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FRA DIAVOLO AT BEST Closes With Usual Burst of Speed to Take Crete Feature. Thatcher Colorhearer and Basil James Prove Popular Combination With Lincoln Fields Spectators. CRETE, 111., Sept. 30. Basil Jame3 and Fra Diavolo, which 7-r--.es for R. C. Thatcher of Colorado, a combination1 that had thrilled Chicago racegoers on several previous occasions, aroused a chilled crowd to near-frenzy as th three-year-old gelding came from last place in the field of six in the stretch to win the Calumet Purse at Lincoln Fields today. Bandalore took down second honors, with Yantis, to which Fra Diavolo was second choice, third, and Baltimore Boy fourth. Dark Zeni, which ran fifth, and Ito, were the only other contestants in the seven furlongs event, which served as the days feature. Negotiating the distance in 1:27H over a track that was heavy but still softened some by occasional showers, Fra Diavolo won by a length and one-half to carry James to his second success of the afternoon. Bandalore beat Yantis a length, with Baltimore Boy only a neck away at the end. The other two were far back. Ito and Bandalore fought it out for the pacemaking assignment and after going a half mile the former began to drop back. Bandalore then held sway to the final sixteenth, where she in turn gave way to the winner. On the turn and just before Dickinson launched his move with Bandalore, his mount appeared to force Yantis, Dark Zeni and Ito into a bad tangle, and for the offense he was suspended for the remainder of the meeting by the stewards. Both Ito and Dark Zeni dropped back fast thereafter, while Yantis came on to reach second place, then hung in the drive as Fra Diavolo overtook him, as did Bandalore. DISAGREEABLE WEATHER. The day, cold, dreary and damp, was the most disagreeable of the meeting, indeed, of the entire Chicago season, and the attendance, though light, was surprisingly good for such weather. Rain fell intermittently during the afternoon. The Mount Prospect Purse at six furlongs, engaging seven better grade juvenile platers, was the chief supporting attraction and in it the heavily played Exclaim, from the Roscdale Stable, was up in the last few strides to win the decision by a nose over Alice G. Shatterproof was third, a length off the leaders, and another half length in front of Crulia. T. Dickinson, who rode the winner, lodged a claim of foul against Basil James, who had the mount on the runner-up, before the officials placings were made, and when a photograph showed the Rosedale representative to have won any way this complaint became that much lost motion. However, Continued on thirty-fourth vage.
