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Mel Eppley Shows Fine Form in Suffolk Score Wins Chesapeake Purse Easily In Role of Public Favorite SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 27. Torrence C. Melroses shifty colt, Mel Eppley, who failed to train to expectations in his prep for the Kentucky Derby, looked the part of one of the best three-year-olds to show in this section this season when he triumphed in the Chesapeake Purse here this afternoon. Although his margin was only a length and one-half at the finish and the time of 1:12 was slower than registered by selling platers in a previous race, the colt won very cleverly. He was allowed to race on his own courage during the early part and when making a strong bid as they rounded the stretch turn he found a stone wall of horses blocking his path. However, he waited until an opening occurred, took smart advantage, then came away impressively. A. Richers speedy Fleet West, full of run from the start, held on determinedly in the final stages to take the place from Oran Lodge Stables Valiente, while McCarthy and Gavegnanos Black Knave was a tiring fourth. Mel Eppley is a candidate for Saturdays Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, but because his training has been interrupted before shipping here from Kentucky, he is hot regarded as a prospective starter. For todays six-furlong sprint, he appeared to be in exceedingly fine condition and if he remains here for the New England season, it is believed that he will be very hard to beat. Conditions for todays offerings were ideal, with warm, sunny weather and a fast track prevailing for the crowd of 15,226. Mainly because he had won the 5,000 Mayflower Stakes as a two-year-old over this track, Mel Eppley was established favorite for the Chesapeake, with Valiente and Fleet West being the next most popular.
