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. , 1 Crowd of 15,000 Out to See MRA Tracks Opening Card Noble Idea in Front-Running Tally Over Freedom Train, in Mile and Sixteenth Offering DETROIT, Mich., May 23. King thoroughbred returned to the Motor City today at the Michigan Racing Associations Detroit race coutse, an opening day crowd of over 15,000 patrons turning out for the inaugural of the 1952 Wolverine State season. The gathering braved decidedly unpleasant weather to witness the sport, heavy rains during Thursday night and this morning left the local strip in muddy condition and horses with ability to negotiate the off-going dominated the nine-race card. Noble Idea, a member of Al Wellmans stable, earned a popular victory in the mile and one-sixteenth fourth event, which was one of the better offerings on the bill. Jockey William McKinley Cook, a Detroit regular, completed a saddle double on the locally-owned winner, landing Noble Idea a six-length winner. Second honors went to another Detroit-owned starter, Adelard Lamoureux Freedom Train, who was three-quarters of a length before E. Wards fast-finishing Fulgura at the final marker. Mrs. Norman B. Hernandez Hals Chick was a faltering fourth in the field of nine contesting the middle-distance test. First Success of 1952 Noble Idea, a four-year-old gelded son of Ocean Wave and Transflint, won four races during his 1951 campaign, but visited the winners ring for the first time this year. He was the 16 to 5 choice and completed his trip over the muddy track in 1:51. The feature attraction was the Inaugural Purse, at six furlongs, and such good racers as Clarence Hartwicks Sickles Image, Mrs. G. C. Whites Dixie Flyer and Starboard Stables Bated Breath were in the field of a half dozen entrants. The Jerry McCarthy Stable, a Detroit-owned unit, sent out the winner in. the six-furlong opener, Mattie Girl driving to a length and three-quarters decision under jockey Johnny Harris. Mattie Girl came off the early pace and drew clear from Mrs. Dolores Sukundos Brownstown during the strutch run, while the latter was three-quarters of a length on H. K. Kellers Liberty A. for place honors. E. B. McAtees Kibby F. saved fourth money and T. D. Buhls favored Sweep Bolt wound tip fifth, after flashing early speed. Mattie Girl, who was making her 1952 debut, returned slightly better than 8 to 1, after splashing through the mud in 1:15. E.. K. Tmomas Triple Flight, ridden by William McKinley Cook, was best of the dozen two-year-olds meeting in the four and one-half furlongs second. Triple Flight reached the final marked with a two-length advantage over the early pacemaker, Sobare Stables Hera Lot, and Mrs. Howard Underwoods Task Fleet was a steady-going third. Sunnybrook Sue, choice for the dash, was unable to handle the muddy going and ran sixth. Triple Flight was well backed in the straight paal at 33 to" 10 and, coupled with Mattie Girl in the Daily Double, returned 17.40. E. K. THOMAS Triple Flight scored in his colors in the second, race on yesterdays Detroit program.
