view raw text
1 Black Skimmers Closing Bid Nets Victory in Detroit Dash * Comes to Outside for Run Down Home Lane to Defeat Darby Ducat Half-Length DETROIT, Mich., June 21.— Black Skimmer, racing under the silks of David Ferguson and given a well-judged ride by Paul Keiper, won the second race of six furlongs at the Detroit Fair Grounds today. Coming to the outside for the stretch run, Black Skimmer was up in the closing strides to take a half-length decision over Darby Dan ; Farms Darby Ducat, who was three-quarters of a length before H. Castles War Shy. | Twelve three-year-olds met in the sprint and the favored War Wise ran sixth. In capturing her first victory of the 1943 ! campaign, Black Skimmer raced the distance over the fast track in 1:12%. Second choice in the wagering, the Ferguson I filly, a three-year-old daughter of Balladier j and Scarp, paid .20 in the straight pool I and completed the Daily Double, worth , 07.60. Rather slow to reach her best stride, ■ Black Skimmer was badly outrun during the first three furlongs, but Keiper bided i his time with the victor and she moved along steadily at a saving of ground. Side Order, Mattie Sue, Gold Betty and War Shy were closely lapped in that order passing the first quarter post, while Black Skimmer was no better than eleventh. Taken Out for Drive Approaching the stretch, War Shy went into command, establishing a two and one-half lengths lead over Mattie Sue, while Black Skimmer moved up menacingly on the rail and in ninth position. Keiper then ! sensed that his mount could not reach seri-j ous contention from the inside and steered I the victor out for the closing drive. Black ] Skimmer responded readily to urging and she wore down the leaders in impressive fashion in the run to the wire. Darby Ducat came between horses and finished strongly under punishment, but j she was unable to overhaul the winner, I although besting War Shy, who held on ] gamely enough to annex minor honors. j Mattie Sue, who had been a forward factor I to the last eighth, tired nearing the finish : and lost the short end of the purse by a 1 head margin to War Shy. An excellent crowd turned out for the [ sport at the Motor City course this after - 1 noon and wagering was brisk throughout 1 the entire matinee. Several stoutly backed thoroughbreds were successful in reaching the winners circle and the Benjamin Wight Purse, six-furlong three-year-old feature, created much interest. Twelve maiden three-year-olds met in the initial offering of six furlongs and resulted in a half length graduation verdict for Ken Marleys Alan F., who was almost entirely overlooked in the wagering, returning his scattered backers a straight tote pay-off of 5.40. Alertly ridden by Shelby Clark, Alan F., went to the front at the start and shaking off repeated bids by Mrs. H. P. Bonners favored Ariel Image, retained his advantage to the finish, scoring by a half length margin. Third to finish the distance was J. War field Rodgers Equal Chance, who was a length behind Ariel Image at the final marker.
