Queen Hopeful Triumphant; Sabette Annexes Alabama: Grecian Queen is Neck Loser at Spa, Daily Racing Form, 1953-08-27

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Queen Queen Hopeful Hopeful Triumphant; Triumphant; Sabette Sabette Annexes Annexes Alabama Alabama Grecian Queen Is Neck Loser at Spa Whitaker Miss Is Unable To Give Her Rival Twelve Pounds at Mile and Quarter By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent SARATOGA, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Aug. 26. Belair Studs Sabette profited by a 12-pound concession in weight and a masterly ride by Jess Higley to beat Mrs. Ben F. Whitakers Grecian Queen by a j neck in the seventy-third running of the Alabama Stakes today, turning the tables on the distaff champion who had trounced her in four earlier encounters. Grecian Queen fought on gallantly when challenged in the stretch, but her 126 pounds proved ; a bit too much for her smallish frame to carry a mile and a quarter, while Sabette, who won the Diana Handicap last out here, was in with 114. It was nine lengths back to Greentree Stables Cherry Fizz, who saved third money by a neck over C. V. Whitneys Ming Yellow, who trailed to the top of the home lane, where she went wide. Howell E. Jacksons Ballerina completed the small field. Belair Filly Favorite The crowd of 14,122 installed Sabette as the favorite over Grecian Queen. The daughter of Alsab, from Segula, by Johnstown, paid .20 and required 2:06 for the journey over the deep, safe, but officially fasttrack. Sabettes Alabama was the seventh triumph in the ancient stake for trainer Jim Fitzsimmons. His son, John, accepted the trophy in the winners circle from F. Skiddy Von Stade, president of the Saratoga Association. William Woodward, former chairman of The Jockey Club and owner and breeder of Sabette, will later receive a check for 8,800, which brings her total earnings to 9,280, with six victories in 25 starts. She had finished in the money in nine others, including the Coaching Club American Oaks, in which she was beaten a nose by Grecian Queen at level weights. Ming Yellow was first out of the gate in the Alabama, but quickly dropped far behind the field, while Cherry Fizz led past the stands and around the clubhouse turn into the backstretch. Grecian Queen was a couple of lengths away and going easily, followed by Sabette, Ballerina and Ming Yellow, who were strung out. The early pace was comparatively slow, with the first six furlongs being run in 1:14. It was at Continued on Page Forty-Six I Sabette Takes Measure Of Grecian Queen at Spa Twelve-Pound Weight Pull Enables Belair Filly to Gain Neck Score Continued from Page One that point that Nick Shuk let out a notch on Grecian Queen, and the daughter of Heliopolis quickly shot intocommand, while Sabette was still a couple of lengths behind Cherry Fizz. Nearing the three-furlong pole; Higley asked Sabette to run, and the Alsab filly swiftly moved into second place, giving the impression that she could go to Grecian Queen whenever she was asked. -Cherry Fizz hung on gamely, though obviously beaten, while Ming Yellow began to approach the field under the whip. Grecian Queen was still a couple of lengths in the van as they came to the furlong pole, but Sabette seemed about to run over her. That didnt happen, however, as Grecian Queen gave every bit of class and power that she had in a vain effort to repel the challenge and stayed with the favorite to the last few yards. Higley rode a very cool finish on Sabette, hand-riding to the last two strides, then giving Sabette two decisive cuts with his stick. After the race Nick Shuk said, "The weight took its toll in the last 70 yards." That was evident from the stands. Mrs. Louis Lazares Sotto Voce, a daughter of Some Chance Elocution, by Jacopo, won the Mission Belle Purse by three lengths over C. T. Chenerys Guyana, who worked her way between horses to take second money by a head from Alfred G. Vahderbilts When in Rome. Woodvale Farms favored Your Stockings was only a neck farther back, after engaging in a pace duel with Amzy, Make A Play and the winner. Henry Moreno rode Sotto Voce, who had won her first start at Hialeah, but suffered seven defeats since then.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1953082701/drf1953082701_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1953082701_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800