view raw text
PHAR LAP WINNER OF AGUA GALIENTE HANDICAP Champion of Australia Scores Easily in Track Record Breaking Time Giant Thoroughbred From Antipodes Runs Mile and a Quarter in 2:02 4-5 to Demonstrate His Superiority Over Reveille Boy and Others r .... ..... Phar Lap has inaugurated his fifth year of actual racing competition with a gloriously achieved victory in the Agua Caliente Handicap, in which he made his American debut. By this impressive triumph Phar Lap increased his total winnings to 32,250, thereby gaining second place among the worlds leading money winners. His complete record follows: Year. Age. Starts. 1st. 2nd? 3rd. Unp. Amt. Won. 1928 2 5 1 0 0 4$ 910 1929 3 20 13 1 2 4 134,070 1930 4 16 14 , 2 0 0 123,830 1931 5 9 8 0 0 1 23,390 1932 6 1 1 0 0 0 50,050 ! Totals 51 37 3 2 9 32,250 l . . ..... . . 4 AGUA CALIENTE, Mexico, March 21.: Phar Lap, the Australian thunderbolt, lived up to his reputation and marvelous record by winning the Agua Caliente Handicap Sunday afternoon. The long striding Anzac came from the rear, galloped past his opponents to open up a lengthy lead on the back stretch, successfully resisted a challenge from Reveille Boy and drew away to win by two lengths in the new track record time of 2:02 for one mile and a quarter. Phar Lap carried top weight of 129 pounds and the fractionals for his remarkable race were quarter in :22; half, :46, three-quarters, 1:11: mile, 1:36. Reveille Boy, from the stable of J. A. Best, finished second, with Scimitar, third, and Joe Flores, fourth. Phar Lap was easily best and jockey Billy Elliott rode a masterly race. The "Red Terror," by his victory, became the second largest money winner of all time, as he added 0,-050, the net value of the stake to the coffers of Messrs. Davis and Telford, his owners. Reveille Boys share of the rich prize was ,000, while Scimitar earned ,500 and Joe Flores ,250. Eleven horses lined up for the third renewal of the race and a delay of six and a half minutes was occasioned when Reveille Boy, Scimitar and Cabezo acted badly at the barrier. Reveille Boy was finally taken to the outside and the barrier sprung" and they were off to a good start. Good and Hot was the first to show in front when they were straightened out and was closely followed by Bahamas. Passing the stand the first time Joe Flores took a short lead, which he held to the turn, when Bahamas, saving ground, took command. The Oak Tree Stahle representative did not hold the lead for long, however, as Joe Flores and Cabezo both passed him before the back stretch was reached. COMES FROM REAR. It was midway of the back stretch that Phar Lap made his move. Jockey Billy Elliott, who had been restraining him in confident fashion, sent him forward and he came from sixth place to open up a three-length lead before the turn was reached. Once in front, Elliott took him in hand and when Reveille Boy made a determined challenge at the stretch turn, had enough left to draw away again and win with consummate ease. Truly a super-horse is Phar Lap. The largest crowd of the meeting, approximately 15,000, gave the Australian wonder horse and his rider a great ovation, cheering long and loudly for the invader, which had travelled over 10,000 miles and had become more or less a "mystery horse," because of training methods employed to have him ready for his American debut. The consensus of all who witnessed Phar Laps record-breaking performance in winning the Agua Caliente Handicap was that the Australian will be a worthy rival for Americas best, such as Twenty Grand, Mate and other of our leading thoroughbreds. REVEILLE BOYS COURAGE. Reveille Boy made the best showing of the horses opposing Phar Lap and his challenge at the stretch turn was a gem of equine courage. Headed by a superior animal, Reveille Boy fought gallantly to gain command, but Phar Lap was too much for him anddrew away. Scimitar was the surprise horse. Recently claimed for a nominal sum, the former Tijuana Cup winner ran the best Continued on ninth page. PHAR LAP IS THE WINNER .Continued from first page. race of his career to be a game going third. Joe Flores and Cabezo tired, while Spanish Flay was in close quarters on the back stretch and lost all chance. Dr. Freeland and Bahamas also suffered some interference. The track was lightning fast and the weather, which was cloudy earlier, had cleared by the time the afternoon races were run. It was by far the best crowd seen at the track this year. Hotels on both sides of the border were packed last night. More than two dozen airplanes were lined up at the airport here and all possible planes were pressed into service by the big lines. A solid stream of automobiles passed over the international line through the morning hours and many persons crossed by train. The program for .Agua Caliente Handicap day consisted of fifteen races, with four decided before noon.