view raw text
Uncle Edgar Races to Expectations Favorite Defeats Gaffery in Dash The Pimpernel Lowers World Mark for Four and One-Half , Furlongs Down Straightaway By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 17.— Marise Farms Uncle Edgar performed to expectations in the featured "JYAC H. L. Lindquist Handicap at Belmont Park today, closing with a rush at the end of the seven furlongs to triumph hy a length and a half over Foxcatcher Farms Gaffery. E. P. Taylors Bull Page was a weary third, a little more than a length farther back, after setting the early pace, while Ada L. Rices Danada Gift finished well to be only a head out of the money. Eric Guerin rode Uncle Edgar, a brown five-year-old by Peace Chance, who was bred in Florida and who has a well-established liking for the seven-furlong distance at Belmont Park. He paid .50 today and stepped the distance in 1:23% over a lightning fast strip. The winged foot aggregation representing the New York Athletic Club and the rest of the crowd of 20,612 were treated to a«series of exhibitions of speed from the start of the program, including a worlds record performance by the juvenile The Pimpernel. Glaimers running for ,000 ran a mile and a furlong in 1:50% in the opening dash, which was a hint of things to come. After The Pimpernel set his world mark in the fourth race, J. J. Colandos Rock Span stepped a mile in the NYAC Norton Memorial in 1:35, only a fifth of a second off the track mark held by Count Fleet. Rock Span was racing for 5,000 with 112 pounds up and his time today equaled the fastest running of the Metropolitan Mile, Jack High having set a long-standing track record under 110 pounds when he won the 1930 edition of the stake in 1:35. The four fastest runnings of the Withers Mile were those of Man o War, Snob n., Johnstown and Hill Prince, all of whom required 1:35%. Gaffery Breaks First Gaffery broke first in the feature, while Uncle Edgar was away slowly, but after a few strides Betty Lamar and Bull Page drew away from their rivals. Bull Page took a slight lead over the filly nearing the far turn, while Gaffery was four lengths away in third place, closely followed by Sky Miracle. Mr. Trouble, Uncle Edgar and Danada Gift were spaced out a couple of lengths apart in the rear. Bull Page gradually drew away from Betty Lamar between the turns, while Gaffery moved up steadily and Uncle Edgar began to come into contention along the rail. Mr. Trouble started a feeble challenge on the outside at the same time. Gaffery came between horses at the final bend and took a brief lead over Bull Page, but Guerin swung out with Uncle Edgar and surged up to challenge. The favorite put Gaffery away just inside the eighth pole and drew away to score with speed in reserve, while Gaffery, who was making her first start of the season, had no trouble isaving second money as there were no further challenges from the rear. Danada Gift, who was also making her seasonal debut, closed well and would have taken third money from Bull Page in another stride, while Mr. Trouble was a discouraged fifth. W. Goadby Loews The Pimpernel, a son of Pavot— Chalara, by Challenger n., set a worlds record for four and a half furlongs on a straight course when he won the fourth race in :49%, accomplishing his task handily. Maine Chance Farms Jet Jewel finished two and a half lengths in arrears after leading for about half the journey, while Vera S. Braggs Brer Fox was four lengths farther back. Twin Oaks Stables Roman Secret finished two lengths out of the money. Warren Mehrtens had the speedy journey on The Pimpernel, who took command just above the eighth pole and drew away with authority. Second choice in the wagering, The Pimpernel paid .20. The fractions were :22 and :44, assisted by a tail wind. The Pimpernel was bred by Abram S. Hewitt, but was acquired by his present owner for ,600 from the estate of A. C. Ernst. He had finished second, beaten a neck by Tina Lazar, in his only other start at Jamaica. Jet Jewel, who was making his debut and was the favorite, was a 2,000 yearling and looked a trifle plump in the post parade.
