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CROWD EXCEEDING 10,000 Present for Saturdays Eacing at Popular Epsom Downs Track. Takus Registers In Hard Driving Finish to Defeat B Eighty by Margin of Nose. HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 3. Choices scored with unusual regularity in the early races on todays program at Epsom Downs, with a crowd exceeding 10,000 persons in attendance, the largest thus far during the meeting at the Texas Breeders and Racing Associations track. Ideal weather prevailed and the track was in a lightning-fast condition for the eight-race card, which proved excellent entertainment despite the fact that small fields contested in all races except the second and eighth. The second Texas triumph was recorded in the running of the third race when D. J. Sullivan III.s Takus registered in a driving finish to win by a nose over B Eighty. Strange Times accounted for third. There was a delay in confirming the result, as jockey Charles Parke, who had the mount on B Eighty, lodged a claim of foul against Ray Hightshoe, the rider on Takus. After a little deliberation the stewards disallowed the claim. It was a head-and-head duel between Takus and B Eighty all the way, first one, then the other taking a slight lead and when the field approached the stretch turn, Takus came over slightly, carrying B Eighty with him. Within the final furlong Takus took the lead, but was out to the last ounce in order to hold off the challenge of B Eighty, which came again under severe punishment and barely missed getting up in time. IMPROVED PERFORMANCE. The days activities were opened with a Texas victory when Mrs. V. Wyses Parva Stella, ridden by Raymond Hightshoe, came through with an improved performance to easily defeat Bunty Ann and Hard Boiled in the five and one-half furlongs sprint that brought together a band of seven platers. Parva Stella was away with the leaders and before a sixteenth was traversed the chestnut filly moved into a commanding lead, which she retained throughout, widening her margin during the stretch run instead of faltering, as she was wont to do in her previous appearances thus far. Bunty Ann closed with a rush but was never in a position to make matters interesting for the winner, which ruled favorite. Cleverly ridden, W. E. Balls chestnut geld- lng Gale Way enabled the favorite followers to connect for the second time in a row when he scored in the second, another race at five and one-half furlongs. Cheka was a length tiehind in second place, while Morley Firth was a tiring third. Nine went postward, and "Chuch" Parke, who was astride the winner, hustled his charge: away from the gate, but Was accompanied by Morley Firth on head-and-head terms for a half mile of the distance. As they rounded the home turn Gale Way drew into the clear, but the verdict was no certainty, as Cheka, which was in the rear during the early stages, made a, determined bid to overtake; the .leader and was gaining gradually as the finish mark was gently on Gale Way and was rewarded with approached. However, Parke worked dili-a well-earned decision.