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»! rwm C. C. NORMAN— Sent out the Murlogg Farm homebred, Gee Whiz, to prevail in the 20th running of the Joliet Stakes. Faultless Faultless Easily Easily Wins Wins Withers Withers Mile; Mile; Gee Gee Whiz Whiz Accounts Accounts For For Joliet Joliet Stakes Stakes Drives Home in Mud Before Blue Helen Murlogg Homebred Length In Front as Safety First Runs Third at Hawthorne HAWTHORNE, Cicero. DL, May 17.— Finding favor with the muddy footing. Gee Whiz, from the Murlogg Farm of Mrs. R. J. Murphy and Miss Susan E. Kellogg, drove to a convincing score in the five-furlong Joliet Stakes, first of the principal features for two-year-olds in the Chicago area this season. At the end, Gee Whiz was a length before Joenace Stables Blue Helen after the latter had taken a short lead on the turn and fought it out stubbornly to the end. Dixianas Safety First was two lengths farther back, closing fast to take third honors. The winner was well handled by Albert Bodou, who sent the Johnstown colt over the distance in 1:02%. Gee Whiz was scoring his second success in seven starts, his initial victory having been obtained over heavy footing at Gulfstream Park. The Murlogg colt came in for considerable support and returned 0.80 and his victory netted his owners ,425. Hypostyle Wheels After Break The start was a good one but William Mikels Hypostyle wheeled immediately after the break. Merry Zac was first to show in front and the Zacaweista filly was able to carry her speed only to the far turn where she quit abjectly. It was here that Blue Helen moved into a short lead, but was soon accompanied by Gee Whiz, while Merry Zac was dropping back and Belmont Beauty also found it impossible to keep up. Around the turn and into the stretch, Blue Helen and Gee Whiz raced as a team with the latter on the outside and it was not until the furlong marker was reached that the eventual winner was able to show in front. From that point to the finish line Bodiou was at work on his charge and Gee Whiz moved out gradually from the stubborn Blue Helen. Safety First did not have the speed to race with the early pace but when set down in the stretch the son of Isolater moved up stoutly but his best was not good enough to overtake the embattled leaders. Rain that fell overnight and throughout the morning left the track muddy and it was only at intervals during the afternoon Continued on Page Twenty-Seven , i i Gee Whiz Finds Muddy Going To Liking in Joliet Stakes Continued from Page One that the sun broke through. The excellent program that supported the Joliet Stakes and the Belle of America Handicap consisted of six races under allowance conditions and aided in attracting a crowd of 18,673. The Belle of America Handicap terminated in a thrilling finish when Shady Brook Farms Merrymarch, making his first local start of the season, drove up on the outside to wrest command right on the wire from Ben Fogelsons pace-setting Pet-some. Third in the field of eight went to Mrs. R. Luginbuels lightly-weighted Sugar Beet. Joenace Stables Juke Box, the highweight under 124 pounds, and Mrs. G. H. Emicks Hollyman, second high-weight under 117 pounds, were installed nearly split favorites, but could not offer serious contention. Jockey Dale Pruitt rode the winner, carrying 106 pounds, and sent his charge over the distance in 1:22. He paid 4.20. Petsome, fastest away and in a running mood, went to the front at once and quickly disposed of a feeble effort from Juke Box. Sugar Beet moved into second place when Juke Box was done and Merrymarch was next in line and not far back. Through the home lane Petsome was able to inch her advantage to two lengths and the effort of Sugar Beet to keep apace proved fruitless and he tired from the attempt. Taken to the outside in the stretch, Merrymarch was asked for his best and when placed to stout pressure inched to Petsome with each stride and succeeded in gaining a head verdict on the wire.
