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Clark Handicap Brings Downs Meeting to End Old Kentuck Has Only Three Foes In Mile and One-Sixteenth Event LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 15.— The belated spring meeting at Churchill Downs will come to a close tomorrow with another running of the historic mile and a sixteenth Clark Handicap, traditional opening day feature at the South Louisville course, headlining the getaway day program. As usual, the annual session will be written into the records as a success, both from attendance and wagering standpoints, but numerous difficulties were encountered. Miserable weather persisted in this area almost from the opening day, May 26. This distressing fact, together with an acute shortage of thoroughly seasoned horses, often left racing secretary Larry Bogenschutz hard put to fill the daily . programs, although the Downs barns were generously tenanted. Although the ,000 Clark Handicap long has occupied an important place in Kentucky racing, tomorrows seventy-first running of the mile and a sixteenth event attracted only four starters, perhaps one of the smallest fields ever named for the valedictory feature. Heading the field is Walmac Farms Old Kentuck, who will be the starting high weight under 107 pounds. His competitors will be Black Pepper 105, Sentiment Sake 102, and Choppy Sea 103. The light response to the Clark was indeed distressing to handicapper Bogenschutz, who assigned weights to 37 original nominees. Conspicuous by his absence from the line-up is Howard Wells consistent performer, Equifox. Another notable absentee is Miller and Burgers good mare. While there are only four starters, the Clark field seems evenly matched and each should have his or her supporters among the closing-day throng. Old Kentucks only start this spring was in the mile and a sixteenth Ben Ali, in which he ran fourth behind Pot o Luck, Colonel Read and Cold Crack. Sentiment Sake was in the same event and was beaten a head by Old Kentuck. Choppy Seas only start this spring was in a three-quarter race in which he finished a fast closing third after breaking poorly and encountering all sorts of difficulty. Black Pepper was beaten a head by the long shot, See D., in a six-furlong dash, his only sally under silks this year.
