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Flash Burn Staves Off Statesmans Challenge Only Nose Separates Pair in Gittings Handicap at Pimlico PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 3.— King Ranchs Flash Burn, who seems destined to spend his entire racing career completely overshadowed by his stablemate, Assault, won his first race of the year today, annexing major honors in the Maryland Jockey Clubs Gittings Handicap. Responding to the sting of Jockey Efrain Garzas whip, Flash Burn showed extreme gameness while racing a mile and one-sixteenth in 1:484 over a slightly dulled track. Kenneth A. OConnors Statesman was a charging second and missed overtaking Flash Burn by only a nose. Two lengths farther back came Alfred Vander-bilts Detection, while the heavily -backed favorite, Turbine, managed to beat only a single horse, Trymenow, who, with his stablemate, Mahout, was held as second choice. Flash Burn turned in the best race of his career, and in so doing, practically assured himself of a chance to race as Assaults running mate in next weeks Dixie Handicap. Flash Burn paid 9.00 and earned ,200. The best crowd of the meeting, 25,630 fans braved intermittent showers to witness the program. Christiana Stables Alexis and Art-Dale Stables Gorget showed the most speed from the barrier, racing almost as a team for more than five furlongs. Flash Burn was being snugged just off the top pair and did not commence his rally until rounding the final bend. Once having displaced Gorget and taken a daylight advantage, Flash Burn appeared destined for an easy triumph, but this was not the case. Statesman had been snugged back in fifth and sixth position by the veteran Ovie Scurlock and, once roused, set sail for the pacemakers. Forced wide when Flash Burn drifted out after assuming the lead, Statesman rushed up on the flanks of Flash Burn and continued his ground-gaining momentum. While his charge was telling on Flash Burn, Statesman was not equal to the task and missed by a nose. Detection, a rank outsider, made a late charge along the inside, and indeed, may have been a serious threat, had he not lacked room on the inside of the tiring Gorget in the last 70 yards.
