Tom Fool in Easy and Popular Joe H. Palmer Handicap Score: Greentrees Handsome Racer Coasts Past Belmont Finish Before Tea-Maker in Sprint, Daily Racing Form, 1953-05-20

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f 4 Tom Fool in Easy and Popular Joe H. Palmer Handicap Score Greentrees Handsome Racerf Coasts Past Belmont Finish Before Tea-Maker in Sprint By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I.. N. Y., May 19. — Green tree Stables Tom Fool picked up his 130 pounds as though they were so many ounces in the Joe H. Palmer Handicap today and breezed to the easiest kind of triumph. Ted Atklinson had the handsome son of Menow — Gaga under a snug hold as he coasted through the stretch a length and a half before F. Ambrose Clarks Tea-Maker. Harborvale Stables Dark Peter was another length and a half away and not quite a length before Mrs. Alfred Roberts Eatontown. Tom Fool was strongly supported by the crowd of 21,307 despite his heavy burden and paid .40 after skipping the six furlongs in 1:11% over a fast, but decidedly dead, track. After the race, Nelson Dunstan, president of the New York Turf Writers Association, flanked by vice-president Mike Lee and Red Smith, columnist of the New York Herald-Tribune, presented the associations trophy to trainer John Gaver, who received it on behalf of Mrs. Charles Ship-man Payson and John Hay Whitney, owners of Tom Fool. Victory Particularly Appropriate The victory of the Greentree silks in the 5,000 event honoring the late turf editor of the Herald -Tribune was particularly appropriate as Joe Hill Palmer had lived in Greentree cottage, Belmont Park, when he first ca.Yie to New York some 10 years ago as secntary of the American Trainers Association. It was also appropriate that Contl jed on Page Forty-One Tom Fool Takes Initial Joe H. Palmer Handicap Greentree Ace Sprints to Easy, Popular Accounting at Belmont Continued from Page One the race honoring a man who contributed considerable "class" to the profession of turf reporting should have been won by the four-year-old who now appears to be the class of the handicap division. Nullify was first out of the gate in the Palmer Handicap, but dropped back to last place in the field of seven in a few strides, while Reprimand shot to the front, followed by Tom Fool, while Tea-Maker and Eatontown, racing on the rail, were close at hand in the run around the far turn. Reprimand continued to lead, with Sidney Cole scrubbing industriously, while Ted Atkinson had Tom Fool under restraint as he obviously dominated the situation. Curving for home, Tom Fool swept into command, while Reprimand began to falter badly. Eatontown saved enough ground at the stretch turn to bring him into second place as they straightened away for the long run home while Tea-Maker was lapped on him and Dark Peter was just beginning to run in fifth place. Tom Fool opened a daylight lead as soon as Atkinson let him run and the veteran stole a quick look over his shoulder coming to the eighth pole. Seeing nothing coming from the rear, Atkinson took hold of Tom Fool in the final strides and the big, bay colt finished with his neck arched. The venerable Tea-Maker showed considerable improvement over his earlier races this year and finished willingly, while Dark Peter closed fairly well as Eatontown tired badly in the stretch. Reprimand finished fifth, followed by Pacific Ocean and Nullify, who were never in contention. Tom Fool is slated to carry a similar 130 pounds in the Metropolitan Mile on Saturday and looms almost as firm a favorite though he will have to meet somewhat better horses in Royal Vale and Intent. The Palmer Handicap was his second start and second victory this year and added 0,050 to his earnings. Lester Manor Stables Open Show, who scored a surprise victory in his recent debut, continued his winning ways in the Anecdote Purse, outgaming Ogden Phipps favored Bassanio by almost a length at the end of a sluggish mile in 1:39%. Mrs. Ethel D. Jacobs Arista finished a couple of lengths farther back, racing on the rail, while fourth money went to Cain Hoy Stables Top Bet. The black gelding by Amphitheatre was ridden by Eddie Arcaro and paid 2.60. Mrs. G. H. Bostwicks Hyvania galloped to a popular victory in the Yemasee Hurdle Purse, drawing away at the end of about a mile and three-quarters to score by eight lengths over Lawrence Troianos Williamsburg, who led Daniel Saints Byng by another two and a half lengths. The latter took the lead at the far turn, coming over and shutting off Roman Way as he did so, then faltered in the final quarter. Ramon Harris rode Hyvania, who was always close to the pace. The son of Hypnotist II. from the brilliant Vagrancy paid .30 and was timed a respectable 3:18.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1953052001/drf1953052001_1_4
Local Identifier: drf1953052001_1_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800