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Assault Demonstrates Prowess In Winning Suburban H andicap Whips Pacemaking Natchez By Two Under Smooth Ride By Arcaro; Stymie Fourth BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. L, N. Y., May 30. King Ranchs -Assault once more proved himself champion of Americas thoroughbreds when he picked up top weight of 130 pounds and drove to a two-length victory in the sixty-first running of the Suburban Handicap. Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Natchez was a tiring second after setting the pace, while Richard N. Ryans Talon came from last place to be third, seven lengths back of the runner-up and a length before Mrs. Ethel D. Jacobs Stymie, who turned in a disappointing effort, never being a serious threat. Assault, who was "Horse of the Year" in 1946, was winning his third rich handicap in as many starts this year and gleaned 0,100 for Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Kleberg, bringing the Bold Venture colts earnings to 38,570. This leaves Assault still in third place on the worlds money-winning roster, which is headed by Whirlaway, with 61,161, but puts him only ,865 behind Stymie, who is in second place. E. Arcaro rode Assault smoothly and with excellent judgment. Timed in 2:01 A solid favorite with the enthusiastic crowd, Assault paid .20, .10 and .30. The sum of 75,151 passed through the machines on the race. The time of 2:01, while-not the fastest in Suburban history, was nothing short of remarkable in view of Assaults heavy burden, and none of those who have bettered his time carried Continued on Page Three JOCKEY EDDIE ARCARO Guided Assault to victory in the Suburban Handicap. He will be astride Khyber Pass in todays Belmont Stakes. Assault Demonstrates Prowess In Winning Suburban Handicap Whips Pacemaking Natchez By Two Under Smooth Ride By Arcaro; Stymie Fourtl Continued from Page One as much. The fractions were: :24 :47, 1:11. l:3645 and 1:49. Bright clear weather and one of the most brilliant Suburban fields in years attracted a crowd of 59,745, just 866 less than turned out last year and by far the biggest throng of the season thus far. Ted Atkinson dominated the early part of the program, winning the first three flat races with Storm King, Humaya and Gestapo, none of whom were favored in the wagering. Gestapo and Humaya completed a double for Greentree Stable and trainer Johnny Gaver, though there may have been some element of luck in Gestapos victory, as jockey Warren Mehrtens, who was riding the favored Johnny Dimick, was blinded by a clod of dirt soon after the start, then finished third. Makes First Serious Move The Suburban field broke far up the Widener straightaway, with Rico Monte first to show in front before Bright Sword, Natchez, Assault, Stymie, Vertigo II. and Talon, but Atkinson quickly rushed Natchez up along the rail to take command before crossing on the main track. As the field started down the far side, Natchez led Bright Sword and Rico Monte by a little less than a length as that pair was racing hears apart, a half dozen lengths before Assault, while Stymie was several lengths farther back. The pace picked up sharply in the second quarter, and Natchez began to draw away, while Assault was still running in fourth place with his ears lying flat against his head. Nearing the far turn, Natchez was in the clear by three lengths, a margin that he soon doubled, while Rico Monte and Bright Sword were still racing as a team some seven lengths before Assault, and Stymie was moving sluggishly in fifth place. Arcaro made his first serious move with Assault rounding the far turn and quickly moved past Bright Sword and Rico Monte, who were tiring from their private struggle behind the pacemaker. Natchez still led by a half dozen lengths nearing the stretch turn, while Assault was more than a length before the tiring Rico Monte, while Stymie was up on the outside and was only another length back. Assault was under punishment but re- sponded willingly and cut Natchez margin with every stride in the stretch, catching the pacemaker just above the eighth pole and drawing away under a strong hand ride. Natchez held on surprisingly well, while Talon, who had only one horse behind him at the head of the stretch, slipped through on the inside and finished well to take third honors from Stymie. The latter appeared to lack his usual zest and hung badly after making a mild bid nearing the long run home. Rico Monte finished only a length back of the Jacobs horse and a half length before Vertigo II., while Bright Sword stopped entirely to finish last. Before the Suburban field came on the track and again after the horses moved up to the start, hundreds of fans in the stands and on the clubhouse lawn, turned away from the track to stare at Bing Crosby, who was the guest of Maurice "Dancer" Hyams. The Klebergs had trouble pushing their way through the crowd to reach the winners circle, and were almost too late to join trainer Max Hirsch at the presentation of the silver cup that goes to the Suburban winner.
