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[ j | I t | , ] j j ! AMERICAN FLAG AGAIN • Emulates His Famous Sire in Winning Withers Stakes. . « — Runs Sparkling Race to Account for Noted Fixture — Coventry Fails Miserably. NEW YORK, K Y., May 28.— America* Flag, emulating the performance of his mighty sire Man o War, was winner of the historic old Withers Stakes at Belmont Park today, earning just 9,600 for his owner. It was in 1920 that Man o War. in the record time of 1 :35% for the mile, won the Withers, while American Flag finished out the route in 1:3SV4 today. The track is much slower this year. His was a sensational victory and it was one to stamp him as probably the best three-year-old of the year. After the finish American Flag was worked out a full mile and an eighth, completing that journey in 1:51%, easily. The weather was ideal for the running of the Withers and its appeal attracted an unusually large midweek crowd. The track was at its best and only a light breeze blowing, conditions could not have been better. In addition to the Withers there was an interesting setting of races and it was a most enjoyable day at the beautiful big Nassau county course. WITHERS LARGEST FIELD. The Withers had the distinction of attracting the largest field in its long history — it was first run at Jerome Park in 1874 — when there were twelve went to the post and American Flag proved himself easily master when he closed an immense gap to beat the Rancocas Stables Silver Fox, with Archibald Barklies Goldstick saving third from Walter M. Jef fords By Hisself. Then followed Swope, Fast Mail, Backbone, Brown Sugar, Coventry, winner of the Preakness, Lap-j lander and Candy Kid last of the field. Little time was lost at the barrier and as it rose James Butlers Pique was rushed into command by Coltiletti and Candy Kid went right after him, with Silver Fox a clcse third. The pace was terrific and American Flag, after being away in a good position, steadily dropped back until he was next to last for a time in the running. The first quarter was run in :23, but Pique quickened his pace, then went to the half mile in :45%. That was a pace that told on Candy Kid and as he dropped away Silver Fox moved up on the Butler colt and swinging for him the Ran-j cocas colt was showing the way, but Pique was still battling along in second place Johnson had saved ground with American Flag by sticking to the inner rail, but ,t seemed a hopeless chase for him to find his way through. SILVER FOX THREATENS. An eighth out Silver Fox looked well nigh a sure winner. He was holding Pique safe. the Butler colt showing signs of tiring from his early effort and he had all the others driving. But Johnson was at work on American Flag and he was showing a real Man o War quality and stride by stride he worked his way through until in the last sixteenth he was on by to win going away by a length and a half. Goldstick had been racing for- wardly and he hung on well to take second place by a length and in the closing strides By Hisself was just up to take fourth from the tiring Pique. It was a notable renewal of the old stake though there have been fields of better class, though the winner proved himself a thoroughly good one. The field, horse for horse, was a better one than met in either the Preakness or the Kentucky Derby and Coventry, winner of the Preakness, was tenth at the finish. C. Caffarellis Long Point proved himself a game sort when he was home winner of the mile for platers, that was the opening contest. After forcing all the pace he stood a long stretch drive to outgame P. S. P. Randolphs King Albert, with Frank M. Kellys The Poet saving third from Vulnad. It was a good start and Collins almost at once went into command with I-»ng Point and, opening up a lead of a couple of lengths, he was hard put to it through the final eighth to withstand the challenge of King Albert. Maiben rated King Albert along in second place and at the head of the stretch it seem, d certain that ho would race away from Long Point when called on but, while he drew along side. Long Point answered the drive with such courage that he still had his nose in front at the end. The loet raced forwardly all the way and was best of the others. In the running Brown Betty was a bit un-forttnate in betas crowded back on the rail. She began from the inside position and when I --he was unable to get to the front in the ■ aiiy stages she suffered considerable handicap. The steeplechase of the day was for maidens and only three of the seven that went to the post completed the course. II. P. Whitneys Hands tne was winner, with Oyst-r lied, from the Winburn Stable, finishing second, Continued en alilecuth page. AMERICANFLAG AGAIN "Continued from first pace. with the Rrookmeade Stables Martin Sue third. Those that came to grief were Gov. Smith, which went elown with C. Smoot at the front field Liverpool. Silly Willy unseated L. Newton at the same fence, was remounted, but shortly after pulled up. Romana made a bad landing over the seventh jump and unseated V. Green and Sea Ballad refused at the eighth. Romana was the one to cut out the pace and she was well in the lead when she made the landing that sent Grec-n from the saddle. Handsome was rated back of the pace, while Martin Sue came alongside with Oyster Red, a trailer through the early stages. After Romana had come to grief Mahoney called on him and he took command, but he had to use his whip before the son of Whisk Ilroom II. was properly roused to his task. When the whip was applied he dashed away into a good lead and the result was never afterwards in doubt, though he was a tired lurse at the last jump. Through the last half mile Oyster Red readily outran Martin Sue, the only other one on his feet. Rather a nice band of two-year-olds came together in the four and a half furlongs of the third and Walter J. Salmons Punjab was winner from the Glen Riddle Farm Stables Crusader, wi h the Rancocas Stables Euclid saving third from Surprise Party. From a good start Euclid was first to show out of the company. He was in the middle of the course and steering a straight course. Nearing the stands Crusader drew up on him and had him beaten. Then, just as the Man o War colt looked a winner, Maiben brought Tunjab up with the rush that was to land him the winner by half a length. The others of the company were never serious contenders. "Ham" Keene still has a perfect score since he took up his position as trainer bar Joseph E. Widener. He sent Zephryetta to the post in the three-quarters dash of the Beldame that was the fifth race and in a j good game finish she nosed out Bud Fishers ; -Nellie Morse, while Marshall Fields Enslave-d was third. After accepting a contract with Mr. Widener last fall, Keene won both the Pinilico Cup and the Bowie Handicap u Howie for him with Altawood. Rast Monday I he won with Tusculum and when Zephyretta won it added just another to his good score. It was the Widener filly that forced all the pace in the Beldame but when the stretch was reached Nellie Morse, which had been close at hand all the way, charged on her i:i a manner that looked sure for victory, but Harvey drew his whip and Zephyretta came on again. All through the last eighth it was a hard fight and the Widener filly was just winner by a nose. Mis. F. Ambrese Clark purchased the three-year-old Peter Iaul from the Victory Stable, at private sale Wednesday.
