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Royal Vale Sweeps Past Opposition In Stretch Run for Easy Dixie Score Marks Fourth Stakes Tally * Of Season for English-Bred; Cold Command Runs Second By PALMER HEAGERTY Staff Correspondent PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 9.— Mrs. Esther duPont Weirs Royal Vale, an English-bred five-year-old, became a four-time stakes winner this year when he accounted for the fifty-second running of the Dixie Handicap with ridiculous ease at Pimlico this afternoon. Cornelius V. Whitneys Cold Command was second over Char-fran Stables favored Crafty Admiral. Completing the class-laden field were Ogden Phipps Ancestor, Jack Kroeses Again II. and Hampton Stables Alerted. Charging from far back in the mile and a furlong affair, Royal Vale literally flew by his opposition in the final three furlongs and won by almost two lengths in 1:51% over a good racing surface. Despite his victories in the Bowie and Gallant Fox handicaps in the past two week ends, Royal Vale was not the choice and returned .60 to his backers in a crowd of 19,986. Victory in the Dixie was worth 8,800 to Mrs. Weir and sent Royal Vales seasonal gleanings Continued on Page Forty Six Royal Vale Adds Dixie To List of Successes Draws Off to Easy Victory Over Cold Command, Crafty Admiral • Continued from Page One to 09,800. In seven starts last year he was winless and earned only ,150. Following the running of the Dixie, Mrs. Weir accepted a handsome trophy emblematic of victory from Cary C. Boshamer, new president of the Maryland Jockey Club. Also taking part in the winners circle presentation were jockey Westrope and trainer Jim Ryan, who saddled Rokeby Stables County Delight for his victory in the 1951 Dixie. Crafty Admiral, who was endeavoring to atone for his defeat as favorite in the Gallant Fox, broke alertly and attained the rail position in the run to the first turn. Arcaro. however, was aware that he was unable to outrun Ancestor while conceding 15 pounds to that one, so wisely elected to rate the Charfran horse when Nick Wall sent Ancestor to the fore. Ancestor was well clear in the run along the backstretch, with Crafty Admiral holding down second position while two lengths before Alerted and Cold Command, who were heads apart. Royal Vale, at the half-mile marker, was still fifth while just a head before the Argentine -bred Again II. Cold Command was first to lodge a serious challenge, moving with a spurt on the turn. Arcaro was well aware of what was developing just behind him and he roused Crafty Admiral sharply. The Charfran col-orbearer, last years handicap champion and winner of three stakes this year, felt the signal and gave his all to stay on even terms with Cold Command as both forged by Ancestor to fight for command. Royal Vale, after looking like a steeplechase campaigner while climbing in the early stages, finally settled into stride after five furlongs and was beginning to ramble. He drew clear of Again II. and rapidly moved by Alerted to be fourth with a quarter of a mile to travel. Westrope merely kept a true course through the home lane and the rangy five-year-old "loped" by the leaders ■with ears pricked and looking for additional opposition. His margin at the wire was a length and three-quarters, but could well have been considerably more despite his 120-pound burden. Cold Command was two and one-half lengths before Crafty Admiral, who was just a neck before Ancestor. Again II. was three lengths farther back while outfinishing Alerted by a half length. Alerted, making his first start in almost two months, didnt seem his true self, for he was roguish during the post parade and had nothing when roused by jockey Rocco Sisto. It is quite possible, however, that the race will do him good for future engage -, ments. Following the race, Westrope stated that he had no confidence whatsoever as his J mount "climbed" during the early running and it was not until midway of the final j turn that he felt that Royal Vale had a I chance for the money. Dave Gorman, who rode Cold Command, felt that he was "any price" when the Whitney colt moved to the front of Crafty Admiral nearing the stretch and seemed to have that rival "measured." Nick Shuk, who has outdistancedhis fellow riders in Maryland this spring, escaped serious injury when thrown from High Ground Stables Siren Song soon after the start of the six-furlong fifth race. The filly, who was well-played in the dash, stumbled in the early strides and threw Shuk over her head. The rider was removed from the track but was uninjured according to reports from the track hospital. The race was won by S. D. Quarles Hyp Home, a 3.80 chance who was ridden by Rocco Sisto.
