Lord Grillo Registers Havre Upset: Hangs On Gamely To Defeat Chains; Photo Shows Ring Stallion Nose on Top With Favored Faultless in Fourth Place, Daily Racing Form, 1949-05-02

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CHARLES M. FELTNER— Saddled Lord Grillo for his surprise accounting in Saturdays Havre de Grace Handicap. * Lord Grillo Registers Havre Upset Hangs On Gamely To Defeat Chains Photo Shows Ring Stallion Nose on Top With Favored Faultless in Fourth Place HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., April 30.— Gustave Rings Lord Grillo, who has more than earned his way against handicap performers, whether sprinting or traveling a distance of ground, accomplished his initial important triumph here this afternoon when he won the mile and a furlong Havre de Grace Handicap. The Argentine -bred six-year-old, responding to strenuous urging on the part of Mike Basile, held on tenaciously to take a nose decision from Brookmeade Stables Chains. The battling leaders were shipped from New York for the engagement and to provide complete domination of the invaders, Claud Tanners Nearway, also from the Metropolitan area, was third, as Calumet Farms favored Faultless could do no better than finish fourth. Ideal racing weather and a fast track prevailed for the final week-end offering here and approximately 15,000 enthusiasts turned out for the presentation. Lord Grillo, an outsider in the wagering at 6.20, turned in a creditable nine furlongs time of 1:50%, which was but four-fifths off the track record established by Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Natchez in winning last years renewal of the Havre de Grace. Lord Grillos victory was worth 1,925 to the Washington contractor. Faultless, Chains Hold Early Lead Faultless and Chains held the lead in the early running, with neither Bobby Martin, astride the Calumet horse, nor Job Dean Jessop, rider of Chains, anxious to assume pace-setting duties. While the two were racing with bowed heads, Mike Basile sent Lord Grillo charging from the outside to wrest command approaching the half-mile grounds. Nearway, at that stage, was right with the leaders, with but a length separating him from the top one The battle continued around the turn but Chains was eased from his rail position and taken outside for the final test. Faultless was able to save ground entering the home lane, which appeared a distinct advantage, even though he was a length and a half off the lead at the furlong pole. The drive to pay dirt was a spirited one, with the final decision developing into a two-horse affair. Basile, always a credit to his profession, did a masterful job of keeping Lord Grillo going, and his efforts bore fruit, as the foreign-bred maintained his narrow advantage and increased his 49 earnings to 4,850. Jessops tactics of easing back after being displaced on the turn caused numerous debates. His move seemed destined to prove a wise one, but Chains hung on the money, despite the extreme efforts of the Brookmeade contract rider. Nearway made a game effort of it to the furlong pole, but seemed to tire slightly nearing the end. Faultless, too, weakened slightly in the final test, while Pilaster, a noted stretch runner, could not make up ground when set down for the drive and, in the late stages, weakened badly.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1940s/drf1949050201/drf1949050201_3_1
Local Identifier: drf1949050201_3_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800