view raw text
ARLINGTON INAUGURAL HANDICAP TO SILVERDALE * Defeats No More, My Dandy and Other Stars in Feature Event -♦ — Neverfade Equals Track Record — Double for Mrs. F, Ambrose Clark — Galahad by Small Margin — Crowd of 12,000 Despite Intensive Heat ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, 111., June 29.-Arlington Park, Chicagos massive and beautiful racing plant situated on the northwest side, opened its 1931 meeting in gala fashion this afternoon. A crowd of 12,000 viewed the running of a wonderfully well balanced program of eight races and the breeze that swept across the course during the greater part of the afternoon tempered the heat to such an extent that conditions for the regular attendants of racing in this district were more comfortable than they have =been for many days. The track, which has been worked diligently in preparation for the opening, was very fast. Silverdale, the good sprinter which races for John F. Schorr, repeated his victory of last season when he won the Arlington Inaugural Handicap for the second time. The son of The Porter, pilbted by jockey J. McCoy, led all the way to finish three lengths in advance of No More. Third money was earned by My Dandy, which was racing coupled with Brown Wfsdom, while Satin Spar, runner-up to Gallant Knight in a mile and a quarter race on Saturday was fourth. Sunny Lassie finished fifth, and Ned O track record holder for the seven furlongs distance, finished ninth. One of the largest fields in the history of Arlington Park paraded postward for the days feature. Of the twenty-five named seventeen went to the barrier, but despite the size of the band the contest was remarkably free from interference, and Silverdale deserved his victory. BLACK MAJESTY UNRULY. There was a short delay at the barrier due mainly to the fractious actions of Black Majesty, and when they were finally dispatched, Silverdale dashed to the front In the run down the long back stretch from the seven furlongs chute, Silverdale increased his advantage slightly, and closest to him were Seb and My Dandy, with No More running in seventh position and Satin Spar tenth. Turning for home, Silverdale assumed a good advantage and, with No More racing in second position, sped to the finish three lengths to the good. Epithet, on which considerable early play developed, finished far back, while Don Leon was the last to pass the wire. Both Silverdale and No More were members of the field group, and for that reason the usually despised combination of horses tnat are considered by the handicapper to be outsiders, were favored to win. The field paid .85, and Silverdale ran the distance in l:24y3. The race was worth ,350 to the winner. The yellow and black colors of Mrs. J. D. Hertz, which were carried to victory in the opening race at Arlington Park last season, were flashed to the fore in the initial event again today when Pairbypair, a chestnut son of Noah, scored. Heavily backed, the youngster, which was badly beaten in all three starts at Belmont Park, led most of the way to be successful over a large band of youngsters. He paid but .64, while Brave and Bold paying 3.56 for the second place, was second, and Mexico finished third Jockey Earl Steffen was in the saddle on the winner. FIRST STEEPLECHASE. The first steeplechase of the season was an interesting spectacle and resulted in a win for Contrition, a young jumper which ran in the interests of Mrs. Ambrose Clark famous eastern sportswoman. The mare was coupled with Tassel and the pair were favored, but Contrition was forced to carry on alone when her running companion came to grief after taking the eighth fence. Tassel broke down badly and was removed from the track in a horse van. It is possible that it may be found necessary to destroy her. Contrition was held under restraint by jockey W. Hunt for the first turn of the field, permitting Charmarten and Fichet to make the running. When called upon she soon went to the front and, jumping in faultless style, lasted to win by over two lengths from Autumn Bells, while Fichet was third, far back of the Simpson gelding. Charmarten was the only other horse to Continued on twenty-third page. INAUGURAL TO SILVERDALE Continued from first page. finish, Hillock falling at the third fence and Proof Positive at the ninth. The Peconic Stables Knight Commander •was an easy winner in the third race. Sprinting the six furlongs distance in 1:11%, he finished three lengths before Supreme Sweet, with Wayne taking third money. Supreme Sweet, fastest to begin, set the pace, but was n5** match for the winner when it came to a drive. Zacaweista, racing for the first time in the silks of Albert Sabath, was favored but could never get to the leaders, and finished last. Knight Commander received considerable support. The silks of Mrs. F. Ambrose Clark were seen in front for the second time during the day when Neverfade, her good three-year-old colt, equaled the track record in winning the fourth race. His time was 1:10% for six furlongs and he now shares the honor as record holder along with Brown Wisdom and My Dandy. Following him in second place came Mrs. J. D. Hertz Outbound, while Martha Jones was third. Outbound set a fast pace. He was accompanied by Prince D Amour in the early stages and ran the half mile in :46 to race the latter into submission. The Hertz colt gained a clear lead on the stretch turn, but Neverfade, which had been running under restraint, wore him down in the last eighth and was going away at the finish. Neverfade was the favorite and was the third public choice of the day to score. Jockey G. Faith, riding the first race of his career, upset the calculations of the favorite players when he brought Galahad down in front of a small band in the sixth race. The gelding was closer to the pace than usual in the early stages, and under good riding by his novice pilot, wore down Hot Toddy, the pacemaker, to score by a head. Hot Toddy was second and Calf Roper finished third, a nose in advance of Valenciennes. Apprentice Faith is under contract to Phil Reuter. who has been responsible for the development of many good riders. Galahad, which raced in the Reuter colors paid 8.52. Jockey C. E. Allen reported from Latonia. where Saturday he rode Lightning Bolt in the Latonia Derby.