view raw text
CLARKSDALE BREAKS JINX Returns to Winning Ways and Scores for Smallman Stable in Main Race at Dufferin. TORONTO, Ont., June 24. The jinx that has been hovering over the J. E. Smallman stable of late was finally cast aside when Clarksdale, fleet son of Sir Barton and Dorothy Page, returned to winning ways for the first time since his winter campaign in Florida, to defeat six other smart sprinters in the third and best offering on a featureless card at Dufferin Park, Wednesday. Beaten upon six other occasions this season, the three-year-old Smallman sprinter was asked to travel six and one-half furlongs, and, dominating the running from the beginning, chalked up the fastest time for the distance at - the current meeting when he was timed in 1:23 to lead W. J. Skenes improved Cupboard to the finish, with See-mego capturing a nose verdict over J. H. Blacks Mindreader to take third and the three others in competition were led home by Far and Fast, colorbearer of the L. Gentry barn. The score of Clarksdale was the first for the London stable since Quickly was winner of an overnight handicap at Long Branch and, despite the fact that his score came at the immediate expense of the better fancied Cupboard, the achievement was popular. Ridden by G. Courtney and sprinting into the lead immediately after the start, Clarksdale displayed a good brand of speed to carry him in the van of Cupboard, which proved his most persistent opponent and, showing excellent ability on the short curves, never seriously left the result in doubt. At the end, under a mild hand ride, Clarksdale finished leading Cupboard by three lengths, with the latter experiencing little difficulty in staving off Seemego, which barely lasted for the short end of the spoils. Threats of rain failed to hurt the attendance for the fourth day of the local meeting, the crowd being up to average size and the racing being keenly contested. There was a shower over the course in the second race, but it passed away quickly and the sun came out for the remainder of the afternoon.
