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Elkridge Suffers Broken Nose in Chase Running Accident May Bring Fencers Brilliant Career to Close BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I.. N. Y., May 21.— Kent Millers-Elkridge, the richest steeplechaser of all time and the most popular of the past 20 years, may have come to the end of the road. The 13-year-old son of Mate — Best by Test suffered an absurd, but possibly tragic, accident Friday during the running of the International Steeplechase in which he finished third behind Pontius Pilate and Oedipus, jumping faultlessly. It was learned several hours after the race that Elkridge had suffered a broken nose. Jockey Pat Smithwick believes that the injury was caused by a piece of wood attached to one of the fences, which had been dislodged by a horse who preceded Elkridge over the obstacle and which snapped back, striking his nose with great force. The valliant old chaser didnt flinch, at least not enough for it to be noticed from the stand, though he hesitated after the 11th fence, apparently to avoid stepping on jocky Clyde Nix, who had fallen from Whatta Knight. The extent of the injury had not been fully determined, but, in view of Elk-ridges advanced age, it is unquestionably serious and may mean the end of his career. Oddly enough, Elkridge suffered ••the only other injury in his long career of 114 races in his last start of 1950, when he wrenched an ankle at the first fence in the Broad Hollow Steeplechase on September 22, and managed to finish second to Oedipus despite the mishap. In his career of 114 races, Elkridge won 31, was 17 times second and 13 times third, amassing a record total for a steeplechaser of 25,805. "Pop" as he is known to the Miller family, was bred in Virginia by J. P. Flanagan and began his racing career for the late Thomas Hitchcock. Miller acquired him early in his career and he has won almost every major steeplechase stake in the United States for that Kentuckiaii, who now makes his home at Camden, S. C.
