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THRILLS PROVIDED BY PLATERS Fair Time Beats Fast Express After Long Stretch Duel. Claiming Clause Prevails in All but One of Rockingham Parks Thursday Offerings. SALEM, N. H., July 27 Despite the lack of an outstanding attraction at Rockingham Park for the fourth day of the meeting, thrilling sport was provided by platers. With , the exception of the first race on the card, for maidens, other offerings had the claiming clause. Holding the featured position on the pro- gram was a six furlongs dash for platers entered under a top claiming price of ,500 and scaling down to ,000. It developed into a duel between horses trained by two former devotees of the trotters. Trainer Will Hodson sent out Fair Time to score in the silks of Mrs. W. Hodson. It was only by the matter of a half length, however, that Fair Time triumphed over Fast Express, saddled by Lyman H. Brusie and racing for Hahna Bros. Lady Ariel, performing in the silks of Louis B. Mayer, moving picture mogul, finished third. PLAYMORE RUNS AWAY. The crowd was treated to a thrill in the post parade when Playmore got the better of jockey Lucas Dupps and ran away a mile. Fair Time, considered chiefly a mudder, was kept within striking distance of. the pace. Woof, Fast Express, Feedman and Lady Ariel battled it out for the first half mile heads apart while dueling for the lead. Woof, when surrendering command, began dropping back fast. Lady Ariel gained the lead for a brief instant and then Fast Express showed the way. Tommy May saved considerable ground on the turn for home with the winner and responding to pressure soon was head and head with the leader. In the drive to the finish Fair Time proved to have more in reserve than" Fast Express, increasing his advantage to a half length at the end. More than two lengths back of the runner-up, the Mayer filly held third place. Continued ideal weather prevailed for the sport and the attendance continued up to the fondest expectations of the management. THRILLING FINISH. Another thrilling finish came with the running of the first route "race of the afternoon when Whooper managed to defeat Dian by a head with Mahlette just a nose back in third place. This was in the sixth and the official placing was not confirmed until the stewards heard a complaint from jockey Kelly, Dians rider, that he had been fouled. After brief deliberation the original placing was not disturbed. Supported with rare confidence, Flying Jack gave his supporters many anxious moments before being returned winner over the eleven other maidens that contested the six furlongs of the opener. Key Man turned in a sparkling effort to race into second place, while Dogrose and Santiago finished a nose apart in third and fourth places, respectively. P. T. Chinns Golden Lass was guided to victory by Jockey Eddie Robart in the five furlongs of the second offering. Shqrt Measure, racing for Mrs. V. Wyse, Texas sportswoman, finished in second place and the show award fell to H. M. Babylons Pompe Grande. LIMIT FIELD. Another limit field of claiming platers met in the six furlongs of the third event. This test developed into a first rate contest throughout, terminating in a nose finish between Praetorian, racing for Max Hirsch, and A. A. Crabbes Express. Well back of the two leaders Medway Stables Miss Whim, the public choice, raced into third place. Jockey Lee Hardy, astride Remarkable, racing for Mrs. L. Palladino, annexed the six furlongs fourth event in a front-running race throughout. The Kiev gelding went to the front at once and, smothering his field for speed, opened up a commanding early advantage. Ouragan followed along in nearest pursuit of the leader and Ida Tarp headed the "others.
