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Robust, Porters Broom Set Downs Track Marks Former Speeds Five-Eighths in :58% in First Start of Career CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 8. — Robust, a handsome chestnut son of Fighting Step and Rodia, carried Mrs. Harry Trotseks silks to a convincing graduation victory here today when he defeated seven other two-year-olds in the Broomstick Purse, establishing a new five-furlong track record of :58%. Robust, ridden by Kenny Church and making the first start of his career, certainly qualified nicely for his forthcoming engagement in the Bash-ford Manor Stakes as he led Warner L. Jones, Jr.s Chow Line to the wire by a length and one-half margin while Thomas F. Devereux Gay Hunter wound up third, slightly less than three lengths farther back. Yankee Notion set the former mark of :59 in 1912 and that time was later equaled by Ruddy Light and Royal Pam. Robust; however, left no cause for doubt as he clipped two-fifths of a second off the old standard. The Trotsek colt, bred by O. Frank Woodward, hustled to the front soon after the start and then skipped the initial quarter mile in :22% and the half in :45%. Robust was the favorite in the straight tote pool, returning backers .20. Jockey Church, who handled Robust, had another fast ride when he drove Raymond Ankenbauers Porters Broom home first in Continued on Page Three Robust, Porters Broom Set Downs Track Marks Former Speeds Five-Eighths in :58% in First Start of Career Continued from Page One the six-furlongs Bull Lea Purse, which was run in 1:10%, hanging up another track record. Porters Broom sped to the wire a length and a half over Lottie Wolf stables Disconsolate and Hasty House Farms Seaward who was coupled with the victory, finished third in the seven horse starting band. Harry Trotsek, who put the tack on Robust also saddled Porters Broom. The Ankenbauer star wintered in Kentucky and hadnt been to the races since last-June. Porters Broom took one-fifth second, off Bewitchs mark and the Trotsek-trained entry was the choice in the wagering at seven to five. The Broomstick was marred when Brown Hotel Stables Left Bank stumbled leaving the stall gate and tossed jockey Steve Brooks, who escaped injury. The Nebraska reinsman came right back in the next race and successfully piloted E. R. Morris Cap Rock. Robust, who was off no better than fifth, quickly sprinted into command after the Broomstick break and the dash was virtually a three-horse race from then on. Chow Line was in nearest pursuit of the Trotsek flyer with Gay Hunter a close and well-placed third during the run to the stretch. The riderless Left Bank caused War Gift and Hal Jay considerable interference on the final turn and both the latter youngsters lost all chance for any part of the purse. Robust blazed into the home-lane with a clear advantage but Chow Line held on willingly as Gay Hunter continued willingly in third position. Chow Line drifted to the inside when jockey Louis Cook set him down in the drive and the Jones gelding came over on Gay Hunter, whose rider, Angel Rivera, was forced to take up rather sharply. Robust held a good lead as he swept by the final marker and Chow Line easily earned place honors after he blocked Gay Hunter. Bullrocket, who races for Mrs. J. E. Hankins and Louise Poolos, was fourth in the Broomstick, five lengths off Gay Hunter and seven lengths on Mrs. Reid Luginbuels Harvest Point. Cook stated after the race that it was impossible to keep Chow Line on a straight course after his saddle slipped nearing the furlong pole.
