view raw text
LOWERS WORLD RECORD Indian Broom Runs Mile and One-Eighth in 1 :47. - Earns Recognition as Strong Kentucky Derby Candidate Top Row Unable to Keep Pace. SAN BRUNO, Calif., April 13. Indian Broom, Maj. Austin C. Taylors fine colt, will start in the Kentucky Derby. The chestnut son of Brooms proved his right to be recognized as one of the topnotch three-year-olds in America, and a logical contender for the Blue Grass classic, when he ran one and one-eighth miles at Tanforan Saturday, in the phenomenal time of 1:47, to win the 0,000 added Marchbank Handicap. His time constituted a new worlds record, clipping three-fifths of a second from the old mark of 1:48, held by Discovery and Brevity. Indian Broom, lightly weighted with 94 pounds, won by seven lengths from Top Row, while Azucar was third, Thursday fourth and Jovius last in the field of five. Apprentice Basil James, who has shot to the front of the Tanforan riding ranks with the speed of a meteor during the last two weeks, was astride Indian Broom and he put up -the perfect ride. Johnny Loftus in his heyday could have done no better. James rated his mount perfectly, saved ground all the way and sat still to the finish. Top Row was laboring at the end and barely lasted to hold Azucar safe. TERRIFIC SPEED. Indian Broom, beginning from number 3 post position, went to the first half nicely in :48, but it was in the latter stages of the journey he really showed speed. He reeled off the three-quarters in 1:11 and the mile in 1:35. It is likely had he been pressed Indian Broom would have established a worlds record that would have stood for many years. As it was he hung up a fair mark for other equine greats to shoot at. It was a bitter defeat for Top Row, but the gallant little son of Peanuts went down fighting. Indian Broom, at the difference in weights, was just too much horse for the Baroni champion and all the skill of Wayne Wright, one of Americas greatest jockeys on Top Row, was of no avail. As for the others, Azucar ran his best race since the Santa Anita Handicap and would have likely been closer to the winner had the race been at one and one-quarter miles, but Indian Broom could not have been beaten Saturday. He was a super horse. The field of five lined up in the stall gate promptly and starter Eddie Thomas took but slightly less than a half minute to effect a perfect start. Indian Broom showed in front by well over one length, passing the stand the first time and making the club house turn increased his advantage to two lengths. It was at this stage that the only interference in the race was suffered and it was slight, Top Row being in close quarters on the inside of Thursday making the turn. As they straightened out for the back-stretch, Indian Broom increased his advantage to four lengths as the others were being rated. Approaching the far turn with Indian Broom in front of Top Row the latter made . his strongest move of the race. He passed Thursday to open up five lengths on the latter near the stretch turn and it appeared for an instant as if he might catch the winner. CROWD OF 20,000. Indian Broom was too much horse, however. James gave him his head in the stretch and it was plain to be seen that Top Rows charge would be fruitless. Top Row was spent as they entered the final sixteenth and dropping back while Indian Broom scooted over the finish line far in front to the accompaniment of the cheers of 20,000 persons. Thursday lacked the class of the first three horses and dropped out of it when the real racing began while Jovius, a selling plater, showed a fair effort, although winding up in last place. The Marchbank Handicap, which had its Continued on niiieteenth page. LOWERS WORLD RECORD Continued from first page. Initial running Saturday afternoon, will long be remembered by those fortunate enough to witness it. It was thrilling to watch Indian Broom dash around the course and just as exciting to watch Top Rows gallant effort to catch him. The winners share of the purse was ,150 and Indian Broom was decorated by Miss Louise Winnet of Beverly Hills, California. Maj. Austin C. Taylor of Vancouver, who bought Indian Broom from the Brookmeade Stable during the Santa Anita meeting, was elated over the colts victory. It was a triumph in training for Darrell Cannon, who took over the colt from Bob Smith, of the Brookmeade Stable and improved the animal just about fifty per cent. Indian Broom was the second choice in the betting and paid .40. Top Row was a 4 to 5 favorite. A crowd of over 20,000 witnessed the running of the Marchbank Handicap and jammed the plant to the rafters. A couple of thousand persons viewed the big race from the infield. The weather was very warm and the track fast. The handle for the first seven races at Tanforan, Saturday afternoon was 13,446, indicating that play for the day would be over 50,000.
