view raw text
International "Chase Heads Belmont Program Ossabaw Is Opposed by Seven Other Timber-Toppers Today ELMONT, L. I.. N. Y.. May 11.— Belmont Parks gala spring meeting, after a successful opening today, moves on tomorrow afternoon to the forty-fifth running of the International Steeplechase Handicap, a test of "about two miles, over the picturesque brush course that has attracted some of Americas most accomplished fencers, and promises a contest that will lure Long Islands large chase and hunt set to the Nassau County course. The International is the initial hedge stake of the local turf season and the first of an interesting series of six such fixtures at the Westchester Racing Associations twenty-four-day session. With ,000 in endowment, it has drawn an octet headed by two such renowned entertainers as Pete Bostwicks top-weighted Cottesmore, under 157 pounds, and Louis B. Mayers dusky Ossabaw, burdened with 152. This duo is best known of a group that also embraces Mrs. F. A. Clarks Invader, under 142, and F. Ambrose Clarks Castletown, 138; Roke-by Stables Redlands, 140; Jock Whitneys Cupid, 139; Montpeliers Caddie, 137, and Kent Millers Elk Ridge, under 133. Ossabaw will be striving for his second consecutive triumph in the International, that eight-year-old having carried the almost unheard of burden of 161 pounds to victory in a spectacular "1941 conquest in this feature. The Grandace gelding qualified impressively for this engagement a few days back, at Pimlico, where he tow-roped a fair field of chasers. Cupid to Start Jock Whitneys Cupid is an interesting entrant in this International. He beat his stablemate, Massa, in an exciting finish in a valuable Gran Nacional at Agua Caliente last winter. Cottesmore, victor in one of the most remarkable of all Belmont Grand National performances a couple of seasons back, was thoroughly trained and seasoned in the Southland during the winter and early spring, and recently at Pimlico was second in a track-record run. He is reported back at best form and has a large local following. Invader and Redlands are always factors to be reckoned with in good company when not too heavily burdened, and they have 142 and 140, respectively, here. If all the eight promised in the International start, the winner will pick up a net purse of ,300. Surrounding tomorrows feature are seven well balanced flat events, including an interesting six-furlong allowance test for three-year-old fillies that has a purse of ,500 and is styled the Flitaway. There are ten in this test, including a number of eligibles for the important 0,000 added mile Acorn, which is to have its twelfth running on Wednesday, May 30. The Selima heroine, Ficklebush. and the recent Keeneland winner. Light Lady, are among the Acorn hopefuls, who will be on view in the Flitaway. Others are Smiles. ; Zaca Rosa and Davie Cruiser. In addition, theres an allowance event of five furlongs for two-year-olds that will find several smart prospects for stakes in I this division swinging into action. One of | these is Hickory Head, a half brother of Devil Diver in Mrs. Payne Whitneys successful Green tree band. This race is on the Widener straightaway, while Ihe filly event is on the main track.
