view raw text
Thrilling Battle Looms In Kentucky Handicap Royal Crusader, Aonbarr and Steel Heels Clash Saturday LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 11.— The R C Stables Royal Crusader, Miss Helen Hickmans Aonbarr, and Junius W. Bells Steel Heels represent the "big three" of the field being pointed for Saturdays running of the Kentucky Handicap at Churchill Downs, and their tri-cornered battle for honors over the mile and an eighth route should produce one of the most interesting events of the meeting. Others will be in the race, which tops the final program here, but most attention will be directed toward Royal Crusader, Aonbarr and Steel Heels, among whom many believe first honors will rest. Royal Crusader, who scored a surprise victory in the Churchill Downs Handicap during Derby week, indicated his fitness Sunday morning when he breezed an easy mile and a furlong in 1:5925, the mile in 1:46. Since he is at the peak of his condition right now, he will require little more in the way of heavy work to keep him on edge for Saturdays ,500 added test. The R C Stable horse was one of the outstanding handicap horses in California last year. He won two important features at Del Mar and set a track record at that seaside course. In addition, he placed in a number of other stakes in which he competed with the best the West Coast handicap division could muster. Aonbarr has been second in each of two engagements at Churchill Downs this spring. He was narrowly beaten by Whirl-away in the Clark Handicap, and then after a rough trip finished second to Royal Crusader in the Churchill Downs Handicap. Aonbarr, locally-owned, has a big following in Louisville, but so has Steel Heels, also a home town representative. Steel Heels has not been to the post this meeting, but he has been training well and he can be expected to give a good account of himself this week-end. Last summer at Arlington Park he won the Stars and Stripes Handicap and his owner is looking forward to another big year with him. Among those Royal Crusader, Steel Heels and Aonbarr may encounter in Saturdays stake are Jake Lowensteins Heartman, Mrs. E. L. Martins Supreme Sir, Mrs. Carl Grahams Boss Hoss, Howard Wells Equifax and the Arcturus Stables Pink Gal.