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DEFEAT FOR RED RAIN •1 , €. V. Whitneys Star Three-Year-Old Loses in 1936 Debut. ♦ Delphinium Triumphs Over Son of Pennant in Mile Race Run in Fast Time of 1:36%, t » NEW YORK, N. Y., May 13.— Red Rain, the son of Pennant and Dustemall, C. V. Whitneys hope in the three-year-old classics that are to come, was whipped in his first racing effort of the year at Belmont Park today when, in a driving finish, Mrs. Isabel Dodge Sloanes Delphinium led him over the line by a head. This was a purse over the mile distance put on to induce the starting of the Whitney champion, and the only other starter was Mrs. John Hertz four-year-old, Count Arthur, which was soundly beaten by the other two. While Red Rain lost this initial start of his comeback, his race was an impressive one, for at the end, when Gilbert attempted to send him through on the inside in the stretch, Corona came over with the winner and had him in close quarters and he did not have entirely free racing room, though there was no actual interference. The race was a swiftly run one, with the final time of 1:36%. After the running, Bob Smith decided that he would avoid the Preakness with Delphinium and keep him in New York for the running of the Withers. While there were some thunder showers during the day, a big crowd was out, and the rain that fell had no effect on the going, the track remaining fast. In the mile that brought defeat to Red Rain the start was a good one and Delphinium was sent away at a sprinting clip. He ran the first quarter in :2ZVs to be four lengths clear and Red Rain, slower to settle into stride was leading Count Arthur by two lengths. When Delphinium turned in a second quarter in :22-;5 to reach the half mile mark in :45%, he had increased his lead on the Whitney colt to four lengths, and there Corona had him under a slight restraint. Red Rain was not making up any ground, but he was outfooting Count Arthur readily. This order was maintained until the stretch was reached, and there Gilbert, who had the mount on Red Rain, made the mistake of going up on the inside of Delphinium. The son of Blue Larkspur had run the six furlongs in 1:10, but the pace was beginning to tell, and Red Rain was closing on him at every stride when the final furlongs were reached. It seemed for an instant that Red Rain would come through for Delphinium had given up his best and was shortening stride, while Red Rain continued to close, when Corona went over slightly with the winner. It was just enough to put Red Rain in close quaiters and a threat that caused him to hang ever so slightly, and Delphinium still had his head in front at the end. It appeared from the manner in which Red Rain was closing that he would probably have been the winner had Gilbert chosen the outside, instead of the inside, for his drive. For a first effort since last fall the race was a truly good one, and the manner in which the Pennant colt finished makes him truly belong in the race for the championship. It should accomplish much good in finally tightening him up for the Withers and the mile and a half of the Belmont for which he is heading. In both of these he will meet Brevity, while in the Belmont he will also have Bold Venture racing against him. The colt came out of the running apparently none the worse for his race, and it testified to his long and careful preparation. It was disappointing that he was beaten, but he was beaten by a truly good miler when it was Delphinium that took his measure. Papenie, a juvenile son of Genie and Pa-price, which races for Mrs. William H. Furst, was winner of the opening four and a half furlongs dash for platers when he readily outfinished Dunlight, which races for "Mr. Pembroke," and George McMitchells His Nibs beat the favorite, Lucky Ducky for third, while Clodion was closely after that filly.
