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SlIllsSlioMppF Hfn fitt ilir ii ill ■ *T?7sL ■ s* 3K m / ft 1KB w APPRENTICE GORDON GLISSON— Piloted the two Calumet Farm winners at Churchill Downs, Wistful and Bewitch. , Calumets Bewitch and Wistful Complete Double at Churchill Former Scores in Inaugural* Handicap as Latter Qualifies Nicely for Oaks Engagement CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., April 30. — Calumet Farms Bewitch, champion filly of 1947, carried the Devil red and blue colors of owner Warren Wright to a most impressive victory in the Inaugural Handicap, sixth and featured event on the afternoons stellar program. Under the superb guidance of apprentice Gordon Glisson, the well conformed daughter of Bull Lea — Potheen, shouldered her top impost of 115 pounds in easy fashion and sped to a new track record of 1:10% for the six furlongs distance. Without extending herself during the late stages, Bewitch raced by Michael Dants front-running Southern Pride approaching the final furlong marker and coasted to the wire four and one-half lengths to the good of Mrs. Emil Denemarks Enforcer, second by a nose before the Dant color-bearer. In fourth position came Free America coupled in the wagering with the victress, followed by Robert W. Athas Syndicate, William H. Veenemans Phar Mon and James C. Ellis Miss Neal, who comprised the remainder of the small but fashionable field. Minus Place and Show Pools In registering her first success of the 1949 season, Bewitch caused the place mu-tuel pool to show a deficit of 44, whereas the show pool similarly was a minus 55. A pronounced choice in the wagering, the Calumet entry rewarded its innumerable Continued on Page Two — — — ■ , Bewitch, Wistful Triumph at Downs Former Scores in Inaugural Handicap as Latter Qualifies Nicely for Oaks Engagement Continued from Page One backers .80, .20 and .20, across the board. The start of the Inaugural was marred when Free America broke alertly but pulled himself up immediately after the field was dispatched by starter Reuben White. Bewitch was content to race within striking distance of the leaders, Southern Pride, Miss Neal and Enforcer battled for the early advantage. As the quarter was negotiated in :22%, with the Dant charge two lengths before his nearest competitor and the half mile in :45%, with no decided change in the running order, it appeared momentarily as if Southern Pride might prove the victor as he increased his margin on the far turn. Turning into the home lane however, Glis-son, who had cleverly saved ground throughout while racing next the inside rail with his charge, brought Bewitch out for the drive and the filly responded gamely by quickly sprinting past the tiring Southern Pride, who ducked to the inside at the furlong marker, when completely exhausted from setting the burning early pace. Once in command, Bewitch steadily increased her advantage and at no time during the stretch run was in peril. Enforcer supplanted Southern Pride midway the stretch and held on tenaciously to earn the runner-up honors. Free America swung wide on the upper turn but responded gamely for the drive and was steadily reaching the runner-up contenders as the finish was reached. Free America worked out an additional furlong in 1:40% in preparation for his anticipated engagement in the Clark Handicap. Attendance of 16,000 A gala gathering of some 16,000 Blue Grass turf enthusiasts turned out for the initial days sport which was conducted over a fast strip but under clouded skies and other similar rather drab overhead conditions. The well representative crowd motored to the Louisville course from Lexington, Cincinnati, Versailles, Frankfort and other less pretentious communities situated nearby and displayed traditional enthusiasm as the victorious performers on the afternoons agenda returned to the winners circle. Although the track proper was termed fast it was somewhat dulled due to light showers which prevailed overnight and through the early morning and, as a result slower running times for the specific distances were recorded. The Modesty Purse, chief supporting attraction on the sparkling program, was accounted for in most easy fashion by the Calumet Farms favored Wistful. Cleverly rated by apprentice Gordon Glisson, the victress, strapping daughter of Sun Again — Easy Lass, thus a half-sister to the brilliant Coaltown, saved ground when outrun down the backstretch, came out for the drive, and, without urging, reached the termination of the one mile event under her modest impost of 107 pounds, one and one-half lengths in advance of Woodvale Farms front-running but weary Lady Dori-mar, who easily bested the remaining nine highly -regarded Kentucky Oaks hopefuls by some eight lengths.
