Free for Me Gains Upset Victory; Night Town Seven-Length Winner: Turns Back Espy in Churchill Dash, Daily Racing Form, 1953-05-13

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Free Free For For Me Me Gains Gains Upset Upset Victory; Victory; Night Night Town Town Seven-Length Seven-Length Winner Winner Turns Back Espy In Churchill Dash Strong Ride by Don Scurlock Aids in Triumph; Jo Pilot and Gray Challenge Are Unplaced By DON FAIR Staff Correspondent CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky„ May 12. — Free For Me, a well-conformed four-year-old brown daughter of Free For All and Judy L., carried Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Daniels colors to a surprising but well-deserved victory here this afternoon in the Valley Station Purse. Unleashing a high flight of speed during the stretch run under a strong ride from Don Scurlock, the Alabama-owned winner beat Ira Drymons fast-finishing Espy by a half length. Slightly less than two lengths away, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Collins Biddy Bid ran third with Edward D. Axtons highly-regarded Gray Challenge fourth in the field of a half dozen f illi #, and mares engaged in the sprint. Free For Me shouldered only 108 pounds under the allowance conditions of the Valley Station and she skipped the three-quarters mile over the firm footing in a sparkling 1:11%. The Daniels filly, overlooked by the majority of those present, returned her backers slightly better than 10 to 1 after scoring her initial success of the 1953 season. Jo Pilot Out in Front The Valley Station field left the stalls in a "line break" and Holton Stables Jo Pilot, co-favorite with Gray Challenge,, reached the first quarter mile marker with a slight lead over Brown Hotel Stables Ave. After a brief duel Ave forged to the front and Jo Pilot faded back as the leaders approached the stretch turn. Free For Me was a strong fourth, but in close attendance to the pacemaker at that juncture while Espy was next and Gray Challenge last and lacking room to get through next to the inner rail. During the drive to the wire, Free For Me put Ave away and, after drawing clear from Biddy Bid, who had made a bold bid at the half-mile ground, continued willingly enough to withstand Espys fine, but futile challenge. Biddy Bid was a tiring third at the finish, while Gray Challenge could not seriously threaten the leaders as Jo Pilot and Ave gave way, soundly beaten. Cloudy skies early in the day gave way to a warm sun before the initial event was called to the post and a crowd of approximately 7,000 spectators turned out for the sport, which was decided on a fast track. Bonrilla, a hard-hitting plater from the Continued on Page Forty-Six Night Town Seven-Length Victress at Sportsmans Continued from Page One gelding had enough left. Fruition, the favorite, was unplaced. The doings were delayed for over 20 minutes when jockey Willie Cox, who rode Lyles First, the second horse in the fourth event, claimed a foul against Argyroula, the winner. Cox tried to get through on the inside and was unable to make it; therefor lodged his claim. It was not allowed. Argyroula was the favorite and Lyles First, the second choice. Test Pattern, the favorite, and Texas Rain, the second choice, put up a torrid stretch battle in the fifth, but Test Pattern was going away at the end. Paul Bailey, who was on the winner, saved all possible ground with his charge. The distance was seven furlongs.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1953051301/drf1953051301_1_7
Local Identifier: drf1953051301_1_7
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800