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Pontius Pilate Is Victor in Chase Mighty Quest Sets Belmont Track Record; Signal Easy Winner of High Fleet Purse BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. L, N. Y., May 18;— P. Ambrose Clarks Pontius Pilate scored a popular victory in the fif ty-f ounth running of the International Steeplechase Handicap today reaching the end of the about two miles, four lengths before -Mrs. Ogden Phipps Oedipus. Jockey Elwood Carter had to devote most of his energy from just before the final fence to the odds-board to keeping the winner from bearing out on his rival. Kent Millers aging Elkridge was another seven lengths away in third place, after having to hesitate to avoid stepping on Clyde Nix, who fell from Whatta Knight at the 11th fence; Montpeliers Hampton Roads was three and a half lengths out of the money, followed at a distance by Port Raider-and Palaja. Pontius Pilate was the public choice, paying .10. The time of 3:42 was two seconds slower than the track record shared by Fairmount and London Town. The Pilate gelding, who was unbeatable at Saratoga last year, but showed a dislike for the Belmont fences, jumped cleanly all the way today in his first start since finishing third behind Trough Hill and Oedipus in last years Grand National. He earned ,250 by his exertions and trainer Francis Bellhouse accepted a cup from Frank R. Warton, of the Illinois Racing Board, pn, behalf of owner Clark. Track Faster Than Ever A throng of 17,426 turned out in unseasonably cold and windy weather. They were treated to additional demonstrations proving that Belmont Park is faster than at any time in its 46-year history. Mighty Quest set a six-furlong track record of 1:09% in the fourth race and Star-Enfin equalled what had been, until yesterday, the record for four and a haif furlongs of the straight course in the third. Star-mount Stables Signal indicated that she may have something important to say about the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks here when she surged up on the outside to win the High Fleet Purse at one mile by four and a half lengths over Llangollen Farms pacemaking Wisteria. Brookfield Farms Inanabout finished well to be third, a neck farther back and almost a length before Mrs. Esther duPont Weirs favored Merry Xmas. There was considerable rooting for "Con" at the end of this .race, Con Erricp being astride the winner/ while Conn McCreary was on Wisteria. Signal paid .40 and stepped the mile in 1:37, the leaders slowing down to a :27 final quarter, which was run against wind, after getting the first six furlongs in 1:10. Errico kept Signal well back of the early pace, which was set by Wisteria, who was followed by Merry Xmas, Inanabout and Shy Bim. Wisteria continued to lead to the stretch, where Merry Xmas began to falter and Shy Bim, who appeared to be trying to bear but, was carried wide by Inanabout. Curving for home, "Errico asked Signal to run and the Challedon filly responded at once, moving up from sixth place in less than a sixteenth and taking command above the eighth pole, to draw away with authority.
