Mate Winner Of American Derby: Favorite By A Nose; Pittsburgher Finishes in Second Place, With Joey Bibb Third.; A. C. Bostwicks Preakness Stakes Hero Carries Off Chicagos Coveted Race., Daily Racing Form, 1931-06-22

article


view raw text

MATE WINNER OF AMERICAN DERBY « - a * 1 FAVORITE BY A NOSE ♦ Pittsburgher Finishes in Second Place, With Joey Bibb Third. ♦ A. C. Bostwicks Preakness Stakes Hero Carries Off Chicagos Coveted Race. » HOMEWOOD, 111., June 20.— Mate, A. C. Bostwicks handsome colt which took the measure of the mighty Twenty Grand in the running of the Preakness Stakes, showed a splendid performance in winning the American Derby at Washington Park this afternoon. Forced to come from seventh place in the last half mile, he accomplished his task in noble fashion, and won by a nose from Pittsburgher, one of the main reliances of the West, while Joey Bibb, conceded but little chance against such opposition, finished in third place. Morpheus, former claiming horse from the West, was fourth and Spanish Play finishing in fifth place, while Sun Meadow, highly regarded because of outlasting Jamestown in the Belmont Stakes, finished last in the field of eleven. It was a great horse race and one that will live long in the memories of the tremendous gathering that witnessed its running. The field that went to the post was well behaved, and starter Morrissey had them off at once, with Oswego and Boys Howdy showing the way. This pair went around the first turn on practically even terms with Ladder close up on the rail, and Pittsburgher and Sun Meadow running strongly. Mate was in the center and was being given a careful ride by jockey George Ellis, while Morpheus was last of the field. SUN MEADOW DROPS BACK. The good three-year-olds raced in that position until the far turn when Ladder, coming gamely, moved into second place, replacing Oswego, which showed signs of fatigue. Sun Meadow, on the outside, was dropping back at this juncture, while Pittsburgher was fighting for his head and Mate was moving up. As they came to the final turn Ladder caught Boys Howdy tiring and took command, but his advantage was short lived, as Pittsburgher, running a race of which few had believed him capable, flashed to the fore as they straightened out for home and assumed a handy advantage. With the early leaders dropping back in the stretch, it developed into a battle between Pittsburgher, the front horse, and the determined Mate, which was closing fast. Pittsburgher, racing in courageous fashion, continued on at his best speed, but Mate, under urging, caught him at the eighth post and opened up a short lead. It was at this stage that Pittsburgher showed his mettle. Despite the fact that he had been headed by what was generally conceded to be one of the years greatest three-year-olds, the Shady Brook Farm colt stuck to his task and gaining on Mate, was barely beaten as they passed the finish. Joey Bibb, coming gamely on the outside, was good enough to catch the early leaders, which were tiring, while Morpheus also had enough closing speed to take fourth place. GREAT OVATION FOR WINNER. Mate, the last horse to be jogged back to the stand, received a well deserved ovation as he was draped with the beautiful floral-piece presented by the association, and jockey George Ellis, who displayed iron nerve in his cool ride, was likewise loudly applauded as he walked back to the scales. Mate, which was saddled by his owner, A. C. Bostwick, earned 8,675 by his victory and ran the mile and a quarter distance in 2:04 V:. to equal the track record for the Washington Park course. The race was truly run, very little interference being encountered by any of the contestants, and while Pittsburgher battled gamely to the bitter end, Mate, by his exceedingly game performance, earned the decision. Although the terrific heat wave which developed two days previously, continued unabated, and the oppressive weather caused Continued on twentieth page. FAVORITE BY A NOSE Continued from first page. no little discomfort, a crowd that almost fully taxed the great capacity of the large plant witnessed the running of the Derby. It was a representative gathering, commensurate with its great proportions, and no program of racing since the revival of the sport in Illinois ever attracted more visitors nor a larger number of the sportively inclined from among Chicagos finest. Scores upon scores of Chicagos most prominent in business, social, political and other circles, were in the vast assemblage, estimated to number close to 50,000, and many were the notables who traveled far to witness the important battle of the three-year-olds. Arrangements under which the thousands were handled could not have been improved upon, and only the sizzling heat was complained of. Grandstand and club house boxes and all reserved seats were disposed of. Numerous were the colorful box and luncheon parties, and many of the visiting devotees were guests of local friends. Due largely to the tropical weather, the crowd was late in reaching its maximum. Many holding off to the last minute before starting for the course. Patrons were streaming through the turnstiles as the opening race was run, and still coming in a half hour later. The Illinois Central electric service was the most popular, but thousands upon thousands came by automobile, and the number of cars well overflowed the parking space into the stables enclosure. Backers of favorites got off to a good start when Etcetera won the opening race. It was the third straight victory at the meeting for the son of Prince of Wales, and he ran a game race to win. Coming strongly in the stretch, he headed Bryonia, the early pacemaker, an eighth out and held a short lead to the finish. Paris Bound was a game third, while Suns Son, prominent to the stretch, tired in the final drive. Best Man was the second favorite of the day to come through with a victory. He won the second race in impressive style from a large band of good sprinters. Beginning from an outer post position, jockey C. E. Allen sent him up to the leaders rounding the stretch turn and, once in the van, he was never hard pressed. Cheers, a member of the field group, raced to second place and Fiddler third. Hot Shot tired badly after showing much early speed, while Burgoo appeared to sulk after the first quarter. Amyvale, under clever piloting by jockey R. Jones, led most of the way to win the third race. A full field met in this contest, and the winner lasted to win by a neck over Zida, which was showing an improved performance. Kadiak, the favorite, finished third, after meeting with some interference. Charlie, Weideleen and Phantasime showed early speed, but tired when the stretch racing began. The winner was well backed. Jockey J. McCoy scored his second win of the day when he rode Manta to a rather handy victory in the Congress Hotel Purse, the afternoons secondary feature. Off well, the winner was always close to the pace set by T. S. Jordan, and getting to the front in the stretch led to the end. Karl Eitel, the favorite, raced to second place, and Nostaw, the second choice, was third. Both Karl Eitel and Nostaw would have fared better had they been favored with good racing luck. Karl Eitel was shuffled back rounding the far turn, while Nostaw, taken back repeatedly, finished with courage. Buckeye Poet was prominent to the stretch, then tired and pulled up sore.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1930s/drf1931062201/drf1931062201_1_2
Local Identifier: drf1931062201_1_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800