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: . , Sickles Image and Pur Sang In Seasonal Debuts at Detroit Hartwick Mare Gives Kowall* Horse Seven Pounds; Suftki Among Seven Others in Race By DON FAIR Staff Correspondent DETROIT RACE COURSE, Livonia, Mich., June 25. — Clarence Hartwicks fine five-year-old mare, Sickles Image, and Springbrook Farms Pur Sang, fleet five-year-old stallion, a pair of outstanding 1952 stakes-winners, are slated to make their seasonal debuts here tomorrow afternoon in the Briarcliff Purse. Under the allowance terms of the six furlongs feature, Sickles Image, homebred daughter of Sickletoy and Ariel Image, will shoulder the high weight burden of 117 pounds while Pur Sang, the get,- of Side Boy and Contrary Mary; gets in the Friday sprint with 110 pounds. Sickles Image, undoubtedly one of the most popular thoroughbreds ever to race in the Wolverine State, worked smartly for her Briarcliff engagement and she will be ridden by her regular pilot, Billie Fisk. The Hartwick mare, victress in the Vineland, Los Cerritos and Alger Memorial last year, also was a sharp factor in the Modesty, Beverly, Correction, Regret, Bridal Flower arid Vagrancy, picking up earnings of 05,-600. Blessed with that touch of class that makes her a top performer at any distance on any type footing, Sickles Image probably will answer "Boots and Saddles" the Briarcliff favorite. Meet in Rubber Match Pur Sang, a 1951 and 1952 stakes winner, won three of 19 engagements last season, capturing the River Downs Championship and he also was a strong second to Seaward in the Lincoln Handicap. Pur Sang and Sickles Image met here last year in a pair of overnight events, the Hartwick mare beat the Springbrook star on one occasion but her arch rival turned the tables on her in their next meeting, the Briarcliff thus becoming a rubber match. Johnny Zoeller, who conditions the Reuben Kowall-owned Springbrook Farm thoroughbreds, announced this morning that jockey Jerry West will be up tomorrow on Pur Sang. While Pur Sang and Sickles Image rate quite highly in the Briarcliff, it must be remembered that neither has been under silks in some time and that they may need their races. Both will have to step right along to garner a victory for in the field named to oppose them are such speedy racers as Craig and Jesters Suffki, 110; D. H. Wells Black Bantam, 108; G. and G. Stables Round n Round, 103, and Mrs. Daisy Sukundos improving Hot Penny, 110 pounds. Also J. P. Ayers Knights Reward, 108; H. W. Shaffers homebred Sherwood Girl, 103, and Mrs. George Shwab, Jr.s Tennessee-owned homebred, Vixen Fixit, pegged at 103 pounds. Black Bantam, successful in 11 outings during 1952, a winner at Churchill Downs this spring and second on two occasions since arrival here, is dangerous at the Briarcliff weights and the quick Halcyon-sired gelding will be handled by clever Tommy Barrow. Black Bantam, partial to the Detroit track, turned in several excellent morning trials and. trainer Ray Grundy Continued on Page Fifty Sickles Image, Pur Sang In Seasonal Bows Today Hard-Hitting Mare and Male Foe Among Nine in Feature at Detroit Continued from Page One believes his charge is ready for a top effort. Suffki, an old Motor City favorite, made his first start of the 1953 season here on June 15, bowing to the Rose Leaves Stakes victress, Lilly Valenti, by a neck margin at the end of the six furlong Burlingame Purse, decided in 1:10%. Suffki certainly displayed the form that stamps him fit for the Briarcliff through his splendid effort against Lilly Valenti. In the band following Suffki and Lilly Valenti to the wire in the Burlingame were The Gink, Crownlet, Chic Wave and Abisok. Dick Lawless will pilot Suffki in the Friday headliner. Jockeys Lois Cook and Robert Lee Baird, presently in a close duel for leading rider honors at this "Michigan Mile" track, drew good Briarcliff mounts. Cook is to ride the fast Round n Round and Baird, who began todays racing with a two up lead, will be at the reins on the early speedster, Hot Penny. Darrell Madden is engaged for Knights Reward, Howard Craig rides Sherwood Girl and Eldon Nelson will be up on Vixen Pixit. Chief supporting attraction on the Friday card is the six furlongs fifth event, which will match a capacity field of seasoned sprinters, three years old and up. Among the 15 overnight entrants are such fast racers as the G. and G. Stables Almenow and James Paddocks Tomi Blu, Brown Hotel Stables Tidy Sum, Mrs. Stella Lottis Is There, Henry Forrests Foxy Adeline and Flicker Light, Ypsilanti Stables Sale Price, and T. McDermotts Hurry-Skurry. Threatening weather failed to cut attendance appreciably and a crowd of over 9,000 witnessed the sport here this afternoon. The track was fast for the earlier events on the "off day" program. Apprentice Owen Headley, of Winter Haven, Fla., handled his first winning mount, successfully piloting Early Bull for his contract employer, Clarence Hartwick, in the six-furlong opener. Young Headley gave the Hartwick three-year-old steady handling in a two and one-half lengths graduation effort. Early Bull, coupled with Jerry Lynchs Honey Jar, winner of the six-furlong second race under Rocco Sisto, was good for a 37.60 Daily Double pay-off.
