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Play Again Shows Way to Six Rivals Leads Odds-On Riot by Two Lengths After Latter Goes Wide on Clubhouse Turn SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., May 5. — Sweltering heat that reached record-breaking proportions for the third consecutive day in this area, offered a striking contrast to the usual cold and rainy weather of past spring seasons, but there were 9,034 faithful patrons in the stands and for the most part they enjoyed formful sport. A mild surprise, however, occurred in the featured Semester Purse when Marion H. VanBergs Play Again unleashed some of her best speed and held on to defeat the odds-on favorite, Riot. Third in the abbreviated dash of five furlongs came Perne L. Grissoms Fertile Lands, while William H. Bishops Donaris finished fourth. Play Again was making her second start of the year. Several days ago, while running as part of a favored entry with Rose Bed, she was beaten some 19 lengths. Today she was chock full of her best speed from the beginning and her time. 1:01%, was the best for the distance of the meeting. Riot, the heavy favorite, was fortunate in some respects that his number remained on the board for, going into the first turn, he failed to make the bend and took several opponents with him, Blue Agent and Lady Lureen being the main sufferers. Recovers Quickly Tony Skoronski, who continued to draw away from Harold "Red" Keene, in their tepid melee for riding honors, was astride Play Again, a four-year-old daughter of Crap Shooter — Efeldee, by Leonard II. The fact that Play Again was along the rail and in a perfect position when Riot went out at the first turn, contributed greatly to the fillys triumph. Riot, however, recovered nicely after the incident and set sail for Play Again, who had opened a commanding margin as they stepped briskly down the backside. Fertile Lands was in third place and was striding along freely as if he would be a major factor when the finish line was reached. However, Play Again had something of reserve and smartly repulsed Riots late bid, and Fertile Lands couldnt generate anything that resembled a late spurt. W. H. Bishop, whose hard-hitting stable furnishes one of the highlights of the local meeting, provided the winner of the fifth when his Halcyon Duke humbled his rivals at seven furlongs by seven lengths. Harold Continued on Page Forty-Three Play Again Turns Back Favored Riot at Cicero VanBerg Miss Is Never Headed; Choice Goes Wide on First Turn Continued from. Page One "Red" Keene, who is attempting to keep pace with Skoronski in the jockey race, wisely avoided the fast early pace and as they swept down the backstretch the second time he rushed the gelding into contention. There he easily assumed command then drew off to himself. Jessica B., one of the favorites in the field, was virtually eliminated on the first sweep of the turn when she darted toward the outside rail while holding the lead. She never was able to enter a forward position thereafter and wound up a weary last. The fate of expensive yearlings often is reflected in cheap maiden races over this course. Such was the case, at least, in the third when J. McElroys Tommy Gentry was backed into 2 to 1 favoritism. Some of the most ordinary non-winners on the grounds were in the seven-furlong dash and Tommy Gentry, who brought 0,000 as a yearling, was unable to finish better than second, being beaten a half-length by F. Corrigans Avoca Message, an outsider in the field. Tommy Gentry, a handsomely bred and well made gelded son of Blue Larkspur — Manie OHara, by The Satrap, enjoyed the best of racing luck throughout. He slipped through along the rail when the leaders went wide on the first turn, gained command, but was unable to resist Avoca Message in the drive. It is doubtful if he ever will win himself out in purses, for he is now five years old.
