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ATTENDANCE NEAR RECORD Ak-Sar-Ben Races Attract 14,000 — ■ Apprentice J. Ashcroft Takes Opponent by Surprise. OMAHA, Neb., May 30.— Racing devotees of this section turned out en masse here today to witness the running of the eight-race program presented by the Ak-Sar-Ben management. It was truly a representative crowd and while the favorites did not come through to expectations, the winners had many admirers and were loudly cheered as they raced to victory. The Memorial Handicap was the feature offering and was fifth on the card. The headliner was a driving finish, which had to be decided by the photo and it was M. Whitebrooks Jokester which got the verdict, after finishing the three-quarters in 1:11 flat under the capable handling of jockey George Dobson. The latter brought his mount to the line of finish in front of Nancolas and Wrights lightly-regarded Fleeting Moon, which was the long shot in the race. Third went to Mrs. Hazel Beez-leys Susi Q., which, after a rough race, was good enough to account for the third part of the purse, leading home the favored His Girl, which turned in another miserable effort, with Peace River and The Pelican the early pacemakers, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. The offical attendance was 14,000, slightly below the largest crowd ever to attend the racing at the beautiful course. One of the most impressive victories achieved by the successful owner during the afternoon, was that of Mrs. F. J. Harris, Oakham, and it was only the skillful handling of apprentice Jimmy Ashcroft which made the victory possible for the youngster. He stole a long lead in the early stages and this enabled his mount to falter a trifle and still get the decision.
