view raw text
„ __ — -., ■ ■ t Pig Tails Qualifies For Kentucky Oaks Whips Questvive by Neck in Rose of Sharon Purse, With Emolument Finishing Third LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 5.— Woolford Farms Pig Tails, Frank P. Letelliers Questvive and J. Kel Houssels Emolument gave rise to the prospects of a rousing battle in the Kentucky Oaks here this week-end when they finished lapped on each other at the end of the seven-furlong Rose of Sharon Purse at Churchill Downs today. All three are eligible for Saturdays ,000 added run of a mile and a sixteenth, as are the five three-year-olds who finished behind them. Pig Tails, ridden by Warren Strickler, won todays feature by a neck, while Questvive beat the fast-closing Emolument a nose for the place. In finishing fourth, Mrs. V. E. Smiths Sis Baker was less than a length farther back to suggest that she, too, might be a sharp factor in the Oaks. The Woolford Farm filly displayed high speed and rare courage in her victory. Before reaching the far turn she took a slight lead over the diminutive Fillibeg and then, after shaking her off, withstood repeated challenges from Sis Baker. The latter weakened in the last eighth, and then near the end Pig Tails had to withstand the bids of Questvive and Emolument. Favorite Closes Strongly Emolument, a heavily supported choice, trailed the field to the stretch turn and then came to the extreme outside for the charge that carried her to the leaders in the closing strides. But for the ground she lost turning into the home stretch, she might have been the winner. In any case, the manner in which she made up ground suggested she should be a powerful factor over the increased distance of Saturdays stake. Besides Fillibeg, who weakened badly after a half mile, Valdina Melia, Gold Princess and Crystal were in the Rose of Sharon Purse, named in honor of a former winner of the Kentucky Oaks. Todays Downs program was witnessed by a large crowd which seemed to enjoy the excellent week-day presentation. The third race today, a dash of four and one-half furlongs for two-year-olds, saw J. D. Weils Short Life score his third straight success in four starts. This shifty son of Tintagel and Blandishment, ridden by George Wallace, broke in front and stayed there, easily whipping six other youngsters. His winning margin was four lengths. Captain Zac was expected to offer Continued on Page Three Pig Tails in Qualifying Race for Kentucky Oaks Defeats Questvive by Neck in Downs Rose of Sharon Purse Continued from Page One sterner opposition, but he stumbled at the break and got settled into his best stride too late to finish better than second. Carbonate, who won here earlier in the meeting, was third. Another juvenile winner today was Mrs. R. J. Murphys Aerial Torpedo, who graduated out of the maiden ranks in the first event, also contested at four and one-half furlongs. This daughter of Ariel was also in front all the way and scored with almost two lengths to spare. Icy Run was closest to her at the wire, while Smokin Ott was third. A locally owned winner presented itself in the fifth race, a run of a mile and a sixteenth, which went to the eight-year-old Miss Bonnie, owned by D. J. Gleeson. She made her own pace and held War Vision safe in the drive to win by a length and a half. Vesuvius was third, well back of War Vision. Miss Bonnie was guided by apprentice George Ryan, who also piloted Aerial Torpedo.
