Filly Derby Winner: Mars Shield Outfinishes Heelfly in Arlington Downs Special, Daily Racing Form, 1937-04-19

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FILLY DERBY WINNER Mars Shield Outfinishes Heelfly in Arlington Downs Special. Milky Way Farm Colors Victorious for Second Consecutive Year Eastport Takes Third Place. ARLINGTON, Texas, April 17. Mars Shield, brilliant daughter of Diavolo and Escutcheon, carried Mrs. Ethel V. Mars Milky Way Farm colors to a driving victory in the fifth running of the 5,000 added Texas Derby before a crowd estimated at 25,000 this afternoon. Running the nine furlongs, in 1:503, which came within a fifth of a second of the track record, the filly led the Three Ds Stock Farms Heelfly by three-quarters of a length at the end. Mrs. V. Wyses Eastport, winner of the Arkansas Derby, which had Gallant Eagle as a companion and which finished last in the field of eight, was third, two lengths back of Heelfly and four lengths before Mrs. Cecil Gregorys Dead Calm, which saved fourth from Palan, Robert L., Sun Pilot and Gallant Eagle. EARNS 0,825. In winning the race for the second consecutive year for Mrs. Mars, Mars Shield, the first of her sex to achieve the coveted honors, earned 0,825 of the rich pot, which grossed 7,600. She was the second choice to Heelfly, which was held at odds of 29 to 20 and returned .70 for each straight. Again displaying unruly tactics at the barrier, Heelfly began from outside of the stalls and although he was the last in motion, George Woolf had him in a clear lead as the field swung around the lower turn. However, he attempted to bear out and Woolf was forced to use his whip on his head to straighten him. Entering the back-stretch, Eastport moved up within a half length of him but Heelfly responded in fine style and he had a two lengths advantage as they neared the final half mile. The winner was working her way forward on the outside, and as they approached the final quarter. Mars Shield was in third place and only a head back of Eastport. Driving past the latter she made for Heelfly in rapid strides, and she had her head in front of him nearing the final furlong. With Robertson using whip and heel. Mars Shield steadily increased her margin and she was fast drawing away from the favorite at the end. HEELFLY WITHOUT BLINKERS. It was Heelflys first effort without blinkers and under as much as 120 pounds, which was the .package carried by all but the winner which, with her sex allowance, got in under 115 pounds. No better weather could have been desired. A refreshing breeze that swept across Continued on thirtieth page. FILLY DERBY WINNER Continued from first page. the track tempered the summer-like- weather. Long before the first race the huge stands and clubhouse were filled and the overflow thickly populated the lawns and terraces. The clubhouse was packed to capacity and to care for the large luncheon reservations additional tables were set on the walks, and terraces. The big totalizator machine was given its first big workout and the certificate handle was by far the largest in years. The track, which has been deeply harrowed during the past few days, had a fine cushion. In addition to the winners portion, the owner received a beautiful trophy and an. elaborate floral design which was presented by Mrs. K. Paul and Mrs. Guy L. Waggoner. A mishap, a big surprise and a thrilling finish came with the three-quarters first race, when Peace River unseated his rider at the start and A. L. Pettys Beaver County got up to gain a head decision over Saxlen. The latter was a nose before the fast-finishing Myron, which led Grimaldi by three: lengths for minor honors. Goldman, the favorite, tired rapidly after chasing Grimaldi to the stretch. BUSY SPAIN WINS. Mrs. L. Hartricks Busy Spain made his 1937 debut in fine fashion when he was an easy winner of the second race, for which Zekiel, which finished fifth in the field of ten, was a disappointing favorite. Sir Thomas, the second choice, was second, and Miss Subway, which, with Clarify, began from outside of the stalls, third. Rushed to the front by Warren Cornay, the winner moved away from the others after five-sixteenths and the finish found him two and one-half lengths before Sir Thomas, which drove past the tiring Clarify and Miss Subway to be three lengths before the latter at the end. Another driving finish and an upset came with the nine furlongs third race when A. Warners Two Edged, a "fielder," made every post a winning one to gain a head decision over Chilnpre, a luke-warm favorite. Irish Image was third. TWO EDGED GAME. Steadied along after attaining a clear lead during the run to the back stretch. Two Edged, which was ridden by W. L. Johnson, responded in final style when Chilnore, which always was in closest pursuit, moved up on the outside of him approaching the final quarter and, holding on in game fash-Ion, he proved the strongest during the run to the wire. The first popular score came with the Lamplight Purse, fourth event, when Jubil-esta was an easy winner. Trans Wyn was second and Mr. Grief third. The winner began in fine style but was slow in reaching her best stride, and Trans Wynn established a clear lead during the run to the final three furlongs. However, Sammy Roberts soon got the winner going and, driving her into the lead entering the stretch, she rapidly established a clear advantage to be two and one-half lengths before Trans Wynn at the end.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1930s/drf1937041901/drf1937041901_1_4
Local Identifier: drf1937041901_1_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800