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Belmont National Maiden Hurdle Goes To James McHughs Jam by Six Lengths Whipped to Wire Ahead of i Fulton; Race Loses Appeal As Steel Blue Is Scratched By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 28.— James F. McHughs Jam captured the fourth running of the Belmont National Maiden Hurdle at this track today, whipped to the wire by Earl Phelps half a dozen lengths before Sanford Stud Farms Fulton, who was "slightly favored over the"Impound gelding. It was another 15 lengths back to Archibald Cary Randolphs Tellanrun, who led Apheim Stables Daunton another 10 lengths. Jam paid .30 and was timed in 3:19% for about a mile and three-quarters over a fast track. The feature lost much of its interest when Harry LaMontagnes Steel Blue was scratched. Trainer Bill Post feared that Sundays rains had made the infield course slippery. A crowd of 22,701 turned out in mild, humid weather. Don Jose LT. went to the front at the start of the hurdle stake under double wraps, steadied after a quarter mile, then ran out of wind entering the backstretch the second time and finished last for the third time in as many starts in this coun- J " 3 » ■ 1 : 5 * 1 ; J ► . try. This French veteran, who was a leading handicap sprinter on the flat in his own country and won over hurdles there, apparently is handicapped by the infrequent hurdles here. There arent enough opportunities for a "breather" on our hurdle courses. Fulton forced Don Jose n.s early pace and took command when the invader stopped, while Jam, who had been sluggish in the early stages, moyedup to challenge in the backstretch. Tellanrun moved into third place passing the stands the first time and stayed there the rest of the way, while Daunton and Torch of Iran bobbled at a couple of hedges. Jam and Fulton raced head and head around the final turn and into the stretch, with the winner taking the final hedge a half- length in the van and drawing away under punishment on the flat, despite bearing out. The Belmont National Maiden is one of three races for young hurdlers who had not won over brush at the time entries closed on March 15. The other two editions are staged at Delaware Park and Saratoga. Jam, who earned ,375, won his first race over hurdles at the Deep Run Hunts on April 14, finished second at Warrenton and third here last week. The best of the flat races was a seven- - Continued on Page Nine Jam Triumphs at Belmont In National Maiden Hurdle Continued from Page One furlong test for sophomore fillies, titled the Roseleaf. It resulted in a stunning upset when C. V. Whitneys Fleecy Cloud turned back the closing rush of Greentree Stables Toto under a strong ride by Ray Adair to triumph by a head. Woodvale Farms Sister Louise, racing on the rail, was only a nose away at the end of the seven furlongs, while Mrs,E. Kendall Weils Gloriette also finished- well to be fourth. Fleecy Cloud paid 8.60 as she finished in the money for the first time since winning a maiden race at Saratoga last August. Marise Farms Maraud, who was claimed from John C. Clark for ,000 from his last race, profited by condition to beat George D Wideners favored Tahitian by a length in the fourth dash. A". F. Walls Lismore Prince was a half length farther back at the end of four and a half furlongs in" :52%. Dave Gorman rode Maraud, who paid .60 as a strong second choice. Tahitian, who is reported to be one of the better youngsters in the Widener barn, was under the whip at the start and raced greenly. The first winning favorite of the day scored- in the third race, when Vera S. Braggs Brer Fox- drew out in the final eighth of the four and a half furlong dash to score by two and. a half lengths over Henry S. Horkheimers Druids Lyrics. Phantom Farms Press was a weary third before J. C. Bradys Vantage, who finished well after trailing most of the brief journey. Eric Guerin rode Brer Fox, a bay son of Equifox — Juno, by Trace Call, who paid .80 and was tele timed in : 52 Ys.
