view raw text
I I j Empujon Seeking My Dandy Purse Winner in Last Outing at Sportsmans Re-Claimed by Mrs. Spradley for ,500 SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., May 7. — My Dandy, a one-eyed campaigner of yesteryear, who accounted for numerous stakes in the Middle West, will be singularly honored Monday when the feature event, a jaunt of a mile and one -sixteenth bears his name. The program leaves something to be desired so far as racing class is concerned, but the fields appear well-balanced and there is enough variety in distances to make it attractive. The card begins the last lap of the current three-week session, during which the attendance has held up well. Amazingly enough, the handle during the regular 13-day meeting of the National Jockey Club, is ahead of a corresponding period for last year. The first five days, which was run for the benefit of local newspaper charities, failed to reach expectations, mainly because of inclement weather conditions. Other Illinois courses have been watching Sportsmans Parks progress with keen interest, for annually it serves as an excellent barometer for what czt be expected at the other tracks. The My Dandy is what might be termed a "trick allowance" event, for all of the contestants are of the claiming variety who have raced for ,500 or less in 1949. Those scheduled for action are W. T. Beezleys Happy Pilot, H. W. Frys Donna L., A. Battistas All Business, E. R. Moulders Sir Bob, O. and L. Spitzers Raffle House, Mrs. O. Spradleys Empujon, Mrs. E. Oros Oswego Dr., and M. Smiths Straeth. Natural Distance Racer Empujon probably will attract considerable attention in the wagering marts for he has been a consistent performer during the current meeting and is a natural distance runner. The big son of Pantera — Extra, by Labaro, holds something of a record at the meeting in that he has changed hands via the halter route in his last three starts. W. H. Bishop brought him here from the Fair Grounds and Mrs. Spradley claimed him in his second start. When he flashed colors again. Bishop took him back, and Mrs. Spradley repeated the process in the following outing. Being housed under different sheds has in no manner affected Empujons speed, for he has not been out of the money at the meeting. His last was particularly impressive, for he closed with a powerful rush to score at a mile and one-sixteenth over Paper Clip, Ess Kay, Fourth Watch and others. Raffle House, who is certain to be well supported, is undefeated in a pair of starts this year, both at seven-eighths of a mile. The nine-year-old drove to a head triumph over Sons Style in his initial start against ,000 opposition and then moved up 00 in class to smother his foes by five lengths. In the past he has shown a definite inclination to go a distance and with the two sprints under his belt he should be primed for the exacting task that faces him Monday. Donna L., a six-year-old daughter of Jens Son — Brown TBurr, by Iron Crown, appears well placed in the My Dandy. She has started in a couple of seven -eighths dashes at the meeting and closed well in both to finish third.