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Coaching Coaching Club Club Oaks Oaks to to Harmonica; Harmonica; Gotham Gotham Registers Registers Upset Upset at at Hawthorne Hawthorne Watts Miss Repels Repeated Challenges of Cosmic Missile Neck Separates Leaders att End as But Why Not Finishes Fourth Back of Snow Goose BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 20. It was Max Hirsch, Jr.s, turn today, when he sent out John T. Watts Harmonica to win the thirty-first running of the Coaching Club American Oaks from Circle M Ranchs Cosmic Missile by a neck. Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Snow Goose was a surprising third, two lengths back of the runner-up and a head before King Ranchs odds-on choice, But Why Not, who was saddled by Max Hirsch, Sr. Last week But Why Not outfinished Harmonica in the Acorn Stakes, but the Texas belle was no match for her rival today. Harmonica was ridden by Johnny Adams and paid a lucrative 2.90 after running the mile and three furlongs in 2:18Vs over the muddy track. A crowd of 23,593 turned out in sultry weather to see the largest field of the past 20 runnings of the 0,000 stake, which was doubled in value this year at the suggestion of racing secretary John B. Campbell. John J. Watts is the senior member of the engineering firm of Mason and Hanger, excavators of the East River tunnel and many other projects. Harmonica is his first stake winner. While there were mild surprises in the first two races, won by Storm King and Penetrator, well played horses took the next three events, Soldier Song, Mighty Master and Copacabana scoring. Alrenie Destroyed After Mishap There was a casualty in the Oaks when A. C. Ernsts Alrenie bolted and knocked over the temporary fence at the junction of the chute and the main track. The filly then turned and kicked an iron post, breaking her right hind leg and throwing Basil James. The jockey escaped with a skinned elbow, but Alrenie was humanely destroyed. Harmonica added 8,200 to previous earnings of 9,555 and was scoring her fifth victory in nine starts this year. This was her first stake triumph, but it is hardly likely to be the last for the daughter of Snark Port Hole, by Man o War. Adams hustled Harmonica to the front a few strides after the start of the Oaks, followed by Oberod, Quarantaine, Antigone, Now and Again, But Why Not, Picardy Belle, Mother, Cosmic Missile, Pie Lady, Camargo, Snow Goose and Catana. Al-renies fall came early in the race, just as the pattern of the first phase was being drawn. m Harmonica continued to lead down the far side with Oberod forcing the pace before But Why Not, who moved up between horses as Antigone dropped back, along with Quarantaine. Now and Again was close at hand while Snow Goose was still far back. Rounding the far turn, Cosmic Missile moved up to challenge Harmonica and drew within a neck of the Snark filly, which was as close as she was destined to get. But Why Not was some three lengths away and running strongly with Now and Again daylight away in fourth place and Snow Goose closing ground rapidly on the extreme outside. Harmonica and Cosmic Missile entered the stretch as a team, with the latter saving ground along the rail, but unable to get to the front as Harmonica dug in gamely, standing a hard drive with unsuspected courage. But Why Not apparently refused to extend herself in the final drive and was nipped for third honors by Snow Goose in the final strides. JOCKEY J. ADAMS Guided Harmonica to her impressive score in the Coaching Club American Oaks.
