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Pnut Vendor Proves Best in Midway Journeys Postward As Odds-On Choice Jockey South Gives Victor Clever Ride at Washington; Bat Girl Finishes Second WASHINGTON PARK, Homewood, 111 June 1. — The veteran jockey, George South, received the acclaim of the favorite players at this track today when he piloted the odds-on choice, Pnut Vendor, to a clever victory in the featured Midway Purse. Following a favorite drought at the meeting, whereby far less than the average "chalk" horses have been successful any sort of public choice was welcome, and the .80 pay-off on Pnut Vendor was like manna from above. South rode with extreme confidence on his charge. He placed Pnut Vendor nicely in the early stages, struck him twice in the stretch to keep him going and took him in hand in the closing strides. Bat Girl raced to second place, with Rebel Raider taking down third money. The distance was six furlongs and .the winners time a creditable 1:11. Pnut Vendor, representing Eugene Constants, Jr., went postward with a record of no wins in eight starts this year. In his last three trials, two at Churchill Downs and once here, he had been second and his last effort back of the handicap performer Prop, was very good. Bat Lady left the gate at full tilt and soon opened up a three length lead, with Pnut Vendor in second place closely aligned to Rebel Raider. At the half way mark of the contest the favorite set out in earnest and at the eighth pole had the situation well in hand. His winning margin was two and threle-quarters lengths and his success was viewed by a shirt-sleeved crowd of 8,138. It was the warmest day of the season. Witch Sir Earns Purse The nine-year-old Witch Sir, who as a four-year-old won the Stars and Stripes Handicap, raced for a claiming price of ,500 in the fifth event and came through with his first success since Gulfstream Park. The gelding was rated close to the early pace by jockey John Bev and, heading the field in the stretch, outlasted Illstay with the favored Dance Band, finishing finishing third. Dance Band was the fourth public choice to fail in the early races, the only one to reward being Hasty Sun, in the second. Hasty Sun had his troubles getting home and just managed to make it .in the closing strides after having been in close quarters early. Jockey Robert L. Baird was head man of the saddle brigade during the fore part of the afternoon, winning the opening event with P. A. B. Wideners three-year-old filly, Withdrawn, and connecting in the fourth with Roman Vulcan, a young gelding from the J. D. Weil, Inc., stable. Withdrawn, making her ninth start of the year, had never before been in the money and never closer than seven lengths to the winner at the end. Roman Vulcan was starting for the first time this year after having won a single race in 11 starts last season. Beautys Tiger, the favorite, was second to Roman Vulcan. A two-year-old race for maiden colts and geldings, known as the Burning Blaze, occupied the third niche on the program and was won by Catherine Carries roan colt, John C. C, a son of Johnstown. John C. C. had the advantage of experience over his rivals, having Harted nine times as against three essays which was the limit for any of the others. John C. C, ridden by Paul Bailey, " outran the field from the start to win by four lengths. * Cullerton, a well-played choice,, dashed to contention early but weakened in the stretch run,.
