view raw text
GITTIKGS DRAWS STARS Handicap at Pimlico Attracts Heelf ly, Pompoon and Isolater. Overnight Nominees All Candidates 1* for 0,000 Dixie Handicap — Chases Continue Popular. BALTIMORE, Md., May 2.— Seven candidates for the 0,000 Dixie Handicap will make their 1939 Pimlico bow tomorrow in the second running of the Gittings Handicap, feature stakes "event for the third day of the meeting. Topping the list of those named is Pompoon, early favorite in the Dixie and winner of that event last year. The J. H. Louchheim colorbearer will be opposed by nine other good handicap horses, including six Dixie aspirants. These include W. L. Branns Challephen and Aethelwold, J. A. Manfusos Ocean Roll, Belair Studs Isolater, Mrs. Louise Viaus Rex Flag, Alfred G. Vanderbilts Heelf ly, H. P. Metcalfs High Velocity, E. R. Pikes and K. N. Gilpins Kenty, and Mrs. Colin MacLeods Pernie. The Gittings, at a distance of a mile and Che-sixteenth, is an excellent Dixie trial for Pompoon, which has been training over the Pimlico strip since last March 15 under the watchful eye of trainer Johnny Loftus. The son of Pompey — Oonagh is known to favor the Maryland Jockey Club course, off his 1938 Dixie victory in track record time, and also because of his excellent effort against War Admiral in the Preakness of 1937. The Louchheim colts trial spins indicate he is fit and ready to display his best form tomor--row afternoon. Chief among those scheduled to oppose Pompoon is Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilts Heelfly, back for an eastern campaign after a years rest. This five-year-old son of Royal Ford — Canfli is best recalled for his dead heat effort with Seabiscuit at Laurel Park in October, 1937, and the stable is anxious to learn whether or not he can- regain his form of that year. The Brann entry of Challephen and Aethelwold promises to furnish considerable opposition and, both being Maryland-breds, either would receive a warm welcome in the winners circle from the natives. Isolater, carrying the colors of Belair Stud, Is due to improve over his effort in the Philadelphia Handicap at Havre de Grace , - Continued on ninth page. GITTINGS DRAWS STARS Continued from first page. last Saturday when he finished fourth to Thanksgiving. In that event he was running close up throughout during the early part of the race and it may have been that he did not fancy the heavy going. Backing up the featured Gittings is the Old Dominion Handicap, a Grade C mile and seventy yards affair which attracted twelve entries. In this race Masked General, another Dixie eligible, is due to go postward. The Brandywine star is principally noted for his great effort in the first Pimlico Special here in 1937, when he ran second to War Admiral and in the opinion of many observers would have won if he had not run out in the stretch. Piccolo, Drudgery, Roman Lady and Short Distance were among the others named for this race, fifth on the days card. The steeplechase event, third race of the day, filled with an also eligible list for the second consecutive day. Apparently there is no indication that this phase of the thoroughbred sport Is on the decline in Maryland.
