Royal Governor Wins on Soft Turf: Grover B. Tumbles in Belmont Feature, Daily Racing Form, 1954-05-11

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Royal Governor Wins on Soft Turf Groyer B. Tumbles In Belmont Feature Favored Kaster Runs Second To Thouron Ten-Year-Old; Armageddon Wins Mizzen By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 10. Despite torrential rains which would have caused the turf course races at most tracks to be transferred to the main strip, the featured Cherry Hill Handicap was held on the grass today. There was one casualty, T. P. Morgans Grover B. apparently broke his right front leg and was taken away in the horse ambulance. Morgan at one time refused 00,000 for the Blue Swords gelding. Mrs. J. R. H. Thourons Royal Governor won the Cherry Hill to the mild surprise of the majority in the crowd of 20,476, charging to the end of the seven furlongs a length and a half before C. Mahlon Klines favored Kaster, who broke sluggishly in a poor start. Spring Hill Farms Jamie K., who almost fell over Grover B., finished fairly well on the on the outside to be another four lengths away in fourth place and a length and a half before Mrs. Jan Burkes Swoop. The 10-year-old Royal Governor paid 2.50 and Jack Westrope, who was completing a double, urged him over the soggy footing in 1:31. The track record, set by Kaster on May 1, is 1:24. After the race, Atkinson said that Grover Bv evidently stepped in a soft spot in the track. The veteran rider was observed care- fully examining the turf at the scene of the spill after regaining his feet. He seemed particularly interested in two spots on the ground, dropping to his knee for closer study. Atkinson said that Grover B. didnt step in a hole, but made one when he hit the soft spot. Steps on Soft Spot in Track Swoop and Mackville vied for the early lead in the Cherry Hill, but Kaster moved up briskly along the rail nearing the far turn and moved past Mackville into second place. Royal Governor and Jamie K. were behind Grover B., followed by Ming Yellow and Impulsive When Grover B. Went down, Royal Governor began to move up strongly along the inside, while Swoop and Mackville began to tire abruptly, leaving Kaster momentarily in the lead. Royal Governor saved enough ground to take command entering the stretch and gradually drew away from Kaster in the run to the wire. Jamie K., who raced very wide at the end, closed steadily to take third money from Swoop in the final furlong, without menacing the leaders. Returning to the scene of his triumphs in the Champaigne and Withers in other other years, Cain Hoy Stables Armageddon scored a convincing victory in the Mizzen Purse, co-feature of the program. With Henry Moreno scuffling industriously most of the way, the Alsab five-year-old reached the end of the mile and a sixteenth a length and a half before Shawmut Stables outsider, Put Out, who led Saxon Stables Market Level another two lengths. It was another 10 lengths back to J. W. Nizleks Lafourche, while Abe Levinsons Press, whose bandages doubtless became thoroughly soaked, was a weary fifth, followed by Bottle of Ink. Favored in the wagering, Armageddon paid .60 and carried his 116 pounds over the distance in 1:44. The one-eyed horse, who was scoring his first victory of the year, gets in Saturdays Metropolitan Mile I with 107 pounds.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1954051101/drf1954051101_5_1
Local Identifier: drf1954051101_5_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800