Visigoth Proves Best: Wins Woodland Claiming Handicap at Churchill Downs.; Favorites Successful in Majority of Races on Program--High Renown Easily Best in Opening Race., Daily Racing Form, 1939-05-20

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VISIGOTH PROVES BEST Wins "Woodland Claiming Handicap at Churchill Downs. Favorites Successful in Majority of Races on Program — High Renown Easily Best in Opening Race. LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 19.— The Woodland Claiming Handicap, at seven furlongs, topped todays program at Churchill Downs, and in it the Shady Brook Farms Visigoth, performing in a selling race for the first time in his long career, raced to a clever victory. The eight-year-old son of Noel was guided by Willie Garner. He got his mount home in front by a length after covering the distance on a fast track in 1:25%. The race was a real thriller, and from the head of the stretch to the final sixteenth it appeared to be anybodys. Then Visigoth got to the front and stayed there with Al au Feu finishing second and Noel H. third, another length back. Don Moss finished fourth, a half-length behind Noel H. and a head before Tiger Teddy, the only other starter. While Noel H. was pacing the field, Visigoth was well back of the leaders. Hp trailed for almost a quarter-mile and then began to improve his position. In the home stretch he uncorked one of his customary rallies and moved up steadily, getting to the front finally within a short distance of the wire. Noel H., in making the pace, stuck gamely to his task to the last eighth and then began to show signs of distress, Al au Feu passing him in the closing strides to get the place. The Woodland Handicap topped a card of nine races which included a gentlemens cup race, a test of six furlongs which attracted a field of six. The amateur riders who took part in this added attraction were Baylor O. Hickman, Earl E. Major, Byron Hilliard, G. S. Howell, George Peters and Rieder Schell. A good-sized crowd was out for the days sport although the weather was threatening most of the afternoon. Favorites were successful in three of the first four races run during the afternoon. High Renown opened the program with an easy score and Pelter also took down honors in easy fashion in the second race. Boy Baby made it three straight for the form players in the third event. The fourth race went to Pepper Box, with Lady Wo in second place. The favorite, Gin Fritters, was just a head and a neck off the leaders at the wire.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1930s/drf1939052001/drf1939052001_1_5
Local Identifier: drf1939052001_1_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800