view raw text
I — The Fat Lady Annexes First Running of Royal Oak Stakes Shaffer Filly Speeds Home Two Lengths Before Stole . In Detroit Filly Feature FAIR GROUNDS, Detroit, Mich., May 21.— The Fat Lady, quick daughter of Bull Lea and Bay Servant, carried Mrs. E. E. Dale Shaffers scarlet and white silks to a handy and popular victory here today in the 0,000 Royal Oak Stakes. Benefited by a well judged ride by Euclid LeBlanc, The Fat Lady sped to the finish of the one mile and one-sixteenth three-year-old filly stake, two lengths before her nearest rival, Louis Lee Hagin ns Stole. Four lengths back, Hal Price Headleys topweighted Lithe closed strongly to earn third honors from Our Request, who raced under the colors of Mrs. George C. White and E. W. Thomas. Taking up 109 pounds, which was her allotment under the allowance conditions of the Royal Oak, The Fat Lady completed her task over the good strip in 1:46%. Choice in the totalisator at 2 to 1, the Shaffer miss was accorded a nice round of applause when LeBlanc galloped her back to the winners ring. In capturing the first important filly stake of the current Fair Grounds meeting The Fat Lady earned 7,280 of the gross purse of 4,720. Nitromond went to the front immediately after starter Johnny Morrissey sent the Royal Oak field away in good alignment while Our Request and Wirra were in closest pursuit with The Fat Lady occupying fourth position and within striking distance of the leaders. Wirra displaced Nitromond soon after the break and she led the field for the initial six furlongs with Our Request offering the sternest opposition and the ultimate victress moved along steadily in third position.- Lithe Third Once settled for the stretch run, The Fat Lady assumed command as Wirra gave up the chase and Stole began her brilliant but futile attempt to catch the winner. Lithe, who suffered interference at the outset and carried 121 pounds, moved up in the meantime and she loomed up rather menacingly at the three-sixteenths pole. LeBlanc then gave The Fat Lady a clever hand ride during the last eighth mile and his charge held Stole safe while, the latter was not under strong pressure to withstand Lithes final challenge. Our Request, a prominent factor during the earlier furlongs, was a good fourth while Alsabs Day, one of the better regarded starters, could do no better than seventh in a dull effort. Partly cloudy skies with an occasional burst of sunshine was the order today in the Motor City and a crowd numbering 20,175 patrons was in attendance for the half -holiday sport. The track, which was "off" for the preceding two days, improved under a brisk breeze and it was rated good for the major portion of the program. Hal Price Headleys Yes You, a well made homebred son of Eight Thirty and Who Me, proved much the best of the seven three-year-olds that met in the six furlong Isle Royale Purse, chief supporting attraction. Forced to circle around horses entering the stretch Yes You responded to Benny Civitellos mild urging and after he disposed of P. L. Grissoms Park Pigeon, drew out to a four lengths victory. Park Continued on Page Three The Fat Lady Defeats Stole In Inaugural of Royal Oak Continued from Page One Pigeon earned the pcale honors by a length and one-half from John Kinards Monte s Pride, who also lost ground at the last bend. Waza Wana racing for Seiferti, Condon and Zebelin, drove to a neck victory in the six furlongs opener under the alert handling of Jimmie Combest. Waza Wana, a member of the mutuel field, beat out another field horse, B. H. Wises Jessica B.. Theodore D. Buhls Second Avenue, ridden by Tommy Fico, and Hal Price Head-leys favored Didapper, engaged each other in a sharp battle for major honors in the five furlongs second race with the former getting the verdict by a neck margin. Trainer A. G. Wilson, of the locally-owned Buhl Stable, saddled his second winner of the day when the aged Question- naire gelding, Sweep Swinger, came from last place at the stretch turn to beat out John A. Kinards Bolo Pat by three-quarters of a length in the six furlongs third event. Sweep Swinger finished with a fine burst of speed and, after he disposed of Bolo Pat, the latter had little difficulty in annexing second money by five lengths From Lamoureux and Peats Okamsel, third in the field of six starters.
