view raw text
Marks First Tally Since Juvenile Year Charges Past Curtain Time In Drive to Be Going Away At End of Camden Feature By WILLIAM PHILLIPS GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J., May 2. — C. Mahlon Klines Slam-Bang, a four-year-old Shut Out colt whom his connections believed might win the Kentucky Derby last year before he broke a bone in his foot during his performance in the Wood Memorial, this afternoon drove to a length and a half victory in his third essay on the comeback trail. Ridden by William Balzaretti, Slam Bang profited from the swift early pace forced by his stablemate, Mrs. P. A. B. Widener, n.s Whiffenpoof, and forged past John L. McKnights Curtain Time through the final stretch to take the featured six-furlong Franklinville Purse. Curtain Time retained second placing by a half length over Mrs. William -S. Snells fast-closing Penson. Held as the favorite over eight rivals, none of whom has his Inherent _class, Slam Bang returned .60. He has shown steady improvement in each of his three races this spring, and he will undoubtedly again profit from the conditioning of todays race. Slam Bang pulled up perfectly sound after the race, but appeared a tired horse despite the rather mediocre time of 1:13 54 ■which he turned in over the good track. A gathering of 11,883 were in attendance, •with the betting brisk throughout the card. Jimmy Stout managed two saddle victories to move into the lead among the local reinsmen, while favorites accounted for the first three races, as well as the feature. The weather was slightly warmer, but very damp as a heavy haze hung over the course throughout the day. Curtain Time Takes Lead There were several members of the Franklinville field endowed with early speed, which this was generously used by the ones in question. Whiffenpoof, New Oxford, Curtain Time and Bull each strove to outdo the other in their swift tempo leaving the gate, with Fernando Fernandez hustling Curtain Time through next to the rail to settle into command passing the Initial quarter-mile marker. Slam Bang began with his field, and was immediately settled into a position within easy striking distance of the first flight. Curtain Time, who easily defeated ,500 claimers here in good time on opening day, was hard pressed in his role as the pacemaker, with Whiffenpoof refusing to drop away, although New Oxford and Bull both wearied of their useless task after leaving the backstretch. Curtain Time managed to shake free of Whiffenpoof rounding to the quarter-mile pole and responded to the strong handling of Fernandez to be clear of opposition until inside the final furlong. Balzaretti, astride the ultimate winner, elected to move his •mount forwardly on the outside midway the final curve, and was closing with obvious determination. Curtain Time lacked the stamina in the crucial stages, while Slam Bang continued his charge without abatement to be swiftly drawing clear at the end. Jockey Darrell Madden, a rider who made a sensational comeback to be the leading reinsman last season in New England, in the fourth race today rode his first winner since early last winter whehTie was thrown during a race and suffered a broken foot. Local patrons were afforded an example of his sterling riding ability, when he smoothly rated C. C. Boshamers Carolina Miss in setting the pace, and strongly urged her away when challenged to be an easy five-length winner of the six-furlong test for three-year-olds. J. H. Miles Surpass lasted for the place, with Jodu Farms Admirals Tune an evenly finishing third. Carolina Miss, who was making her first start of the year, paid 7.80.
