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Expect Fighting Step to Give Handicap Champion Acid Test Equifax, Double Winner of Stake and Fifteen Others Also Seek Arlington Fixture ; ARLINGTON PARK, Arlington Heights, 111., June 25. Mighty Armed, undisputed handicap champion of the American turf and victor in six stakes this year, will make his first start in Illinois since ascending the pedestal of fame, when he flashes his speed in the sixth running of the 0,000 Equipoise ; Mile here tomorrow afternoon. In spite o his marvelous feats since leav- ing the Prairie State last year after which 1 he proceeded to rack up a series of notable : victories that have placed him on a virtual par with the venerable Exterminator, Old Rosebud, Roamer, Sarazen and other great ; geldings of the past, owners of the majority of fleet thoroughbreds quartered here have . shown an utter disregard for the champion. : Possibly this was brought about because of 1 the 132 pounds he mustsjioulder, or possibly horsemen question his ability to handle the intermediate mile distance. The Murlogg Farms Fighting Step, a Western, favorite who qualified handsomely for the Equipoise by driving to an impressive victory in the 0,000 Clang Handicap here last Wednesday, is also well burdened. He will carry 126 pounds and is regarded as Armeds keenest rival. Others who will test the champion are Brent and Talbots Tiger Rebel, Christiana Stables Alexis, Virden and Scotts Bank Balance, Louis Schlossers Witch Sir, Mrs. Ada L. Rices Richmond Jac, Danada Red and Sirde; Walmac Farms Old Kentucky, David Straus Daily Trouble; Howard Wells Equifox, Mrs. V. E. Smiths Sirius, Shady Brook Farms Sandslinger, T. D. Buhls Air Sailor, Brolite Farms With Pleasure and Challenge Me, and Mrs. Clyde Troutts Take Wing. Set Worlds Mile Record of 1 :34Vs The Equipoise, which is one of the most sought-after stakes of the huge program of fixtures that have been offered during the combined Arlington-Washington meetings, is named after the famed "chocolate soldier" who raced to many stirring victories during his meteoric career. It was over ihe same one mile course out of a chute that Equipoise raced to a worlds record of 1:34. Illinois turf ties have never seen Armed in action as the handicap champion. The smart son of Bull Lea-Armful flaunted the Calumet colors in this area last September in the Washington Park Handicap when he was beaten by Louis B. Mayers champion filly Busher, in a hard drive. In a previous start he failed to match Three Dots tremendous speed in the Chicago Handicap. And before that he was a frequent winner, but failed to impress as a gelding who would go on to make turf history. It was after going east that he found himself and when he whipped Stymie, First Fiddle and others in the coveted Pimlico Special he assumed a place in the spotlight. From there he was shipped to Florida, and in the Everglade state he triumphed in three stakes including the 0,000 Widener and both divisions of Tropical Parks Double Event. Next came triumphs in the Philadelphia Handicap at Havre De Grace and the traditional Dixie at Pimlico. He capped off his feats for this season on Memorial Dayv when he crushed a large field in the 0,000 Suburban at Belmont Park. There are a large number of Chicago turfites who assume the "I remember Armed when!" attitude and refused to concede him anything until "they see lor Continued on Page Three Seventeen to Face Armed Today in Equipoise Mile Expect Fighting Step to Give Handicap Champion Stern Test Continued from Page One themselves." They saw him just after he was used around the Calumet stable to pony horses, and they saw him later after it seemed that he was at his best, but couldnt gain an inch on Busher in a hard stretch drive. It seems incongruous that he is returning to the scene of. his initial victories as a thoroughbred hailed throughout the land as virtually invincible at even weights, and a horse who is so highly rated by the handicappers that he is asked to concede up to 32 pounds to those who meet him tomorrow. Arlington Park, of course, feels gratified to have Armed in the race. Right now he is the Jack Dempsey of the turf and his "draw" is tremendous. Equifox, a son of Equipoise and who will flaunt Howard Wells colors in the feature, has been brought back to competition after serving in the stud this spring with a view to starting in tomorrows stake. Since he won the 1941 renewal and a division of last years running, a victory tomorrow would gain him permanent possession of the Equipoise Trophy, presented by C. V. Whitney, owner of the immortal mile record-holder. With Armed in the field and since "everyone loves a champion" Arlington Park officials are planning to play host to the largest week-day crowd, holidays excepted, in the history of the plant.
