirteen were never factors. J. T. Brantleys Miss Nico, recently shipped from Agawam, won the first on the card, sprinting five furlongs in 1:02 over the "slow track to defeat T. F. Swords Lady Day by her own length. The latter appeared much the best but was away slowly and was forced to make up a world of ground to gain the secondary award. She hung slightly right at the end because of her early efforts in finding running room. Cathy P., from the Mrs. Clyde Phillips barn, was third, two lengths in advance of Malispina. Anderson did not spare the gad and spoil the filly as Jackson did in Little Dinahs last race and as a result the F. W. Woodman campaigner galloped home in the six furlongs second event. At the end she was two and a half lengths clear of Mrs. V. Wyses Tornadic, with Miss L. C. Whites Blister Boy third. They ran for virtually the entire distance just as they finished. Baron Lynn, from the R. W. Collins barn, won the fourth race on the card, a rough and tumble affair, in which the winner, Holluschickie; Grand Jester, and Wulfstan all suffered from a jam on the far turn. After the race, Longden, who rode Wulfstan, the third horse to finish, made a claim of foul against Howell on the winner, for interference in the stretch. The stewards ruled that Wulfstan-was beaten at the time the foul occurred and" the claim was hot allowed. Kopel was suspended for ten days by the stewards after the race. It was the first suspension of the meeting. Mr. Pete, from the F. A. Carreaud barn, found a track to his liking in the sixth and scored by a length, drawing away from C. C. Pendergasts Plucky Baby in the mile and one-sixteenth event. The latter finished, very fast under McCombs urging, to take second place after appearing hopelessly beaten on the back stretch. Operators for the March of Time have been busy making news reels of Suffolk Downs, racing scenes, etc.
