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Pimlico Pays Tribute To Joe Palmers Memory Feature Named for Late Racing Scribe; Eight Oppose War Token PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 21.— The Maryland Jockey Club tomorrow pays tribute to the late Joe H. Palmer, who prior to his untimely death last fall covered the Preakness and Pimlico Special as turf editor of the New York Herald-Tribune. Palmer, who gave up teaching English in college to pursue his vocation in the thoroughbred, was one of our most noted turf authorities, being well versed not only in racing but in the breeding end of the sport. The Palmer Purse is an allowance event for middle-distance performers and a well-matched field of nine thoroughbreds will compete in the race. The entrants are Duntreath Farms War Token, Mrs. C. R. Lewis Mondaval, E. A. Nicodemus Laran, R. C. Markus Avion, Mrs. H. G. Youngs Bessies Beau, Mrs. R. H. Heighes Seer, Winlochan Stables Adopt, J. V. Thompsons Monte and Felipe Baldis Irritate. Prospects are for a wide-open race, with any one of several entrants eligible to be the post-time favorite. War Token was quite impressive while winning his last start by four lengths while covering a mile and a sixteenth in 1:45% over a sloppy track. Despite the fact that he was racing against claimers on that occasion, his manner of winning was impressive. He must, however, carry 123 pounds, which represents a seven-pound increase. Bessies Beau and Irritate were third and sixth, respectively, behind War Token. The latter has nothing to recommend, but Bessies Beau is capable of reversing the order - of finish on her conqueror. She was a double winner during the Bowie meeting and is well suited by the conditions. She is favored by a 12 -pound weight shift from War Token, which should prove helpful. Mondaval and Laran finished first and second in a recent race, separated by only one length. That was the first start of the year at the distance for Laran and he seems likely to improve. Mondaval came off the race to finish four lengths behind Be Gracious in a well-run race. Avion and Adopt also raced together last time out at six furlongs, with the former emerging victorious, while Adopt was beaten but a length and a half while finishing fourth. The race was the first of the year for Adopt and the first since March 2 in Florida for Avion, so either is eligible to improve considerably. Seer was unimpressive in Florida during the winter but has raced well in all three Maryland appearances. In his last at Bowie he was third behind Conty Bay in 1:11% at six furlongs. Monte, too, raced well while sprinting at Bowie, finishing just a nose in back of Siren Song.
