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Bonnet Ann Rated Highly by Baroni Daughter of Blue Larkspur And Ann ORuley Intended Starter in Pimlico Oaks NEW YORK, N. Y., April 30.— "Better than her mother." Thats what Albert Anthony "Bert" Baroni thinks of Bonnet Ann. This three-year-old daughter of Blue Larkspur and Ann ORuley, by Man o* War, isnt known to eastern racing fans, but the Nevada horseman believes they will be well acquainted with her after the running of the Pimlico Oaks on May 2, and more so after the Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park on Wednesday, May 27. Baroni is in New York with his small stable, a refugee from California. However, he is no stranger to the Metropolitan circuit, becoming famous with Top Row after he had claimed that capable little son of Peanuts from Mrs. Robert L. Gerry for ,000. Despite the interruption to California racing, the far-seeing Baroni had planned upon an eastern invasion this season, particularly to give Bonnet Ann every opportunity to prove herself as he placed her in nomination for the Coaching Club American Oaks at its closing last August. Purchased Filly for ,500 Baroni, who had seen potentialities in Top Row when he performed in a claiming race, spotted Ann ORuley as a likely prospect and obtained the Belair Stud filly for ,500 out of a claiming event at Rockingham Park in 1934. She was then a two-year-old. Under Baronis patient direction, she steadily developed until ranked as one of the best members of her division. Ann ORuley finished second to Sea-biscuit in the Mohawk Claiming Stakes in one of her better efforts. Baroni intended to claim either Seabiscuit or Goldeneye out of that event and settled upon the latter, who developed into a sound purchase. However, Charles S. Howard purchased Seabiscuit a short time later to see that horse become the worlds leading money-winner. Upon being retired, Ann ORuley was bred to Blue Larkspur and then was shipped to Carleton Burkes farm in California, where she foaled the filly now prized so highly by Baroni. She won one of her seven starts as a juvenile and was third in the Haggin Stakes at Hollywood Park, but her owner believes she will come into her own over the distances of the important filly stakes.
