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FAIR KN1GHTESS WINS Mare in Initial Triumph Under the Colors of Charles S. Howard. Euns Six Furlongs in 1:11% to Score by Three Lengths Over The Fighter and Go Home. NEW YORK, N. Y., May 23.— Fair Knight-ess, showing a return to the form which made her a top-grade stake winner during 1937, had little trouble disposing of four rivals in the Handspring Handicap, the six furlongs dash that featured todays competition at Belmont Park. C. S. Howards mare, stablemate of Californias champion, the sturdy Seabiscuit, raced over the distance in the swift time of 1:11%, going easy at the end to be three lengths in advance of the odds-on choice, The Fighter. Another four lengths away, Go Home closed steadily under punishment to take third place by daylight, with the fast-tiring Miyako fourth, and Bulwark a distant trailer. It was the first appearance for the daughter of Bright Knight and Fair Phantom since she fell in the San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita in mid-February. It also was her initial triumph under the Howard colors, that sportsman acquiring her by private purchase late in November. The fact that she had been away from the races for a considerable speel, coupled with the uncertainty as to how she would run in company after her mishap, resulted in slight wagering on her chances and the five-year-old mare went to the post at 6 to 1 after opening a point lower. ODDS-ON CHOICE FAILS. The Fighter was backed almost to the exclusion of the others at 3 to 5, as he had won his three previous races on Long Island in most convincing fashion. An outer position at the post aided Fair Knightess, as it eliminated all chances of crowding. She did not break as swiftly as The Fighter but raced around him in the first furlong to draw into a commanding lead as she left the back stretch. The Virginia-bred lady whirled the first quarter in :22J5 and the half in :45%, turning into the front lane with a three-length lead and apparently going well within herself. With all others driving hard behind her, Pollard had only to coast from the head of the stretch to the winning post. Royal Eminence appeared considerably best in the mile Short Hose Purse, an allowance affair for three-year-olds, few believing Bianco could ride such a poor race, or that Consul could improve enough after being beaten ten lengths in his previous outing to win. The result confounded the great majority of the crowd when the last named colt, colorbearer of the Howe Stable, drove home a length in advance of the heavily-backed favorite, with Red Glare five lengths further back as she earned third money. To say that Consuls improvement over his re-oent effort behind Sea Voyage was surprising, is not expressing it adequately. In racing the mile in 1:3843, he turned in a considerably better effort than the winner did on that afternoon. Continued on thirty-sixth page. I | I J FAIR KNIGHTESS WINS Continued from first page. Mrs. E. D. Jacobs Irish jumper, The Immortal II., won his third race in as many starts this year when he led home a small field in the cross-country event. It was over the short course, and the son of Stratford, under 154 pounds, was the top weight. Santi Quaianti. from the Groton Stable, took the place from Thomas Hitchcocks Tioga and Spinach after being virtually left at the post finished a close fourth. The only other starter was Kosan. Bauman was not ready when Cassidy sent the field away and he was pulling Spinach up, evidently not knowing it was a start. Spanish Way completed a double for the Mrs. Ethel D. Jacobs stable when he stood a long stretch drive to outlast La Charite, with Money Muddle taking third over Anne G., with Somali completing the field. The winner was ridden by Arcaro, who also scored a double. A. G. Vanderbilt served as a steward Monday in the absence of P. A. B. Widener, who was detained in Philadelphia.
