view raw text
MERRY MAKERTR1UMPHS Defeats Court Scandal and Matey at Havre de Grace. Aero Finishes in Front in Maiden Race But Is Disqualified Track Becomes Sloppy. HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., April 21. Merry Maker, racing for Mrs. Myrtle Shea, gave further evidence that he is to be reckoned with in his three-year-old engagements when he easily defeated three opponents in the Glen Oaks Purse, headline attraction today and forerunner to more important stakes to follow. Carrying 114 pounds and ridden by jockey Charles Kurtsinger, the son of Cynic and Isabella romped home winner over three others, all stake aspirants of his own age. Duplicating his easy victory over a fast track earlier in the meeting, Merry Maker showed that track conditions did not detract from his ability as he loped across the finish line two lengths before Mrs. C. S. Bromleys Sunphantom. Driving hard and finishing fast, Court Scandal, winner of the Flamingo Stakes, was third, a half length away and before the only other starter, Walter M. Jeffords Matey. Merry Maker has been nominated for the Chesapeake, Derby, and Preakness. The race today, as a spectacle, was devoid of interest. Sunphantom delayed the start for six minutes by his unruly actions, but a good start was effected. Sunphantom was hustled into the lead and drew clear as he swung into the backstretch. His advantage was held under sufferance, however, for Merry Maker was well in hand as he raced in second position before Court Scandal, which led Matey by a big margin after the latter had gone very wide on the first turn. AVINS UNDER RESTRAINT. Leaving the back stretch the eventual winner was given his head and surged to the front easily. Once clear in command, Kurt-singer nursed his charge before Sunphantom to the end, where he was under the stoutest kind of restraint Sunphantom continued gamely when headed and had enough left to stave off the belated bid of Court Scandal at the end. Matey, after going very wide on Continued on twenty-second page. MERRY MAKER TRIUMPHS Continued from first nage. the first turn, was never a serious contender and was not persevered with as he followed the field while racing wide. Rain, which fell throughout the morning and continued until post time, left the track in a sloppy condition, which later turned more holding to be designated muddy. Despite the condition of the track and the overcast sky, the excellent attendance that the meeting has enjoyed continued. Upslala, racing for E. K. Bryson, toyed with the others which met in the opening dash. Rushed into command immediately after the start, Upslala was rated in the van position throughout by jockey Harry Richards and drew away without difficulty to score by three lengths in handy style. Closest to the winner at the end came her nearest rival throughout the race, Bestest, which raced for J. F. Flanagan and which was one and a half lengths before Frank Brooke. TOUCIIE BY LENGTH. Touche, favored by the going, and finding the competition that she met in the second race,- at six furlongs, to her liking, drove to a half length victory over seven others of her age that met under claiming conditions. A half length in the wake of the winner and forcing her to do her best, Lucky Color finished stoutly to be second, while third went to Joan Asbestos. Touche quickly disposed of Alahad to take a short lead as the half mile mark was passed and when clear in front was steadied along while saving ground. - A disqualification came out of the running of the third race, when Cary T. Graysons Aero, after leading throughout the six furlongs test which attracted nine non-winners, raced across the finish line two and one-half lengths before Prince Alone, only to be set back for fouling just after the half-mile post had been passed. The revised placing gave Prince Alone the victory, Pompish second and Bold General third. Aero, racing kindly in the going, took the lead and was leading Fyan when the latter was driven up on the inside of the pacemaker in an attempt to take command. Ren-ick, on the leader, closed the gap, and Fyan was forced back badly, sprawling when off stride and dropping out of contention immediately. Aero continued in the van position and was not threatened for the remainder of the race. GOLD BAND IMPRESSIVELY. Gold Band, flaunting the silks of the Bomar Stable and making his first start of the year, romped to an impressive victory in the Harewood Purse, secondary attraction on the card. The son of Jean Val-jean and Inquiry, which is nominated for the Chesapeake Derby and Preakness, displayed a fondness for the muddy going to negotiate the six furlongs in 1:1314 to lead in four others of his age by a length and a half, a distance which could have been increased had his rider so willed. Morning, racing for Mrs. R. A. Van Ciief and favored in the wagering, raced closest to the winner at all times, and in the final quarter mile, made repeated attempts to dislodge him from the leadership. Gold Band was never fully extended to thwart these bids. Saidona accounted for the sixth race when she found a track suitable to her underpinning to lead home the band of five platers opposing her in the mile and a sixteenth test. At the end the winner had an advantage of three lengths before Tedsim, but was kept under pressure as he was inclined to stop. Tedsim was easily best of the others, and Duchess Reigh was two and a half lengths away to be third.
