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WAR MINSTREL VICTORIOUS Denemark Silks Score in Woonsocket Purse at Narragansett Park. Chicago-Owned Racer Defeats Crack Band of Sprinters in Spectacular Contest — Intermittent Showers. PAWTUCKET, R. I., April 26 —The canary and blue silks of Mrs. Emil Denemark registered in a thrilling victory at Narragansett Park this afternoon when War Minstrel, coupled in the wagering with Genie Palatine, ran down a fleet band of sprinters in the stretch to take top honors in the featured Woonsocket Purse. The winner, an eligible for next Saturdays Portsmouth Handicap, qualified handsomely for that event in showing a return to some of the form which enabled him to beat Sea-biscuit last summer in the Stars and Stripes Handicap. While no such formidable rival was in the ranks this afternoon, War Minstrel completely proved his superiority over his company and is rated a sure starter in Saturdays stake. Under leaden skies and intermittent gusts of rain and before a crowd of more than 8,000 fans, surprisingly good in the face of weather conditions, a field of eight paraded to the starting gate for the feature. C. H. Trotters Silent Witness, an eligible for the Kentucky Derby, was honored with the post of luke-warm favoritism, although the Denemark entry was also well backed. Pit Terrier also came in for considerable support. DELAYED MOMENTARILY. In a good start, delayed only momentarily by the antics of Hope Diamond, Regal Sun raced into a short lead, closely pursued by Gallant Stroke and Silent Witness. Regal Sun was all done after a quarter mile, and it was then Gallant Stroke went to the lead. War Minstrel was coasting along in seventh place at this stage, but when jockey H. Schutte gave him his head he forged ahead rapidly to overtake his opponents. It was still Gallant Stroke turning for home, with Genie Palatine second and War Minstrel, saving all possible ground on the inside, in third place. Benefitting when the leaders swung a trifle wide, the ultimate winner went into the lead to draw away by two lengths at the end. Gallant Stroke staved off the challenge of Genie Palatine to take second honors by a length and a half with Genie Palatine half a length ahead of Silent Witness. Pit Terrier had no excuses in the running, nor did Panther Creek, which gave way after a brief challenge. The running time of 1:12% was good under the weather I conditions. Whether or not Silent Witness effort will have a bearing on plans for a Derby campaign could not be immediately determined. He was outrun by older company, but was gaining ground slowly at the end and would much prefer a longer route. DEADENED BY RAINFALL. Eight unpretentious three-year-olds faced the starter in the first race, at six furlongs. Over a track deadened by early rainfall, Woodlark proved best in a driving finish, with Cambreeze and the favored Bright Spot taking the other money positions. It marked the first 1939 New England victory for the Mrs. Emil Denemark stable of Chicago. Woodlark took command earlier, fought off a stiff challenge from Cambreeze on the stretch turn, and came away in the drive to win by a length. Bright Spot, the 6 to 5 choice, loomed up on the turn but tired when the real racing started, Cambreeze taking second place by a length and a half. The favorite was three lengths in front of Esprit. She was the fifteenth consecutive favorite to lose. L. H. Nimkoffs Free Again snapped the losing streak of favorites in sprinting to an easy four-length victory in the second race at the direct expense of Stavka and Count Rae. The favored daughter of John P. Grier showed a liking for the soft going, taking an early lead with M. R. Fishs Shantime and the Oaktrce Stables Stavka in closest pursuit. At the head of the stretch Stavka moved up with a rush that carried him to within half a length of the pacemaker, but apprentice D. Sena merely had to use his whip for Free Again to respond. BLOOMER GIRL IMPRESSES. The brown and purple of the Medway Stable finally found the winners ring as Bloomer Girl fattened the favorite players bankrolls with an impressive two and a half-length score in the third. W. H. Taverners Letselope and Miss L. C. Whites Good Omen were next in line at the wire. Good Omen cut out the early running with Light Wave and Letselope close up. Light Wave was soon done, showing the need of racing, and Letselope moved up, head and heac with the pace setter. Bloomer Girl, never far back, moved through between horses and caught the tiring leaders as they turned into the home stretch. From there to the stand apprentice W. L. Taylor merely had to sit still to win. A Kentucky Derby nominee, Float Away, simply outclassed his company in winning the fourth race, also decided at six furlongs. The B. M. Smith colorbearer, narrowly beaten on opening day, raced to an impressive five-length victory with jockey N. L. Pierson looking back at his field throughout the final eighth of a mile. Big Bully and Eye High finished second and third.
