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Marsch Marsch Duo Duo Puts Puts on on One-Two One-Two Act; Act; Sir Sir Sprite Sprite Victor Victor in in Michigan Michigan Mile Mile Closes With Rush To Defeat Pellicle Frere Jacques Runs Third to Woodward Racer in First of Stake Series of Turf Races FAIR GROUNDS, Detroit, Mich., May 25. — Sir Sprite, aged gelded homebred son of Ariel and Southern Beauty, carried O. F. Woodwards silks to a driving and game victory here today in the Michigan Mile, first important turf course stake at the current Fair Grounds season. Responding" to a strong ride by Harry Hart, Sir Sprite closed with a rush through the stretch and beat Hal Price Headleys favored Pellicle by a length and one-half margin. A similar distance back, Jacob Shers Frere Jacques finished third in the field of eight starters. Sir Sprite, winner of his last local engagement on the flat, shouldered 120 pounds today as did Pellicle, Frere Jacques and Master- Bid. No better than third choice in the totalisator, the Woodward star returned 4.40 after he had raced the eight furlongs over the fast grass strip in 1:38%. For his triumph in the Michigan Mile, Sir Sprite added ,805 to his owners coffers, that figure representing the victors share of the gross purse of ,540. Overtakes Pellicle in Drive Master Bid and Shivaree dominated the running in the feature for the first half-mile while Sir Sprite, Pellicle and Frere-Jacques raced well back. After leaving the backstretch, Pellicle moved into command with a rush but Hart sent Sir Sprite right along with the Headley star as Frere Jacques began his closing challenge from seventh position. Pellicle opened up a length and one-half advantage passing the furlong marker but Sir Sprite responded with a quick burst of speed when hard ridden and after catching Pellicle, won going away. Pellicle held on determinedly after losing the lead and he was not under sever pressure through the final sixteenth to withstand Frere Jacques belated bid. Seven League gave a sharp effort to garner fourth money. Despite chilly and threatening weather an active crowd of 9,412 turned out for the mid-week program. The sport was decided on a fast but dull track and several choices were successful in reaching the winners circle during the matinee. The popular green and white silks of Thomas Carr Piatt, master of Lexington, Ky.s Crestwood Farm, were successfully carried in the Southfield Purse, which matched 11 three-year-olds at 6 furlongs. Outrun during the early stages of the sprint, Tobo, a gelded son of Pictor and Coy Damsel, steadily worked his way for- Continued on Page Two 1 ! j ] j 1 , Sir Sprite Turf Course Victor in Michigan Mile Continued from Page One ward to the stretch, then disposed of Joseph A. Goodwins favored Canary Bird and won by a three lengths margin. Canary Bird, a sharp factor for the entire trip, beat out Piper, a representative of Mrs. Janon Fisher; Jr., by a length and one-quarter for the place honors. Tobo stepped the three-quarters mile in 1:12% and as a member of the mutuel field, returned his backers 9.40 straight pay-off. Waza Wana carried the Siefert, Condon and Zebelin colors to victory in the first race, which matched 10 three-year-olds at six furlongs. Well ridden by Jerry West, Waza Wana wore down John Kinards favored Fighting John during the stretch run and held a three-length advantage at the wire. Fighting John was an easy second by six lengths over Mrs. J. R. Collins Lady Joe. S. M. Newmeyers consistent Dr. Roche, under Benny Civitello, accounted for his second purse of the current meeting, turning back eight other platers in the second race. Sent to the front soon after the break, Dr. Roche shook off early bids by Cleaned and Sues Special and passed the final marker with a three and one-half lengths margin. M. H. VanBergs Charivari was second, a nose in advance of Sues Special. Robert Needhams High Boss, disqualified after finishing first in his previous start, made amends for that reverse today and drove to a game and exciting close verdict in the six furlongs third. Hard ridden through the stretch by Kenneth Church, the Needham gelding responded with a fine burst of speed wearing down Fishman and Goldblatts early pacemaker, Bee Rose, and beating the latter by a nose.. Three lengths off the lapped leaders, M. H. VanBergs Wow closed willingly enough to take the minor end of the spoils from the fog_,other- starters. - _
