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year-round year-round racing, racing, 1 aSISw in in the the nation nation this this I On the Trot I I By MORRIE KURLANSKY I Tiger Shines Start Interesting Doctor Cooper Goes Fastest Mile Winning Favorites Average 34.8 MAYWOOD PARK, Maywood, HI., May 18. — Since the sukly sport does not enjoy year-round year-round racing, racing, 1 two-year ;wo-year olds olds are are rarely rarely two-year ;wo-year olds olds are are rarely rarely raced before the first of June. It aroused, therefore, considerable interest when Prank Taylor, the capable trainer and driver from Washington, Ga., brought out the juvenile colt, Tiger Shine, against older and experienced competitors. Even if it were not for the fact that this was the first for a juvenile year, year, the the performance performance in in the the nation nation this this year, year, the the performance performance of Tiger Shine was remarkable because the chestnut pacer disposed of his field in an impressive manner, racing on the outside most of the way and still hanging up 2:13 for his effort. The precocious youngster, though still racing greenly, is already several seconds faster than his official record, having paced the last quarter in training moves in 31 seconds flat. What makes Tiger Shine even more interesting is the winning streak of his three-year-old full sister, Easter Flowers. This filly is also trained by Tayolr and bred by C. D. Shine of Phoenix City, Ala. Easter Flowers made her debut April 23 to win in 2:12 and in three starts since remained unbeaten and pegged her record at a very creditable 2:08. Both Tiger Shine and Easter Flowers are pointed for some major stakes on the Grand Circuit and several pari-mutuel night tracks. The free-for-all pace Friday night, awaited by Maywood Park fans as well as the backstretch colony, proved to be one horses race, but it was not Dale Wingay, regarded as the pro tern pacing champion of the meeting, that returned victoriously to the winners circle. Doctor Cooper came out of his winter training quarters fit as the proverbial fiddle and never, even for a single second, was he in danger of losing this race. On the contrary, his opponents had to do all in their power to keep up with Raleigh Pollards nine-year-old gelding. "The Doctor," who has a reputation for a lightning fast start, moreover had the favorable post position and took full advantage of it. Another factor also enhanced Doctor Coopers chances greatly is that he had Tom Pollard, the student of medicine in the sulky. On the morning of the race, we spoke to Charles, the father of the Pollard brothers, and he told us that Doctor Cooper never before had been training so nicely, and that he was in perfect condition. But Charles was by no means convinced that The Doctor could win his fir * start of the year against fast pacers that had already several races under their belts. Suffering from a severe cold, Charles hoped fervently that Tom would be able to take time out from his studies and drive the family horse. Tom did arrive in time for the race, but all the Pollards expected was to give the three-time winner, Dale Wingay, and the first Gene Hayes, as their foremost adversaries, a tussle for the ,500 purse. As it turned out, the Carmi team got rid of Gene Hayes before the race had actually started. The Dominion Grattan stallion had not yet reached the starting point when he broke stride and the dismayed spectators saw Jack Beasley pulling his mount up. A broken hopple was the cause for Gene Hayes break and that was it. The Doctor in the meanwhile, gained length advantage going around the clubhouse turn with Caramac in second place followed by Dale Wingay. True Jay and Miss Shine -A-Mite. Pacing the first quarter in 31 seconds, Doctor Cooper reached the half mile mark in 1:02% with a clear lead. Dale Wingay being second, on the outside of Caramac. Going into the back-stretch. The Doctor widened his lead a little bit more to get the three-quarters in 1:333G. Everybody waited for Dale Wingay to make his move, but "Old Man" Rumley could not gain an inch with his pacer, while the rest of the field followed at a respectful distance. Rounding the last bend, The Doctor had a two-length lead and stormed into the homestretch without the least sign of tiring or slowing up. Dale Wingay, though closing with good courage, never threatened the winner and also had to relinquish his possession of the meetings fastest time. Doctor Cooper, going the last quarter in ttl%, paced the whole in 2:04% to clinch honors for being the swiftest harness horse of the young Chicagoland season. It is a matter of conjecture if Gene Hayes would have been able to beat The Doctor, he had to defer his aspirations for another week. The man and wife team of Jim and Lucille Fleming, a favorite pair in these parts for many seasons, currently are campaigning at Hazel Park. Jim hasnt been too well, and wont be able to get behind a horse for awhile. Lucille is likely to handle the reins when Paul Doughertys Johnny Brown makes his 1953 debut at that track. The percentage of winning favorites at Maywood for the first 22 racing nights this season is 34.8, namely 69 out of 198, while the second choices won 47 out of 198 races for a percentage of 23.7. Most races were won from the "No. 2 and 3 posts so far — 37 from each, which is a percentage of 18.7. In third place is the rail position with 31 wins and a 15.7 percentage. Levi Harner, 43 -year -old Bloomsburg, Pa., teamster and the nations leading race driver last year with 129 winners, was told by his doctor to quit for a year because of a leg injury. But Harner, whose right leg was broken last November at Batavia Downs, Batavia, N. Y., said he would drive anyway. "As long as I can sit in a sulky, I nan mc» " Ua ooiH
