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EPSOM DOWNS LADIES DAY Unusually Large Turnout of Fair Sex Helps Swell Attendance. Racing Replete With Thrills Delights Crowd My Tommle Registers Ills Ninth Success of Year. HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 5. Racing replete -with thrills was furnished the largest Monday gathering of the turf enthusiasts of the current meeting at Epsom Downs this afternoon. Ideal autumn weather prevailed and it was Ladies Day, the latter being the reason for an unusually large turnout of the fair sex. , Close and thrilling were the finishes in several of the early races on the card, despite the fact that seven of the eight contests were given over to members of the claiming ranks, with an equally divided offering for sprinters and racers partial to a distance of a mile or more. The Hilltop Stables consistent chestnut colt. My Tommie, chalked up his ninth triumph of the year in fourteen performances when he came from behind with a courageous effort to register by a nose over Hearty, with Old State being the third to finish the payoff. It was a one-two finish for Texas patrons in this event. My Tommie ruled favorite in the betting and after outbreaking his rivals at the start dropped back to fourth place, while Hearty sped to the front and continued to lead the way until within the last seventy yards of the affair. Under a rousing ride from Warren Cornay, My Tommie charged on the leader, finally wearing down the Bedford Stock Farms colorbearer within the shadow of the judges stand. GIRLS CHANCE EASILY. Eight maiden two-year-olds met in the opener, a five and a half furlongs race, which was easily captured by Joseph Cattar-inichs Girls Chance over Flodur, the public choice, while Princess Bee pulled up third. The veteran rider, Harold West, who was astride Girls Chance; rode the filly in clever fashion, getting her to the front in the first furlong of the sprint and immediately taking a safe lead, after which he steadied the bay filly. Flodur was the chief contender from the start but Girls Chance came away in the last eighth to win with something in reserve, though she performed somewhat greenly during the stretch racing. The winner paid .70 for straightcertificates. A blanket finish thrilled the spectators in the second when the first four horses to reach the finish line were noses apart at the conclusion of the five and one-half furlongs. Bonsall was adjudged the winner over Wic-ces, while Moonsans number was dropped into the third position with the heavily-sup- : ported Scrip Money doing no better than landing fourth. OUTSIDER TO FORE. Wicces, which set the pacefor most of the contest, bore out when entering the stretch and Moonsan came up on the inside to enter a bid, but there was plenty of room along the rail for Bonsall and Scrip Money to come through and they joined the tussle a furlong out from the wire. Scrip Money broke slowly and was much used in reaching the leaders and tired within the last twenty yards, costing her the decision. Bonsall was an outsider in the betting, returning 8.90 for . Another stirring finish was provided in the third with Board Trade, the shortest priced victor of the meeting, nosing out Jay D. in the third at five and a half furlongs. Explorer took down the show portion of the purse. Jay D. showed the way to the field for the first quarter of the contest but Board Trade took.a long lead thereafter and appeared to have the situation well in hand. . But after entering the stretch the race took on a different aspect as Jay D. collared the" pacemaker before the furlong pole was reached and the pair engaged in a spirited duel through the home lane. It required a courageous effort on the part of Board Trade and a strong finish from jockey L. Lake to be returned winner on this occasion.
