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BIG MID-WEEK CROWD Watterson Hotel Handicap Days Feature at Churchill Downs. Holton Graduates in Opening Race — Brierton Wins Third Race in Thrilling Finish. LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 25.— With interest mounting as the spring season in Kentucky approaches its holiday closing next Monday, and superb weather and racing conditions prevailing for one of the more attractive other than stake cards of the meeting, old Churchill Downs was host today to one of the largest mid-week crowds in some time. The track was lightning fast and there was not a cloud to shield the sun, the rays of which were tempered by a delightful breeze. Enticed by the weather, some en-thusiasts came from Lexington and other Kentucky and Ohio River Valley points for the afternoons sport. Three races fashioned for the more capable performers were included on the pro- gram, which embraced the usual eight events. Topping the card was the Watter- son Hotel Handicap, a sprint of seven fur- longs, which brought out a field of seven. The Valley Vista Road Purse, at six fur- longs, and the Glenview Purse, for two-year-olds, came next in importance. The balance of the card also provided interesting entertainment. CAUSES ANXIETY. * As a starter, Valdina Farms Holton, meet ing six other maiden two-year-olds at five furlongs in the first race, gave his big following many anxious moments before he finally came through on the inside of the field in the closing furlong. Away fast, the Texas-owned youngster, a 3 to 2 chance in the betting, was shuffled back during the ran to the turn and next to last as the field swung into the stretch. He closed a considerable gap to establish himself one of the most popular winners of the afternoon. To-moca raced to the place, with Buttons B. finishing third. The terra cotta and stone colors of the James W. Parrish stable were carried to a decisive win by Woodsia in the six furlongs second race for three-year-olds. Lloyd Sisler had the winner in front after a furlong and she easily retained the command, winning in hand as Carrickore took the place away by a little less than a length over Personable. With the five leading contestants in the six furlongs third race reaching the finish in cavalry alignment, this dash also provided more than the usual number of thrills. Here victory went to Brierton, the Willard Wilson representative outgaming Maleman to earn top honors by a short head. A neck back came Contrast with Stepinanna at her withers and Kermay a like distance back. Yale o Nine turned in a sparkling per- formance to take the Glenview Purse for his second triumph in successive starts. Closing fast on the outside from behind a hot pace, the Indiana-owned victor covered the distance in 1:00%, which marked one of the most imposing efforts by one of his age in Kentucky this spring. Wafer, a represent-I ative of the Valdina Farms, which also Started Viscounty, finished second, a half i length back of the victorious Peter Hastings gelding, and three lengths before J. W. Bells Steel Heels. A . . . I ! ! i I I I I J I i j l I , j i j I , j
