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On the Trot I By MORRIE KURLANSKY Jochovolo Springfield Stake Threat Woodlawn Rocket Returns Tonight DoctorCooper Makes Seasonal Bow MAYWOOD PARK. Maywood. 111.. May 14. — Herman Grahams three - year - old trotting colt Jochovolo proved again that he is one of the strangest contenders for the trotting division of the 0,000 Illinois State Fair Colt Stake at Springfield late in the summer. Unfortunately for Jochovolo the date of the Hambletonian is within a week of the Springfield stake. A start for Jochovolo in the eastern classic, for which he still is eligi ble, therefore appears doubtful. The Salem, trained colt asserted that he has a touch of class when he overcame a close-quarters "break" to win his second straight in handy fashion. Jochovolo is one of the last foals by the ill-fated sire Volation, out of Joche-bed, by The Laurel Hall. Jochebed is the dam of 11 trotters, several of whom are j very well known to the Chicago harness racing public. There is her 1942 foal, a trotter named Moses 2:03, winner of more than 0,000: her 1944 foal is Jerry A. Hanover 2:061/5, now racing in Canada and a winner of 2,966 under Harry Bur-right; in 1947 Jochebed foaled King Fitz 2:05%, credited with 6,605 to date and currently campaigning in New York. After Jochovolo, his dam produced two more foals, one by Algiers and one by Worthy Boy. On the strength of his pedigree alone, Jochovolo should go a long way. His juvenile campaign was very auspicious inasmuch as he won 11 out of 26 races, earning in excess of ,000 and acquiring a record of 2:08% at DuQuoin. Woodlawn Rocket, the good pacing gelding owned by Henry Bloome, Car-linville, 111., has been sidelined as a result of a nail in one of his hoofs. The five-year-old performer, a winner of nine races last year, his best mile being clocked in 2:07%, appears to have recovered and is slated to be a starter Friday night . Vice prexy and general manager Al DeMeo didnt let the weather keep him from occupying the No. 1 box. In fact, as a result of the icy winds that swept the westside oval Tuesday night, the genial gentleman kept warm by running down loose paper which managed to find its way onto the track. DeMeo is one of the sports most capable men, having served in many capacities in the various operational departments and, in addition, is a successful owner of harness horses currently campaigning in New York. DeMeo also is reported to be an adept amateur driver. Mel Harmening is a much sought-after "catch" driver. Saturday night he steered Court Lawful to a surprise victory in the first division of the Chicago Harness Writers Pace and Tuesday he successfully substituted for the suspended Jake Maho-ney behind Buttercup Hanover. In this race, Buttercup Hanover was dead last in a seven-horse field when they made the turn for home, but Mel got the 10-year-old mare un in time to win by a half length in a driving finish a la McCreary. This effort was all the more impressive since Buttercup Hanover made a "break" shortly after the race got underway. The 10-year-old pacing gelding, John Lee 2:04 •.-,, who belonged once to the nations elite sidewheelers, after only three starts this year broke down again. It was the same hindleg that kept him out of competition except for one lone start all of last season. Harry Burright, the Mendota. 111., teamster, celebrated his first victory of the year behind the three-year-old, Killarney Hal, at Yonkers Raceway last week. The Paul Wixom, Chicago, 111. -owned pacer broke his maiden in that race. Another Wixom-owned horse, the trotter Malcolm, well remembered at Maywood Park for some clever victories last year, won Friday nights feature race, a ,500 affair, with Harry Fitz-patrick. Springfield, 111., in the sulky, also at Yonkers Raceway. This track, incidentally, broke all records for a night track last Saturday when 32.325 fans wagered f ,671 348. A long time favorite of Chicagos harness racing fans will return to actual competition on Friday night. He is the nine-year-old gelding, Doctor Cooper, owned by Raleigh Pollard, Carmi, 111. The brown pacer had a great season in 1952, winning eight of his 21 races and pegging his record at 2:031-,, just three-fifths of a second off Good Times track mark. Doctor Cooper is one of the fastest starters and and is especially dangerous when he draws the rail position. He won most of his races from wire-to-wire and feels at home over the Maywood Park strip with its comparatively short homestretch. Doctor Coopers work in his seasonal bow. . however, will be cut out for him as he ? f . ? meets such stalwarts as the undefeated Dale Wingay, the fleet Gene Hayes, as well as the recent winners, Caramac, True Jay and Miss Shine-A-Mite. Since Tom Pollard, who drove Doctor Cooper in former campaigns, is in the midst of his final preparations to acquire his doctors degree, father Charles will guide the Doctor. Tom Hogan. of Yellow Cab fame, is bedridden at his home in Homestead, 111. The head of the railbird fraternity has raced an extensive string of trotters and pacers in the East for many years. His most notable performer is the fast class trotter. Cooperage. . . . Jimmy James, president of the Illinois Harness Horsemens Association, the counterpart of the HBPA in the sulky sport, is still under doctors care and his absence is regretted by local horsemen. Earl McMillen and Tom Mills were suspended for five and three days, respectively, for causing interference in recent races, while Clarence Curtis caught a 5 fine for a minor infraction of driving rules. Earl Roush, driver of Clever Tee, was set down for five days for causing interference in the race which saw Jochovolo make an early "break."
