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GREY COUNT TRIUMPHS Leads All the Way in Niles Center Purse at Homewood. Three Derby Hopes Show Little in Washington Park Headliner Sparta Best in Fifth. HOMEWOOD, HI., June 16. The American Derby stock of at least three which were considered probable starters in the 5,-000 race Saturday took a drop when they failed to finish in the money in the Niles Center Purse, mile feature of a gloomy-day program here at Washington Park today. E. E. Fogelsons Grey Count won the test, making every pole a winning one over the good track and through a pelting rain, while the three-year-olds which failed to display sufficient running qualities to recommend them as Derby contestants were Teddy Green, Yellow Tulip and Sunset Trail II. Closest to Grey Count at the end of the eight furlongs, which the Fogelson representative negotiated in the creditable time of 1:38, was Valdina Farms Cross S., as the Bedford Stock Farms Robert L. finished third and Mrs. Emil Denemarks Prairie Dog fourth. TWO FOR CORBETT. Grey Count, carrying Charley Corbett to his second win of the day and ruling a slight favorite in the betting, ran a game race to achieve his triumph, for he cut out his own pace, withstood repeated challenges from Prairie Dog and still had enough left in the final eighth to draw away from his company and win by two lengths. Tiring from his repeated efforts to catch the Reigh Count colt, Prairie Dog weakened in the final eighth, where Cross S. and Robert Continued on thjrty-ninth page. GREY COUNURIUMPHS Continued from first page. L. moved up to earn their respective shares of the purse. Cross S. might have finished closer to the winner but he lost much ground running wide at the head of the stretch, -while Robert L. was among the leaders from the beginning. Of the American Derby candidates in the race, TeddyGreen gave the most creditable performance, for, after breaking well he was unable to keep up early. Kept on the outside, he gradually improved his position, but when set down in the stretch he bore to the inside and near the finish his rider, Basil James, became a bit timid as the Tranquillity colt threatened to brush the inside rail. But for this, he too might have offered sterner opposition. Murph, which was second choice to the inner and which was making his first start since last November, lacked the necessary punch to get into the real contest at any stage, though he was prominent for a little more than half the distance, after which he fell back to take his defeat by almost a dozen lengths. Yellow Tulip gave a performance similar to that of Murph, the Bomar Stable horse falling back steadily after going about half the distance. Although a steady rain fell all .afternoon the size of the crowd" was surprisingly large and speculation brisk. The track held up remarkably well under the unceasing precipitation but late in thp day it appeared it might be going into a sloppy condition. Cross Keys, which performed erratically on several occasions in company not so well regarded, took a notion to run kindly and beat a smart band of maiden two-year-old fillies over five furlongs in the opening race. Included in the field which opposed the youngster were several which on private trials seem destined to become useful performers. Cross Keys, ridden by Bobby Dot-ter, raced around the leaders on the stretch turn, forged to the front when straightened in the lane and then continued on to score easily by two. lengths. Mighty Sweet raced to the place, while Clematis was third and Airegla fourth. The favorite, Shandon Queen, eliminated herself by bolting shortly after the break. JULIA GRANT REPEATS. Under the capable handling of jockey Charles Corbett, J. M. Hubbards Julia Grant scored her second straight victory by accounting for the second race, a sprint of six furlongs which engaged a field of twelve. The favorite, Transport, raced to the place while Jabberie finished third and Boots Greenock fourth. When unable to outrun Transport, Julia -Grant was taken in hand until straightening out for the run through the stretch and then she gradually wore down- the pacemaker, getting up right near the end to win by a neck. Sun Erin and North Blaze raced well up to the stretch and then gave way, Jabberie and Boots Greenock moving up in the final quarter to earn their respective shares of the purse. The racing days of the consistent old Billy Jones, a frequent winner under the colors of the Woolford Farm, came to a close today when he broke down badly during the running of the third race. The eight-year-old son of Sweep on Aurora, which won nine races in 1936 and three this year, was made an odds-on choice for todays engagement but the old fellows legs, unsound for a long time, gave way on him as he was fighting it out for the early lead and he had to be pulled up and be removed from the course in the horse ambulance. Later it was found necessary to destroy the gelding. Victory in the race went to C. E. Davisons Repaid as "American Prince finished second, Ottoman third and Bohemian Lass fourth. JAMES ON WINNER. The Blackstone Purse, six furlongs fourth race, for three-year-old fillies, saw the Tranquillity Farms Alice G. carry Basil James to victory. Second honors went to Cosette as Lucky Ducky finished third and Shatterproof next. The favorite in a rather open betting affair was Virginia J., which was in close quarters going into the turn and after being taken back never recovered. It was Lucky Ducky which came over on Virginia J. and also on Suncrax, forcing them to be eased. Scoring her first victory of the year, H. P. Headleys Sparta captured the Grade "B" Handicap which was offered as the fifth race to enable Jockey James to ride his second straight winner. The well-backed daughter of St. Germans turned back, in order, Bootmaker, Lady Montrose, Chance Ray and Grand Manitou, which ruled a slight favorite over the Headley filly. Bootmaker and Chance Ray were coupled as the entry of Mrs. Emil Denemark. Sparta was restrained off the early pace, but began moving up on the outside on the turn. She gradually forced her way to the lead in the straightaway and at the end of the mile and seventy yards was in front by a length. She ran the distance in the cred-jitable time of 1:42.
