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TORCHY VICTORIOUS IN KEENELAND OPENING STAKE Dixiana Colorbearer Leads All the Way in Phoenix Handicap Easy Mon Second, The Fighter Third and Favorite, Armor Bearer, Unplaced Secondary Feature to Roll and Toss Weather Conditions Ideal LEXINGTON, Ky., April 1S Torchy, which established the local record for the mile and one-sixteenth last fall, displayed the same sort of form in his 1939 debut by capturing the Phoenix Handicap, as Keenelands eleven-day spring meeting got away to an auspicious start this afternoon. The Dixiana colorbearer ran the six furlongs over a good but dull track in 1:12 to take the ,500 added feature by a length over Calumet Farms Easy Mon, a Kentucky Derby eligible. W. F. Morgans The Fighter was third, two and a half lengths farther back, as Preeminent was fourth in the field of six, of which Amor Bearer was the favorite. Pleasant weather prevailed for the inaugural, and the good-sized crowd in attendance wag- ereu me largest sum ever recorded for an opening day at the local course. The course gave every indication of being fast for tomorrows program as the weather improved steadily from the disagreeable conditions prevailing Tuesday and yesterday. TOO MUCH SPEED. Torchy had too much speed for his rivals in the Phoenix and as a consequence he earned ,525 for Charles T. Fisher, Detroit sportsman, who maintains the Dixiana stable. Joe Rosen had him off in front and kept him there all the way, rating him with excellent judgment until time for the drive. Within a short distance of the start, the four-year-old gelded son of Torchilla and Jemima Lee had opened up a lead of two lengths, which was increased rounding the turn, Torchy all the time being under steadying restraint. He displayed signs of tiring towards the end, but Rosen rode him briskly to hold Easy Mon safe. The latter was second all the way and was under the whip in his effort to run down Torchy, but although not good enough, had no difficulty in holding The Fighter safe. The Morgan veteran moved into third place on the turn, but was unable to further improve his position as Preeminent made a belated rush to be fourth. Armor Bearer was unable to make trouble, while Bernard F., the only other contestant, tired after being prominent for a quarter. Torchy was only moderately supported. ROLL AND TOSS BEST. Roll and Toss, one of Greentree Stables Kentucky Derby eligibles and a candidate for the Blue Grass Stakes, triumphed in handy fashion in the Crestwood Purse, the secondary feature, under good handling from Eddie Arcaro. Installed an even-money favorite in the mile and one-sixteenth number, the gelded son of Questionnaire Toss About won by a length and one-half over Valdina Farms Viscounty as C. W. Per-shalls Brown Ben was another two lengths back. Bellitas Babe was fourth in the field of six, of which Radio Gold was caught in close quarters at the first turn and was never able to enter contention. Hal Price Headley, president of the Keene-land Association, started the meeting auspiciously by sending out Ramases to take the opening event. Under a hustling ride from Silvio Coucci, the son of Pharamond II. and Panasette led all the way over the short half-mile course to win by a length and one-half over the Greentree Stables Red Dock, Continued on twenty-third page. TORCHY VICTORIOUS IN KEENELAND OPENING STAKE Continued from first page. the favorite, as Calumet Farms Bay Carse was five lengths back. Third Covey, coupled with the winner, was fourth in the field of a dozen maiden juvenile colts and geldings, many of which including the winner, were making their first start. MIDKIFF VICTORY. Malinda B., owned by D. B. Midkiff, and coupled in the field with Courtesy First, warmed the hearts of the long shot players in taking the second race, over ten other ordinary three-year-old platers at six furlongs. Moving up steadily on the outside in the stretch, the Greenock Agnes Call filly took the verdict by three-fourths of a length over E. A. Rotellis General R., as My Crest, I the favorite, was another nose back and a head before Stears. Opelika, one of J. Cal Milams Kentucky Derby eligibles, proved best of the dozen maiden three-year-olds clashing at six furlongs in the third race, drawing away in the stretch, under urging from Charles Kurt-singer as that rider of two Derby winners signalized his return to the saddle after laying off all winter. Decatur, the other Milam hope, was fourth, as the Milky Way Farms Sports Writer, likewise an eligible to the Churchill Downs classic, was second, with C. E. Hagyards Rude Awakening third. Another long shot to score was J. W. Mc-Clatchies Klister, in the fourth event over six furlongs, the four-year-old Cohort filly overtaking Bacon in the final few strides to win by a head. The Tall Trees Stables veteran might have rewarded the public but for being too much of a horse for little G. Wallace to handle. Jack Flinchum rode the winner, which was rated in fourth place until the final three furlongs, where she improved her position steadily. Bluefield set the pace until tiring in the stretch, where Bacon assumed command, while Star Banner, which finished third, two lengths back of the leaders, gained that position with a belated rush. .
