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LACE WINS HANDICAP ♦ — Daughter of Bunting— Stickling Best in New York Feature. ♦ Jack High Makes Debut as Three-Year -Old and Accounts for Freeport Handicap. » NEW YORK, N. Y., May 18.— Lace, the daughter of Bunting — Stickling, which races for the Mendham Stable, was winner of the Ladies Handicap, the feature of the first Saturday program at Belmont Park. Lace was ridden by Laverne Fator and had a big margin over W. M. Jeffords Bateau, while Miss Peggy B. Baileys Bradleys Peggy was third. The handicap was over one mile and was worth ,750 to the winner. Ideal conditions prevailed for the afternoon and the track was at its best. The crowd was of large proportions and racing was of a spirited nature throughout. A field of eleven started in the Ladies Handicap and on the way to the post Workman, astride Lisa, suffered an accident when he was kicked on the leg by Atlantis. The boy was forced to dismount and cancel the engagement and Ellis was substituted. No bones were broken by the blow, but it was a painful flesh bruise. Following this delay the field was dispatched in good alignment and it was Lace and On Her Toes that galloped into the lead with the former having a brief advantage. Bradleys Peggy, which was slow to settle in her stride, was rushed up rapidly and was soon in a contending position as was Bateau, which was away well. On the far turn Fator urged Lace along and she responded in a game manner and drew away from On Her Toes. The latter made a desperate effort to retain her position and held on until the stretch turn was passed. It was here that Ambrose came to the outside of the leaders and Bradleys Peggy was forced to come to the outside of her. In the final eighth Lace drew away from the others with ease and at the end had a big margin. Bateau and Bradleys Peggy staged a spirited duel for second place and the former outlasted the westerner by a half length, while On Her Toes was a tired fourth. IMPRESSIVE SHOWING. Jack High, G. D. Wideners candidate for the Withers and Belmont Stakes, made his first appearance under colors in 1929 in the fourth race today and proved an easy winner over a band of sprinters. He was a fit horse and attracted no end of attention in the paddock during the saddling period. Back of him and driving hard to retain second place was Eddie Ahearn, from the Catawba Stable, while J. L. Hollands Ramoneur was third, before Host and Dangerous. The latter were unsuited by the distance, but gained some ground on tired horses at the end. The start was a geod one, and it was Jack High which was first away. Ramoneur went along after him, while Eddie Ahearn was in third place. Ramoneur found the pace too much and at the far turn felt the effects of the pace and dropped back. It was then that Eddie Ahearn moved into second place, but at no time did he menace the flying leader. Jack High was bounding along in front and at the end was under steady restraint. He negotiated the seven-eighths in 1:25% and pulled up without taking a long breath. RACCOON IN FRONT. Trainer, G. R. Tompkins saddled his first winner of the year in Raccoon, owned by the Brookmeade Stable, in the first race, which was for maiden two-year-olds over four and a half furlongs on the Widener course. In a drive he showed the way to W. R. Coes Black Majesty, while Kiang, from the Ran-cocas Stable, was third. The winner was ridden by Baker and, beginning rapidly from the outside, came over sharply but clear towards the inside. He was quickly joined by Black Majesty and the two staged a duel in the stretch. Kiang was not far back while On the Air, the mainstay of the Whitney pair, was racing greenly. In the last eighth Raccoon responded gamely and in the final drive poked his nose in front. Kiang was a good third. Beauparc, racing for Mrs. R. V. McKim and ridden by Mr. G. H. Pete Bostwick and trained by F. Ambrose Clark, showed t ■ way to a dozen others in the running of the steeplechase, which was the second race of the day. The Greentree Stable supplied the second horse in Fairfield, while T. C. Hitchcocks Darkness was third. But three failed to finish — Silver Dawn, Pompeien and Princess Clovelly losing their riders at different jumps. Mergler, rider of Silver Dawn, was removed to the track hospital for examination. It wa3 later stated that no bones were broken but that he was shaken up considerably. The early pace was set by Volunteer, while Beauparc was at no time during the running far from the leaders. He soon moved up with a rush and into command. From then on he was rated along in front and at no stage was in serious trouble. Fairfield, during the early running, was inclined to be rank and Jeffcott repeatedly tried to place him. When called upon, he moved up fast, but could not overhaul the leader. Mokatam, a bay son of Bud Lerner from Katrina, foaled at the Rancocas Farm in New Jersey and racing for that stable, turned in a smashing effort to show the way to a well matched band in the Keene Memorial Stakes and added ,100 to the winnings of the stable. A short half length behind him came T. M. Cassidys Crack Brigade, while Caruso, the main reliance of the W. R. Coe stable, was third. Scratches reduced the field to eleven starters and it was a representative lot. The race was over the four and a half furlongs of the Widener course and a purse of ,500 was added. The field was well mannered at the post and the start was a good one. Caruso, beginning from the outside, was soon in motion and threaded his way over toward the inner rail, while Crack Brigade went along after him with the others well bunched. Mokatam was in the middle of the band and Steffen was finding some trouble in securing racing room. Caruso and Crack Brigade were over in front racing along at a fast pace an eighth from the finish, while Prometheus had dropped back after following the .early pace.
