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VITO GREAT SURPRISE « Accounts for Rich Belmont Stakes — Victorian Unplaced. ♦ Blue Larkspur Scores in National Stallion Stakes at Belmont Park — Distribute 11,285. NEW YORK, N. Y., June 9.— Vito, A. H. Cosdens sturdy son of Ncgofol — Forever, by an easy victory in the one mile and a half Belmont Stakes, at big Belmont Park this afternoon, takes rank with the great three-year-olds of the year. The victory was a stunning surprise to one of the greatest and most brilliant crowds that eve" assembled at Belmont Park — not so much in the victory of Vito as in the utter defeat of H. P. Whitneys Victorian, winner of both the Preakness and the Withers Stakes, and rated as the champion of the year, with the possible exception of Mrs. John Hertz Peigh Count, winner of the Kentucky Derby. Three lengths back of Vito came Gifford A. Cochrans Genie, and three lengths farther back Dia-volo, from the Wheatley Stable of Mrs. H. C. Phipps and Ogden Mills, just beat home the added starter, F. Ambrose Clarks Broom-whisk, which was ridden by the gentleman rider G. H. Bostwick. Victorian was four lengths back, while Willis Sharpe Kilmers Sun Beau, the only other starter, was last. It was a wonderful day of racing that brought the Belmont Park meeting tr an end, and earlier in the day Edward R. Bradleys Blue Larkspur, winner of the Juvenile Stakes, had added the rich National Stallion Stakes to his score. That prize had a net value of 5,470, while by his victory in the Belmont Stakes Vito added 1928.sh3,430 to his earnings. It was the greatest day of racing ever served up by the Westchester Racing Association, and in the running of the six races there was a distribution of 11, 2S5 in prize money. It was racing that brought the best horses in training together, and racing that was worthy of the immense throng that gathered at the course. The track was at its best and race after race brought about contests that kept the gathering thrilled. The Turf and Field Club was the scene of many brilliant luncheon parties long before post time for the first race, while at the conclusion of the days sport it was again a gay scene. Tables had been placed on the big lawns for the occasion and never did the famous old club entertain so lavishly. Little time was lost at the barrier for the Belmont Stakes and as the start came "Pony" MeAtee was so alert that he had a slight advantage with Sun Beau, sending him away in front and in the rail position. He was soon joined by Victorian and as Workman brought the Whitney colt alongside he elected to just rate along stride for stride with the son of Sun Briar. That suited MeAtee and they were going like a team as they swung around the lower turn and into the back Continued on twenty-fourth page. VITO GREAT SURPRISE Continued from first page. stretch. The first quarter had been covered in :24 and the half in :43Vs. with both colts under restraint. Genie was galloping in third place and he was also under restraint and just half a length before Vita. Broomwhisk was four lengths further back and two lengths before Diavolo. This order was maintained all through the back stretch and it was not until swinging out of the straight that Workman shook up Victorian. At the same time McAtee eased his restraint on Sun Beau and the Kilmer colt matched his move. In the meantime there was some closing up behind and Vito had raced past Genie, though they were still lapped. Before the stretch was reached there was consternation when Workman was seen to swing his whip on Victorian. It had seemed that he was just biding his time to come away from Sun Beau. The colt did not respond to the call and almost in a twinkling Vito was through to take the command. Sun Beau was faltering just as did Victorian and it was apparent that both were thoroughly beaten. Genie was still hanging on with real courage, but Vito was going smoothly in front and Clarence Kummer had used rare judgment in making his move. From the last eighth post home it was no contest so far as Vito was concerned, for Kummer had glanced back, found he had a safe lead, and the colt was under restraint at the end. Genie fought it out gamely, but the chase of Vito was futile, though he readily disposed of Diavolo, which was only * third over Broomwhisk in the final strides. The victory of Edward R. Bradleys homebred Blue Larkspur in the rich National Stallion Stakes, which added 3,470 to his score, was only a question of a nose in advance of J. O. Keenes Jean Valjean, with George D. Wideners Jack High in third place, a head behind Jean Valjean, but the son of Black Servant had to catch them in the final eighth, and to do so stamped himself as a colt of high quality. There was some apprehension before the red board was displayed, for Blue Larkspur had cut across the others sharply at the rise of the barrier and interfered not a little with several of the others. The move, however, not only cost him ground but hampered him considerably as well as interfering with the others, Zoom being the principal sufferer. Jean Valjean escaped this interference and ran away to a good lead early, but Sande had Jack High close after him and for most of the journey they were showing the way closely lapped. Blue Larkspur continued to bear over until he was on the inner rail, and he was rather a bad seventh before Pascuma had him straightened out and running
