view raw text
Little Stick Gains Head Verdict at Randall Park Trainer Cotton, Jockey Keiper Provide Feature Winner Again RANDALL PARK, North Randall. Ohio, May 11. — Owner-trainer John "Cotton" Johnson and jockey Paul Keiper captured their second successive feature at this meeting when the pair combined their efforts to bring home Little Stick as the victor in todays sixth race. Keiper utilized his utmost skill to rate the chestnut son of Sunsun and Nogalo to the wire a head before W. E. Balls Lenas Boy, while George Fishers Fabrin was a weakening third, two and one-half lengths behind. S. J. Browns aging Yukon was unable to repeat his earlier success at this meeting and finished fourth, while St. Louisan and Ballast completed the field in that order. Johnson and Keiper were successful yesterday with their racer Mamaloi. Their representative today emulated Mamaloi in bringing pleasure to the public, as Little Stick was the public choice, paying an even 2 to 1. Time for the one mile and 70 yards over the fast racing strip was 1:44%. The racing was decidedly more formful this afternoon than the previous three days, with Little Stick being the third victorious favorite to score for the estimated gathering of 4,500. The weather was also more pleasant and, although the temperature remained below normal, the sun shone brightly and the former brisk north wind diminished to a gentle whisper. Little Stick was taken to the front of his field at the start of the race and, under expert rating by Keiper, held sway to the end. Fabrin made a determined bid for command at the half mile, but Little Stick was still in hand and had enough reserve to draw away when mildly urged rounding into the stretch. The winner drifted wide momentarily at the final sixteenth marker and, although not close enough to seriously hamper Lenas Boy, apparently caused his rider, apprentice Tommy Barrow, no little consternation. Little Stick was quickly straightened and then, under strong urging, lasted for his head verdict.