Armed and Shy Guy Compete In Clark Handicap at Downs: To Have Free America and Star Reward as Respective Running Mates in Fixture, Daily Racing Form, 1949-05-05

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i .. ■ ;. i BEN A. JONES— Announced Ponder would be Calumet Farms sole reliance in Saturdays Derby. He will saddle the stables Armed and Free America in todays Clark Handicap. Armed and Shy Guy Compete In Clark Handicap at Downs y To Have Free America and Star Reward as Respective Running Mates in Fixture CHURCHILL DOWNS. Louisville, Ky., May 4. — Dixianas Shy Guy and Calumet Farms Armed, two of the more formidable handicap performers in this sector are expected to clash in tomorrows seventy-fifth running of the traditional Clark Handicap. The long and eagerly awaited duel between the four-year-old son of Challe-don and Tootsiecake and the eight-year-old gelded progeny of Bull Lea — Armful promises to make this seasons renewal of the 0,000 added one mile and one -sixteenth event one of the most colorful in its history. In addition to the Dixiana colorbearer, who has been assigned the top impost of 123 pounds, and the mighty Calumet gelding, who will be asked to shoulder the second heaviest burden of 120, the remainder of the field also includes such outstanding middle distance stars as Shy Guys stable-mate, Star Reward, 119; Calumets Free America, who will be coupled in the wagering with Armed, 115; Helen S. Reinemans Dinner Hour, 107; Mrs. John S. Letelliers Jack S. L.. 102, and Mrs. H. J. Damms Reighs Comet, 100. Race Is as Old as Derby The Clark, which is as old as the famous Kentucky Derby, had its inaugural presentation in 1875. Since its first presentation the historic stake has been captured by 13 victorious Derby winners, but the fourteenth cannot be added this year due to the fact that none of its entrants were fortunate enough to account for the "Run for the Roses." Calumet Farms Whirlaway. victor in the 1941 Derby, was the latest to return to competition and account for the Clark. However, previous to Whirlaway, the event which is fashioned for three-year-olds and older, was won by such immortal members of the thoroughbred world as Exterminator, Old Rosebud and Hindoo. Shy Guy made three trips postward during the winter season in Florida and, although unable to earn a set of brackets, enhanced his prestige considerably by finishing second to Calumets sensational Coaltown in this years renewal of the Widener. Following his return to the Blue Grass, Shy Guy accounted for his only outing at the Keeneland course when he proved victorious in the Ben Ali Handicap in which he defeated, among others, Hal Price Headleys Pellicle and Free America. Armeds debut at the local track was auspicious as he romped to an easy triumph in last Mondays edition of the Joe Cotton Purse. In this race. Armed :ome to the middle of the track for the stretch drive and, after taking command midway the final furlong drew clear to a three and one-half lengths victory in advance of Leo J. Caillouettes Best Prospect and Nate L. Raffelmans Pomps Gal. After completing the assigned six furlongs in 1:13%, he galloped out an additional furlong in handy fashion in 1:25%. Apprentice Gordon Glis-son has been named to pilot both of the Calumet performers and will in all probability select Armed should both of the entrants parade postward. Star Reward, winner of the 1948 Clark as a four-year-old, will be seeking his first victory of the current year, and little is Continued on Page Two Armed and Shy Guy Compete In Clark Handicap at Downs Continued from Page One known of his present capabilities other than from his recent workouts which have been impressive and his lone start in the Ben Ali in which he finished fourth. Free America, who was thought to be the equal or superior to his more illustrious stablemates, Citation and Coaltown, during his juvenile tenure, finished third to the arrear of Shy Guy and Pellicle in his last engagement at Keeneland in the Ben Ali and then came back to place fourth behind his stablemate, Bewitch, Mrs. Emil Dene-marks Enforcer and Michael J. Dants Southern Pride in the Inaugural Handicap in which Bewitch set a new track record of 1:1025 for the six furlongs distance. In the Inaugural, however, Free America pulled himself up at the break, was outrun badly during the early part as a result, but closed resolutely in the middle of the track and was bested by less than five lengths. Following his usual good effort the Calumet charge worked out to the mile in 1:40%.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1940s/drf1949050501/drf1949050501_1_4
Local Identifier: drf1949050501_1_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800