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Chains Drives to Victory in Dixie OutfinishesContest By Length and Half Brookmeade Homebred Aided By Fast Early Pace of His Srablemare; Pilaster Third PIMLICO. Baltimore, Md., May 7.— Deriving the benefits of a sizzling early pace established by his running mate, Brookmeade Stables Chains this afternoon turned in a commendable performance to annex major honors in the rich Dixie Handicap, feature of the week-end program at this historic course. Chains, a four-year-old gelded son of Firethorn, was smartly handled by Job j Dean Jessop, while turning in the mile and three-sixteenths time of 1:56%, which is just one-fifth of a second slower than the track standard set by Riverland in winning the 1943 running of the same event. Chains held a .length and a half margin at the finish, with King Ranchs Contest outfinishing Harry Straus co-highweight, Pilaster, for the place award. The winning entry paid .60 as the favored Faultless, from the Calumet menage, could do no better than sixth in the nine-horse field. 16,000 Fans in Attendance The program commenced in sweltering heat, but conditions improved greatly following intermittent showers. The moisture failed to alter the condition of the racing strip and the program was conducted over a fast surface. Approximately 16,000 fans were in attendance and cheered lustily as Mrs. Dodge Sloane, owner of the Brookmeade Stable, accepted the trophy from Harry A. Parr III., president of the host organization. Aside from the Duncannon Bowl, Mrs. Sloane also received a check for 1,150 from Chains triumph. Dart By, who was coupled with Chains, was in the race for the sole purpose of killing off the early speed horses, and he handled his chores flawlessly, aided and abetted by the hustling tactics of Herb Lindberg. Dart By reeled off the quarter in :22%, the half mile in :454/5 and the six furlongs in l:lf%. That blistering pace proved too much for Dart By, but it also took the heart out of those rivals with any intention of getting within striking distance of him. Shivaree, who had raced in the runner-up position, shortened stride at the same time, and both he and Dart By faded badly. Chains had been under steadying restraint along the backstretch, as Contest, Faultless and Nearway made futile efforts to move by him. Attaining the rail position for his rally, Chains rallied like a streak of lightning to forge to the front midway of the turn and attain a clear lead rapidly. Chains Moves to Fore While Chains was moving to the fore, such rivals as Contest and Pilaster also commenced their moves. Pilaster, who, like Faultless, had 120 pounds as his assignment, seemed destined to make a merry battle of it. but, as in recent efforts, he hung "on the money and, after getting his head to the fore of Contest, even dropped place money by a nose. * Chains, who already is credited with the mile and a furlong track record of 1:50% at this course, was in front after a 1:36% mile and. had he been placed to extreme pressure, may have equaled the record for todays distance. The disappointment in the race was Faultless, who was a beaten favorite for the second time in the past two Saturdays. In the recent Havre de Grace Handicap, won by Lord Grillo, his defeat was credited to the slow early pace, which found him on the front end intermittently. The same cant be said today, however, for he was rated off the pace, but just was not there when Johnny Gilbert roused him.
