view raw text
DARK HOPES WINNING DEBUT Outfinishes Dancing Doll by Nose in Thrilling Stretch Drive. Distance Too Short for Firethorn Victories of Well Backed Choices Please Crowd. HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., April 24 Dark Hope, veteran which races successfully for J. W. Y. Martin, began his 1936 campaign auspiciously when he made his first start of the year a winning one by accounting for the Mayfield Purse, the principal attraction here today. The seven-year-old accomplished his purpose in a thrilling drive to be a nose before Mrs. A. W. Abbots Dancing Doll, with third annexed by Accolade, ruling choice of the race, which was out before Palamede. Considered highly in the speculation, the Martin sprinter showed becoming speed when he followed along in the wake of Dancing Doll and Accolade as they went out to show the way. R. Jones had the mount on the veteran and he was content to rate the gelding close to the swift pace that was set by the leading pair. Kept on the outside, Dark Hope moved up to engage the front runners when sweeping into the home stretch, then surging on strongly engaged Dancing Doll in a bitter battle the length of the stretch to drop his nose down, just as the last line was reached. As the two fought on desperately, they were enabled to draw away four lengths before the disappointing Accolade, while Pala-xnede was beaten an additional three lengths as he took the measure of Firethorn and Official. On the showing of Firethorn it was ap-. parent that he needs a longer distance to show his best form. He trailed his field most of the running and was not threatening at the finish. Cool weather was responsible for a light gathering, which witnessed the entertainment at the Harford County course. Racing, however, was thrilling and the victories of several well backed choices kept the spectators highly enthused. Mrs. DuP. Somervilles Kentucky Derby and Preakness nomniee, Transporter, romped to an easy victory in the Page Broom Purse, so-feature on the card. In winning the son of The Porter and Sun Agnes led home four other three-year-olds. Second in the abbreviated field came E. R. Bradleys Bootless, one and one-half lengths in the wake of the victor, while an additional four lengths away Night Cap took third honors before Maxine F. The only other starter and also the only other nominee for the Derby and Preakness in the race was Phantom Rox, and he trailed the field throughout. The winner was ridden by jockey M. Peters. Twelve mediocre plater distance performers furnished the contention in the initial offering of the day, and it brought a mild upset with the running when W. J. Hirschs Exaggeration emerged victorious at the close of a mile and seventy yards, his score culminating in a drive that took place over Dixie Dora, lukewarm choice, with third accounted for by Droll Story, which raced coupled with Counter Pass as the Metcalf-Grayson entry. The second race saw Ejector proving best. At the end he led home Cathy P., White Sweets, Pass Em By and six others. Little delay prevailed at the starting point with Cathy P. showing her usual speed to take the lead. Back of the Phillips miss Ejector held to the runner-up position, while White Sweets headed Scout Plane and the others. Reaching the stretch after making the turn successfully, Cathy P. continued to lead the Stewart colt, but C. Hanford was hard at work on the son of St. Henry and before reaching the final furlong post had his mount abreast of the pacemaker. With the pair far out in advance of the others, they waged a stirring duel in the final furlong, with Ejector proving best to reach the line winner by his own length. Redley, a heavily backed choice, graduated from the maiden ranks to defeat Dain-ger. Lewis, Golden Hind and nine others at the end of the third race. Redley received an encouraging ride by C. Hanford to uphold the esteem of his army of supporters to score in a drive. Racing in second position while Golden Hind led the way until reaching the stretch and given every chance to gain his best stride, Redley was not to be denied in his quest for honors after engaging the pacemaker a furlong from the finish and the end found him across the last line winner by a length. Dainger. Lewis, bettering his position steadily after going along in fifth position, waged a stout, duel to gain second place, while Golden Hind easily led the others. At the end a half length separated the latter two, while Fight Talk was two lengths farther back. L. C. Smithsons Tiempo proved best of the eight lowly distance performing platers that met for the mile and one-sixteenth in the sixth event. Beaten off in two previous local starts the Smithson mare was good enough in this particular race to lead for the entire distance to triumph in a mild drive to prove a handy winner. Ridden by M. Peters, Tiempo took up the running immediately after the start and never surrendered her position to score at the direct expense of the favorite, Pumice Stone, to pay her supporters better than 5 to 1. Tiempo held a two-length advantage at the end over Pumice Stone, which was under a strong drive to gain a nose victory over Last Romance. The tohers in the field headed by Infilee, were well beaten.
