view raw text
Marine Band Victorious In Narragansett Sprint Veteran Racer Sets Fast Pace; Place Honors Go to Gay Spark NARRAGANSETT PARK, Pawtucket, R. I., June 9. — My Harriet Stables Marine Band, a strapping son of War Relic — Song, came out of temporary retirement today and bested seven rivals in the Natucket Purse that served as the feature at Narragansett Park. Three lengths back of the winner, W. F. Mannaghs Gay Spark had little trouble saving the place by two lengths over Ray Metcalf s Gracie Son. The winners time for the six furlongs was 1:11% over the fast racing strip. Marine Band was a lukewarm favorite with the majority of the crowd of 8,508 who turned out to witness the sport conducted under ideal weather conditions for the second straight day. Ridden confidently by jockey Jack Robertson, Marine Band paid .80 for his initial victory of the 1949 campaign. The My Harriet colt was the fourth choice of the afternoon to score following Boyish Love, Gay Franka and Hell Bent, winners of the first three races of the day. Robertson broke the War Relic colt in front as Eddie Blind sent the field away from the barrier. Gay Spark, First Sentry, and Gracie Son followed close on the heels of the leader as the first quarter mile was run in :22% seconds. This burst of speed was too much for Marine Bands opponents and the lead was increased to two lengths by the time the quarter pole was reached. Kept along the inside rounding the final bend, Marine Band added three more lengths to his lead and Robertson took a hold of his charge to allow him to gallop past the finish line with plenty to spare. Gay Sparks tired entering the stretch and started to drife slightly to the middle of the track but was far enough in front of the others that he had no trouble saving the runner-up spot. J. E. Hughes Vital Sun ridden by the veteran "Red" Pollard scored a front-running victory in the six furlong fifth race that was named the Editors and Publishers Purse in honor of a group of newspaper men who were guests. The three-year-old Equistone colt gave his backers a thrill as Pollard roused him nearing the sixteenth pole. The colt lunged away from, the whip and nearly slid along the inner rail for a short distance but the experienced Pollard immediately put away the whip and hand rode the remaining distance to stave off a late bid from the favored Bimover. Vital Sun, held as second choice in the wagering returned a .20 mutuel after being timed in 1:12% for his second straight victory.
