view raw text
Fox Brownie Ekes Out Nose Decision Over Unchallenged in Belmont Event Eternity Only Head Off 1 Leaders in Six-Furlong Oyster Bay Handicap ELMONT, L. I., N. Y., June 13. — The Oyster Handicap, feature event at Belmont Park today, provided one of the most thrilling finishes of the season, with three horses crossing the wire on a line at the end of the six furlongs. John B. Thealls Fox Brownie proved the most photogenic of the trio, winning by a nose from Long-champs Farms Unchallenged, who was a scant head before B. F. Lister s Eternity. An outsider in the wagering. Fox Brownie returned 0.50 after stepping three-quarters in 1:12%. Hot, sultry weather did not deter a crowd of 27,847 from coming to the spacious Westchester Racing Association track to witness the off-day sport. Rain, which had been threatening all afternoon, burst with some vehemence just as starter George Cassidy sent the Oyster Bay field on its way in a perfect start. Wayne Wright sent Unchallenged to the front soon after the start and opened up a daylight lead with the favorite. Jean Miracle. Miss Drummond, Colchis, Offenbach, Eternity and Dusty were closely bunched back of the pacemaker as the field of 11 went to the first turn, with the ultimate winner far back. The first quarter was run in a sizzling :22%. Jean Miracle Shortens Stride Unchallenged continued to lead rounding the wide bend to the stretch and Jean Miracle began to shorten stride, while Colchis made a strong move on the outside that carried him into second place at the top of the home lane. The favorite was still in front by a couple of lengths as they straightened away, but began to drift out toward the ► _ [middle of the track. At the eighth pole, Eric Guerin found racing room along the rail and surged forward with Fox Brownie, while Arnold Kirkland made a strong bid with Eternity on the outside, and the two j bore down on the faltering favorite. At the same time, Colchis began to bear in and met interference. In the final yards, Unchallenged was still struggling desperately, with Fox Brownie I and Eternity charging on him from either I side. Fox Brownie drove his nose to the front in the last desperate stride, while | Eternitys bid just did fall short. Colchis, | who was coming on again, finished fastest 1 of all. Dusty had been away alertly, but could not keep up with the fast early pace and j dropped back along the rail, then finished strongly, while Jean Miracle was utterly out of wind at the end. Miss Drummond | was through at the end of a half mile, after having been right with the leaders.