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JOBIOSO VINDICATES BACKING i Cantankerous Gelding Never Gives 3 Followers Moment of Concern. Epsom Downs Monday Program Given Over to llaters Spirited Contests I.eep Texas Fans on Edge. J 1 HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 19. Racing en- 1 tered its final week at the Epsom Downs 1 course Monday afternoon with one of the largest week-day gatherings of the entire meeting thus far and under ideal weather and track conditions. Though claiming races had the run of the whole card from the beginning to end, ! the Beaumont Claiming event at a mile and 1 a sixteenth and fifth on the program, served as the main attraction of the day. The program was wholly lacking in class, j but despite the ordinary caliber of thoroughbreds which competed, the eight races were productive of highly interesting sport. On numerous occasions nip and tuck stretch duels and nose finishes served to enliven 1 the festivities. It was the final Ladies Day program of the Texas Breeders and Racing Associa- tions autumn meeting and the members of the fair sex turned out en masse to enjoy the hospitality of the management of the Houston course. JOBIOSO EASILY. The first successful favorite of the day connected in the fourth race when the heavily-backed four-year-old chestnut gelding, Jobioso, flying the dark blue silks of C. Rothwell, easily defeated seven others over the five and a half furlongs route. Canu-see drew down the place portion of the purse and Muy Pronto took show money. Jobioso never left the result in doubt at any stage of the affair, as the son of Cantankerous La Belle, under the guidance of jockey Herb Simmons, was in front throughout, opening up a length lead in the first quarter which was steadily increased to two and a half lengths at the conclusion of the journey. It was Simmons second victory of the day, he having piloted the winner of the opening race of the afternoon. , A blanket finish resulted in the opening event, a six furlongs contest that brought together a capacity field of maiden three-year-olds and over, and Coltman was awarded the decision by a nose over Sarah, one of the field horses, while Miss Ward was a nose farther back in third place. Epi Witch, the choice, landed in fourth place. Lady Chiniquy and Epi Witch displayed most early speed and they battled for more than a half mile of the sprint, then Miss Ward moved to the front in the last sixteenth, only to give way to the challenge of Coltman, which forced his way through to catch the eyes of the judges first. The winner returned 4.40 for straight wagers to his backers. THRILLING FINISH. Again the spectators were provided a thrilling finish in the second, a dash of five and a half furlongs, when A. G. Tarns veteran campaigner, Moosan, was up in the closing stride to nip Oklaqueen at. the wire and gain the decision by a nose. Sharp Thoughts finished third, a half length behind Oklaqueen. Oklaqueen sprinted to the fore soon- after the field was dispatched, but was hard pressed by Vanda Cerulea, and as the latter quit at the stretch turn Sharp Thoughts took up the challenge. After heading into the lane, Sharp Thoughts succeeded in taking a slight lead, but weakened in the ensuing struggle and failed to outlast the courageous Oklaqueen for the place money when Moonsan charged down in front. Swing Corners trimmed eight other ordinary two-year-olds in a five and one-half furlong3 dash in the third event, coming from behind in the last furlong to register by the comfortable margin of two and one-half lengths over the tiring Noir Light. Min-dalo was third, while the favored Who Said finished back in the ruck. After a delay of five minutes at the starting gate Noir Light broke in front and, under a hard drive, held a slight advantage to the stretch turn, where he moved away from Mereta. However, when straightened into the stretch, Swing Corners, which had been racing in fourth place, came up with a rush and did not experience much difficulty taking command.
