The Turf

Thoroughbred horse-racing returned to Chicago after an absence of 20 years. The first barrier went up on an Inaugural Handicap and down the stretch came Judge Pryor, a 12-to-l shot. Responsible for the recultivation of turf in Chicago--the Chicago Business Men's Racing Association; for oral betting-the Illinois Anti-Betting Law and a squad of gumshoe men.

A broadside of press-agentry heralded the American visit of Epinard, Pierre Westheimer's famed French four-year-old. When the Berengaria docked, he felt his way ashore from sumptuous quarters. Belmont Park, Latonia, Aqueduct crowds will watch him next Fall.

Meanwhile, there crept quietly into a barn at Empire City Race Track (Yonkers) a horse called Mackenzie. Two years ago, in the Prix Morny at Deauville, Epinard had a good view of Mackenzie's heels from the one rear position the former ever occupied as a juvenile. Last year, Mackenzie passed Massine, 1924 Ascot Gold Cup winner. Will Epinard and Mackenzie meet again?

"Wonder horses" do not throng the American turf this season. The one beast talked much of as an opponent for Epinard is a Rancocas (Harry F. Sinclair) horse, Grey Lag. He, being of the Star Shoot strain, has suffered the hoof ailments that all of that get seem heir to; may require chiropody to put him in the running.

At Aqueduct, August Belmont's impressive three-year-old, Ladkin, easily disposed of Sinclair's Mad Play, and was hailed as the year's best colt. Ladkin's time, 1.49 4-5 for the mile-and-an-eighth, was but 4/5 of a second outside of Grey Lag's course record, set last year under identical weight (123 Ibs.). Moreover, it was said that Jockey Maiben pulled Ladkin up through the last sixteenth.