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* " — -— p „ - ; r--r- JOCKEY ERIC GUERIN — Gave Native Dancer a sparkling ride to win the Belmont Stakes, marking his initial success in the historic event. Native Native Dancer Dancer Wins Wins Belmont; Belmont; Miss Miss America America to to Jay Jay Jay Jay Gee Gee Holds Jamie K. Safe to Tally By Neck After Thrilling Duel | Vanderbilt Gray Confirms 4 ; Right to Divisional Title; Earnings Soar to 22,745 By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent ., BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., s June 13.— Alfred G. Vanderbilts Native - Dancer confirmed his right to the three -" year -old championship today, holding Spring Hill Farms Jamie K. safe through a a bitter stretch struggle to reach the end • of the Belmont Stakes a short neck in the I van. Ten lengths farther back at the end of the classic mile and one-half came Eugene Constantin, Jr.s Royal Bay Gem, r who led Bruce S. Campbells Ram o War. • Louis Primas The Preem finished fifth, • followed by King Ranchs Kamehameha, [ on whom the saddle slipped. ; An overwhelming choice with the crowd of 38,335 that turned out in cold, rainy weather, Native Dancer paid .90. The gray son of Polynesian— Geisha, by Discov-I ery, ran the mile and a half in 2:28% k over a fast track. Though unable to draw [, clear from Jamie K. after taking command . at the f urlong pole, and blowing a bit after the race, Native Dancer didnt appear fully extended. Derby His Only Loss This 85th Belmont was worth 2,500 to Vanderbilt and brought Native Dancers [ earnings to 22,745, gleaned by 14 victories , in 15 starts. His only defeat was that by Dark Star, who beat the big gray colt " inches in the Kentucky Derby. It was Vanderbilts , first victory in the Belmont Stakes and also the first for trainer Bill Winfrey and jockey Eric Guerin, who rode a perfect • ] race. It appeared that Native Dancer tried to j loaf a bit as though considering his task completed when he headed Jamie K. at the 1 eighth pole, but he responded willingly to ; Guerins urging in the final furlong. Though Jamie K. gained a matter of inches in the last few strides, it appeared that Native Dancer might have been able to withstand an even stronger challenge. Native Dancer broke alertly as the field Continued on Page Forty-Six ; 1 Native Dancer Captures Belmont Over Jamie K. Holds Rival Safe in Stretch Run to Prevail by Short Neck Continued from Page One left the gate directly in front of the stands and was in the lead for a stride or so passing the clubhouse. But Dave Gorman hustled Ram o War into a daylight lead, followed by Kamehameha rounding the first turn, while Eddie Arcaro moved into third place with Jamie K., who was moved over to the rail. Native Dancer, who took the first turn slightly wide, was in fourth place, followed by Royal Bay Gem and The Preem, who couldnt keep up. Ram o War continued to lead for almost a mile, while Kamehameha dropped out of contention nearing the far turn and Jamie K. moved closer on the leader, closely followed by Native Dancer. The pace had been slow to this point, the six furlongs requiring 1 : 15 and the mile was run in 1 : 39% . Arcaro started sending Jamie K. rounding the far turn and quickly took command, with Native Dancer moving right with him, while Ram o War dropped back and Royal Bay Gem began to close ground, but without ever seriously threatening. Jamie K. continued to lead into the stretch and held on gamely as Native Dancer surged to him, with both Guerin and Arcaro going to the whip. The favorite took command at the eighth pole and seemed about to draw away to a decisive triumph, but then seemed to loaf slightly and Jamie K., who fought on with remarkable stubbornness, inched back toward his gray rival. In the final yards, Native Dancer held his rival safe. In their previous encounter in the Preak-ness, Jamie K. had come from behind Native Dancer and succumbed by a long neck. Today, Native Dancer came from behind the light bay son of Crowfoot and won by a short neck. After the race, Guerin said of Native Dancer, "He was the big horse today. It was. never in doubt with me. I hit him three or four times just to keep him at work. When he got to the front he started to loaf, as usual, but when he saw Jamie K. coming again, he dug right in." Arcaro said that Jamie K. "just wasnt good enough to beat the winner, even though he ran a swell race." Jimmy Corn-best, who rode Royal Bay Gem, had no comment. Of The Preem, Augustine Catalano said, "He ran a real big race — for him, that is." There was a minus place pool of 34.68 on the race.
