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John D. Tallies by Head In Thriller at Ascot Park Gives Apprentice Griffith Double And First Place in Jockey Race By RONALD KRANCER Staff Correspondent ASCOT PARK, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, May 7. — John D., owned by J. Childress, took a thrilling head decision over Mint Tulip in one of the better races here this afternoon. The victory of John D. gave apprentice Kenneth Griffith his second straight saddle score and he paid 0.60, running the seven panels in 1:3135 over a sloppy track. This triumph put young Griffith in first place in the hot race for leading rider honors. He is now one ahead of Norman Hart and Eddie Plesa. Mint Tulip was first out of the gate in this event with the ultimate winner breaking in third position, the first time by the stands John D. was between horses, still in third position, but as the field raced into the clubhouse turn Griffith saw an opening in along the rail and took advantage of it. Racing down the backstretch, Mint Tulip remained on top, but only by a half length, with John D. in hot pursuit. As they raced into the far turn as a team Mint Tulip still held sway by but a head and at the top of the stretch that one went a trifle wide. At the sixteenth pole the ultimate winner drew on even terms, but it was only in the final strides that John D. came to the fore. It was the third start of the meeting for the gelded son of Calexico, who was bred by J. B. Rigney. It was a rather cool afternoon and dark clouds were over head throughout the afternoon. A good crowd of about 3,800 braved the elements, however, to view the formful racing, which saw three favorites win, through the seventh race. Two Threes, who has been unsuccessful in three other local appearances, with jockey Barnes in the saddle, won the fifth race today, under a nice ride by Kenneth Griffith. The five-year-old gelding was overlooked in the wagering and returned 4,60. His time for the seven furlongs was 1:30%. Hook Up was second and Your Habit came in third.
