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Inaugural Inaugural at at ArlingtonToday; ArlingtonToday; Counterpoint Counterpoint Belmont Belmont Victor Victor Beats Battlefield By Four Lengths * Whitney Colt Ably Ridden By Daye Gorman; Count Turf Falters After Holding Lead By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 16. — C. V. Whitneys Counterpoint took temporary possession of the three-year-old throne when he charged to a four-length victory over George D. Wideners favored Battlefield in the 83rd running of the Belmont Stakes today. Cain Hoy Stables Battle Morn was another length and a half away at the end of the mile and a half, and nine lengths before Sam E. Wilson, Jr.s, Royal Mustang. Dave Gorman, rode a smooth race on Counterpoint. Jack Amiels Count Turf, the Kentucky Derby winner and a close second choice to Battlefield today, flattened out badly after taking the lead for a few strides near the far turn, and finished seventh, followed only by Nullify as Mameluke, stablemate of the winner, was eased up and failed to finish. Counterpoint paid 2.30 as third choice in the wagering and stepped the distance in 2:29, jtworfifths slower than Middle-ground, required last year, and four-fifths slower than Citation in 1948 and Count Fleet in 1943, but faster than any other Belmont winner since War Admiral won the Belmont in 2:28% in 1937. The son of Count Fleet— Jabot, by Sickle, was duplicating his triumph over Battlefield in last Saturdays Peter Pan Handicap at a mile and a furlong; in .which he set a track record while receiving nine pounds from the Widener colt. They all carried 126 today. Whitney in Winners Circle Owner Whitney was in the winners circle to receive the August Belmont Memorial Cup from Lt. Gen. Willis D. Crittenberger, Commander of the 1st Army. Whitney also received 2,000 as the winners share of the stake, which brought Counterpoints earnings to 21,625, all but 00 of which was gleaned this year. A large proportion of the throng of 41,253 that turned out in perfect racing weather collected in the paddock before the Belmont, with fans packing 10 deep around that magic circle. The stake lost some of its lustre when Herman Delmans filly, How, was scratched. Trainer Horatio Luro explained that she had refused to eat her dinner last night, and, though she was apparently herself again when brought out Continued on Page Three = ■ i SYLVESTER E. VEITCH— Saddled his second Belmont Stakes winner when Counterpoint triumphed Saturday, hay- ing conditioned Phalanx for his winning performance in the 1947 renewal of the one mile and a half fixture. ; Counterpoint Gains Honors in Belmont Whitrrey Colt Four Lengths To Good of Battlefield While Count Turf Finishes Seventh Continued from Page One to gallop .this morning, he feared risking her in such a stake under the circumstances. All of those who went postward were on their best behavior in the paddock, not even the continued attentions of photographers disturbing them in the least. The early pace in this Belmont was comparatively slow, with Sonic leading for a half in :49% and three-quarters in 1:14%. Count Turf then took command and got the mile in 1:39, while Counterpoint stepped the mile and a quarter in 2:03 y5 as the pace quickened sharply. The winner got the final quarter in :25%, but was not extended to the utmost. Bill Boland sent Sonic to the front as the field left the gate directly in front of the stands at the start of the Belmont, while Battle Morn hesitated for a stride or so. Going into the clubhouse turn, Sonic and Counterpoint were heads apart," closelx followed by Nullify, who was only a length before a compact group composed of Count Turf, Royal Mustang and Battle Morn. Battlefield was in close quarters for a stride or so at this corner, appearing to almost go up on the heels of Steadfast, while Mameluke was unable to keep up. Sonic continued to lead most of the way down the backstretch, but Count Turf slipped through on the rail to take command near the far turn, leading Counterpoint by a half length as Sonic dropped out of it. Steadfast and Battlefield also moved through horses, followed by Battle Morn, who was on the outside. Takes Lead Half Mile From Home Counterpoint took the lead with a half mile to go, as Count Turf began to run out of wind and Battlefield moved into second place, followed by Battle Morn. Battlefield got within a couple of lengths of Counterpoint curving into the stretch and followed that colt out as he took the stretch turn a little wide. As Gorman. continued to hand ride Counterpoint down the middle of the track, adding to his lead with every stride, Arcaro swung Battlefield to the inside, hitting him once, then hand urging him the rest of the way. Battle Morn, who had tried to match Battlefields move, finished gamely, but was never a serious threat. Counterpoints victory was the sixth in the Belmont for the light blue colors and brown cap since they were carried by Harry Payne Whitneys Tanya in the Belmont of 1905 and the second for their present owner, who won with Phalanx in 1947. After the race/ Gorman said, "I had plenty of colt under me and never had any doubts. I called on him right after we straightened away for home and he responded readily." Eddie Arcaro said that Battlefield had no excuse, adding, "He has an inclination to bear in, so I let him go down to the rail. He was no match for the winner today." Atkinson merely said that "the other two were just too much for us today." Ovie Scurlock, who rode Royal Mustang, said, "he was hard to rate, but I had to obey the riding instructions." Owner Wilson is noted for the roadmaps he provides his jockeys. Conn McCreary was the most disappointed of the beaten riders, but had no excuse for Count Turf, beyond saying, "he tired badly." Ray Adair said that he had to pull up Mameluke on the turn because he was sore. The colts presence in the starting field was somewhat surprising as Whitney had said on Thursday that the colt had three splits on each front leg and was a very doubtful starter.
