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_ Ariel Ace Never Headed In Final Downs Feature Takes Measure of Shaws Pride With Favored Jacks Jill Third CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 17. — Ariel Ace, four-year-old son of Ariel and War Swept, carried the David Ferguson silks to an impressive and mildly surprising victory here today in the Desert Light Purse, top attraction on Churchill Downs closing day program. Smartly handled by Don Scurlock, who was completing a saddle double, the Detroit-owned winner sped to the finish of the six furlongs two and one-half lengths in advance of R. W. Shaws Pride, second by a scant nose over the favored Jacks Jill, from the Joseph A. Goodwin stable. Shouldering 119 pounds, Ariel Ace stepped the three-quarters over the fast track in 1:12%, and, second choice to the highly regarded Jacks Jill, rewarded his backers with a straight payoff of .80. Ariel Ace, making his eighth start of the 1947 campaign, accounted for his fifth victory in the Downs principal offering. Immediately after the running of the Desert Light, the South Louisville plant was visited by a severe wind and rain storm, which abated after a ten-minute period. The downpour left the course sloppy for the remaining three events on the final card of the spring season. Establishes Clear Lead Ariel Ace assumed command soon after starter Carl Burns sent the 11 -horse Desert Light field on its way, and the ultimate victor established a clear lead before reaching the initial quarter marker. Diamond Dick raced in nearest pursuit of the Ferguson colt to the stretch, while Jacks Jill and Shaws Pride were forwardly placed within striking distance of the flying pacemaker. Entering the stretch, Ariel Ace opened up a four-length advantage, and Diamond Dick, having had enough, faltered and dropped out of serious contention. Shaws Pride and Jacks Jill then began their bids but neither of these could menace Ariel Ace and they engaged in a sharp duel for place honors, with Shaws Pride getting that portion of the purse by a short margin. Partly cloudy weather prevailed for the final program of the Churchill Downs spring meeting and a crowd of approximately 20,000 patrons witnessed the sport. Air Current, a representative of A. T. and C. A. Pfeiffer, drove to a game half length decision in the Canter Purse, six and one-half furlongs initial offering. Splendidly handled by Don Scurlock, Air Current withstood a brisk stretch drive to retain his advantage over the fast-finishing Obelisk,
