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Sandtop Prevails by Neck As Churchill Meet Ends Lindberg Also Rides Nickey tf. Successfully in Co-Feature By DON FAIR Staff Correspondent CHURCHUJL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 17.— W. W. Stones Sandtop, a handsome chestnut son of Some Chance and Madame X., proved best of the nine three-year-olds meeting here today in the Armed Forces Handicap. Cleverly ridden by Herb Lindberg, who also annexed the G. I. Handicap astride Wagner Stables Nickey W., the Stone colt hit the wire at the end of the mile headliner with a neck advantage over Rusty Lyn Stables Lot-A-Brass. Just a head away, Harold G. Bock-mans favored and top-weighted Happy Go Lucky finished third while Brown Hotel Stables Old Fiddle was along for fourth. Sandtop, who was third in the Florida Derby and winner of an overnight event here last week-end, took up 117 pounds, a six pounds pull in the weights over Happy Go Lucky, and streaked the eight furlongs of the Armed Forces in 1:36%. Third choice in the speculation, the Stone colt was good for a .20 tote pay-off and he picked up ,875. for his victorious trip. Threatening weather failed to dim the enthusiasm of a crowd of over 25,000 spectators on hand for the final program of the 1952 Kentucky spring season. There were occasional light showers early in the afternoon but the track remained fast for the greater part of the half -holiday racing. The Churchill Downs management described the 19-day meeting as one of the Continued on Page Thirty-Six Scmdtop Prevails by Neck As Churchill Meet Ends , Lindberg Also Rides Nickey W. Successfully in Co-Feature Continued from Page One most successful the track has had in many years. "We are grateful for the support shown by the racing patrons of this area for our efforts. to provide the best sport possible," a spokesman for the track said. He added, "We are also aware of and deeply appreciative of the attention and patronage given the Kentucky Derby." Nickey W., aged homebred stallion, sired by Jimmy Moran and from Pineaway, carried Mrs Leo Wagners silks to a well-deserved decision in the six and one-half furlongs G. I. Handicap, twin feature on the closing-day card. Smartly ridden by Herb Lindberg, the Wagner representative drove to the wire with a length advantage over the Brown Hotel Stables hard-charging The Gink, who was a half length on Mr. and Mrs. Glenn W. Grangers Sabaean. C. H. Everitts Little Imp saved fourth in the field of nine shifty starters. Nickey W., victor in his previous Downs engagement, was overlooked by the majority and paid 1.40 in the straight tote pool. Henry Forrests Traveler, who cut out a fast early pace, gave way when challenged by Nickey W. at the stretch turn and dropped far back. The Wagner representative then held on determinedly under Lindbergs urging and had enough left to repulse The Ginks fine closing bid. A tight battle ensued for the short end of the purse, Sabaean. nipping Little Imp by a nose on the wire. Brown Hotel Stables Arizona K, under Lois C. Cook, drove to a length and a quarter decision in the six and one-half furlongs fourth race, trimming T. D. Buhls Green Saber, the early pacemaker. R. S. Byrums Big Cat ran third in the field of eight three-year-old starters. The Brown Hotel Stable colt, clocked in 1:18%, was the 9 to 5 favorite. Miss Canasta, a Jacomar-sired filly, from the Pollock and Friedberg stable, won her second straight purse at the Downs when she defeated 10 other useful performers in the Marine Corps Purse. Hard-hustled through the stretch by Otto Grohs, Miss Canasta was three lengths to the good of James Paddocks Ray Count Miss at the end of the one mile trip. Just a half length back, A. L. Birchs Grandmas Day turned in a sharp performance to garner the show, while Sunnybrook Farms Bold King was along to salvage fourth money. Miss Canasta stepped the eight furlongs in 1:37% and she was second choice to Joe Hardwicks favored Hallieboy, returning backers 39 to 10.
