view raw text
Navigate Driving Appleton Victor Wins Steeplechase Over Point Bleu McKinney Fencer Overtakes French-Bred in Final Yards Of Two-Mile Belmont Stake BELMONT, PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 19. — Rigan McKinney s Navigate finished with a rush to capture the twenty-eighth running of the Charles L. Appleton Steeplechase by a half-length from Dimitri Djordjadzes Point Bleu. Mrs. Esther duPont Weirs Galactic was two and a half lengths larther back at the end of about two miles and the same margin before Rokeby Stables Genancoke, who had set the pace to the final fence. An objection was lodged after the finish by John Magee, who rode Galactic, against the riders of both Navigate and Point Bleu. After studying the motion pictures, the result was maintained. Charles H. Williams turned in a smooth ride on Navigate, who paid 3.20. The 11 starters in the Appleton got away to a good start after less than the usual amount of "wheeling around the mulberry bush," with Navigate being the slowest to get away. Rapier went to the front at the first turn, followed by War Battle, Larky Day and Genancoke, with the latter taking command in the first run through the stretch. Genancoke was three lengths in the van as the field reached the water jump before the stands, where War Battle bobbled badly and Rapier pecked. At the next fence, War Battle and Rapier came together, doing neither of them any good. Meanwhile, Navigate and Point Bleu were far back. Larky Day Bobbles at Eighth Fence As Genancoke led the way into the back-stretch, followed by Galactic, Larky Day and Lieut. Well, Navigate and Point Bleu began to close ground, with the latter on the outside. Larky Day bobbled badly at the eighth fence, where Allier lost jockey " Bob McDonald. Point Bleu gained steadily on the outside in the long run around the turns, but was carried wide by Galactic approaching the final fence, while Navigate made his bid between horses. Genacoke came over the final fence a head before Point Bleu, with Galactic and Navigate close behind. It appeared that Genancoke, who was tiring, was caught between Galactic and Point Bleu. The French jumper took command in the stretch, but was unable to withstand the closing bid of Navigate, who wore him down in the final yards and was going away at the end. Rapier fell when thoroughly beaten at the final fence. Floating Isle, who had beaten Navigate and Point Bleu at this meeting, finished fifth, followed by Larky Day, who was the post favorite. War Battle had nothing to offer after his bad landing at the water jump, while Larky Day knocked himself out of contention at the eighth. A crowd of 21,152 turned out in hot, but breezy weather. While favorites fared none too well, there were no surprises.