view raw text
1 ! 1 c j : j o I ] ; | i I ] ! j , i . j ] | ■■ j i | . I ; ] , ! ; [ Detroit Opener To Plucky Teddy Holds On Courageously in Final Eighth to Have Neck Advantage Over Mister Big DETROIT, Mich., June 29.— Plucky Teddy, a representative of T. C. Melrose, Cleveland, Ohio, sportsman, earned a game decision in the first race at the Detroit Fair Grounds today before a crowd of 9,000 enthusiastic patrons. Well ridden by jockey William Canning, Plucky Teddy reached the end of the mile and one-sixteenth test a neck before A. Strauss Mister Big, who enjoyed a three-quarter-length margin over B. M. Smiths Prospect Boy. The favored Dissension Sir, racing under the silks of J. L. McKnight, was in the first flight for three-quarters of a mile and then gave way badly, winding up a soundly beaten eighth in the field of 12 colts, geldings and horses contesting. In accounting for his first purse of the 1943 season. Plucky Teddy, a three-year-old son of Quatre Bras II. — Cinema, completed his task over the fast strip in 1:47. Overlooked somewhat in the speculation, the Melrose colorbearer rewarded backers with a 6.60 straight tote pay-off. In Good Position From Start Starter Bryan Steele dispatched the field in perfect alignment and Plucky Teddy secured a good position at once while Flying Reign and Mister Big engaged each other for the early advantage. Canning did not hurry the victor and kept his charge well in hand during the first half mile as the leaders — Mister Big, Flying Reign and Dissension Sir — dominated the running. Approaching the turn for home Plucky Teddy moved up boldly and, after a brief duel with Mister Big, managed to reach the front over the latter as Dissension Sir gave way and dropped out of serious contention. Plucky Teddy drifted out during the last eighth of a mile, but Canning kept after him and he held on determinedly enough to retain his advantage over Mister Big. Prospect Boy closed willingly to garner the minor portion of the purse by a half length over Sherlock, who also made a good bid during the stretch run. Johnny Daniels, who recently took over the training of the Mrs. C. C. Winters sta- ble, saddled his first starter for the establishment and celebrated with a victory when Valdina Bishop took a half length decision in the second race, at six furlongs. Mrs. H. P. Bonners favored Vegas Justice ran second, two and one-half lengths before E. Gay Drakes Foulard, who finished third in the field of 12 colts, geldings and horses contesting the race.
