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Concedes Weight to Natchez, Rico Monte and Four Others Blue Grass, Cosmic Missile; Mother Among Eleven Classy Fillies Going in Pimlico Oaks PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 8.— Setting the stage for its gala week-end Preak-ness presentation, the Maryland Jockey Club tomorrow offers a colorful eight-race program co-featured by the 0,000 mile and three-sixteenths Dixie Handicap for older horses, and the 0,000 mile and a sixteenth Pimlico Oaks, for three-year-old fillies. The eagerly anticipated Dixie renewal will offer Maryland enthusiastics their first 1947 view of King Ranchs Assault the four-year-old colt who now ranks fourth in the list of the countrys leading money-winning thoroughbreds. The Robert J. Kleberg stalwart will carry top weight of 129 pounds and will be opposed by Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Natchez 126, Arnold Hangers Rico Monte and Richard Ryans Talon, who will run as an entry and carry 120 and 115 pounds, respectively; Kenneth A. OConnors Statesman 115, Christiana Stables Alexis 108, and Flash Burn, who will carry 113 pounds and run coupled with Assault, Hancock Has Entry in Oaks Eleven lassies were named overnight to compete in the Oaks, with all starters naturally to carry 121 pounds. The overnight field includes King Ranchs But Why Not, Circle M Farms Cosmic Missile, the Arthur B. Hancock entry of Blue Grass and Springtide, C. V. Whitneys Mother, William Helis Arctos, Christiana Stables tandem of Camargo and Oberod, Orefield Farms Oresusan, A. Massimianos Caliper and Rokeby Stables Flying Fortress. While it is not necessary to delve into the 1946 record of Assault, it is only fitting to reiterate that in winning the "Triple Crown" and several other races he garnered purse money of 24,195 to establish a new earnings record for a horse in a single season. This record enabled him to easily gain recognition as the "Horse of the Year." In his seasonal debut this year, Assault ran back to his near-sensational early spring trials to whip a good field in annexing honors in Jamaicas Grey Leg Handicap. While the Bold Venture colts record alone will make him a top-heavy choice, the presence of Eddie Arcaro in the pilot house will, no doubt, gain him additional admirers. Running Mate for Assault Assault will have a worthy running mate in Flash Burn, a four-year-old son of Braz-ado and Incandescent. This fellow has been completely out-shadowed by his more illus-trous stablemate, but managed to win more than his share of races. He was a stakes-winner last season and only last Saturday trounced a smart field in winning the Git-tings Handicap over the local track. He will be ridden by Efrain Garza. Certain to draw much support in the Dixie is Natchez, the Jamestown — Creole Maid colt who is unbeaten in two endeavors this season. In his 1947 debut, Natchez won a division of the six furlongs Harford Handicap, then came back about 10 days later to be first home in the Edward Burke Handicap. In the last named race he toted 126 pounds and reeled off a mile and a sixteenth in l:423/3, the best time ever recorded in Maryland for the oft-used distance. Eric Guerin, the highly-capable pilot who scored with Jet Pilot in last Saturdays Kentucky Derby, has been engaged to handle Natchez tomorrow. The South American entry to be saddled Continued on Page Twenty-Six Assault Gives Weight To Six Foes in Dixie Blue Grass, Cosmic Missile and Mother Among Eleven in Oaks Continued from Page One by trainer Horatio Luro, namely, Rico Monte and Talon, cannot be entirely overlooked. Rico Monte is generally regarded as the better of the pair, but has yet to start this season. However, his morning trials over this track leave little to be desired, and he can be relied upon to give a good account of himself. Talon raced well in Florida the past winter, but turned in a disappointing effort recently in New York. Statesman and Alexis finished second and fifth, respectively, in last weeks Git-tings Handicap, and improvement can be expected from both of these capable routers. Statesman turned on a late spurt which fell short by only a nose of wearing down Flash Burn, while Alexis weakened after setting the pace and may have needed the effort. The Oaks field contains the one-two-three horses from the recent Kentucky Oaks, namely, Blue Grass, Cosmic Missile and Mother. While Blue Grass was the winner, many felt that Cosmic Missile may have been the best filly in the race. She was badly bumped by Blue Grass stable-mate, Springtide, in the early running and completely knocked off stride. At that, she finished only a neck off the winner. Cosmic Missile already has won the Jasmine and Ashland Stakes this year, and finished second in Hialeah Parks Columbiana Handicap. That she likes the local track is a certainty, for she was a galloping winner of the Marguerite Stakes here last fall. Trainer Max Hirsch, who seems to hold a strong hand in the Dixie, may also saddle a stout contender for Oaks honors in But Why Not. While racing for John R. Bradley last year, But Why Not was only lightly campaigned, winning two of her four starts. She returned to competition recently in New York and came from off the pace to win a six-furlong sprint in 1:11%. That effort, as well as her Blue Larkspur — Be Like Mom breeding, indicates that the one mile and a sixteenth distance is not beyond her capabilities.
