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, Withastar Repels Knights Hills Closing Bid for Initial Triumph Finishes Almost Length to Good; Favored Jacks Creek Unplaced in Downs Sprint CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 14. — Withastar, a well-conformed son of Snark and Gay Music, carried W. M. Wickhams silks to a driving graduation victory here today in the Boot to Boot Purse, which engaged six two-year-olds. Smartly ridden by Don Scurlock, Withastar sped to the finish line of the five-furlong juvenile dash, three-quarters of a length before Mrs. Frank P. Letelliers Knights Hill, who was second by a similar margin over Brown Hotel Stables Balla-don. Joseph A. Goodwins favored Jacks Creek finished fourth, after displaying early speed. Finding the slow track very much to his liking, Withastar stepped the Boot to Boot distance in 1:01%. Making the second start of his brief career, the Wickham colt was second choice and paid .40 straight. Jacks Creek Gives Way Jacks Creek went to the front soon after starter Carl Burns sent the small field away, and Withastar raced in second position, while engaging the favorite to the stretch. Withastar drifted out a bit on the final turn, but when he was straightened for the run to the wire, quickly disposed of Jacks Creek and then continued gamely to hold Knights Hill and Balladon safe. Knights Hill, outrun during the early stages of the race, bore out badly during the last furlong, and bothered Balladon near the finish. Knights Hill, however, Continued on Page Thirty-One i ! ■ , i I * f I Withastar in Graduation Effort at Downs Course Continued from Page One lasted to withstand Balladons challenge, but the latter might have reversed the decision for place honors had he enjoyed better racing luck. Ideal overhead conditions prevailed in the Louisville area and a crowd of approximately 9,000 patrons witnessed the mid-, week sport. The racing strip, muddy for yesterdays card, improved to slow before the initial event today, and continued to get better as the matinee progressed. Jockey Scurlock completed a double when he rode Air Current, a representative of A. T. and C A. Pfeif f er, to a game triumph in the six-furlong second race. Air Current, who was making his first start since 1945, held a length and one-quarter advantage over Mrs. Lottie Wolfs Here Goes at the wire, while the latter earned the place award by three lengths over E. Neals fast-finishing Neaqueen, third in the field of 12 starters. Running time over the dull footing was 1:14% and Air Current, overlooked in the speculation, paid 3.60 straight.
