view raw text
On fne Trot 1 By MORRBE KURLANSKY I Daisy Astra Wins Fans Admiration Steve Tell Demonstrates Versatility Eleven Go in Hoof Beats Tonight MAYWOOD PARK, Maywood, 111., May 31. Daisy Astra, trotting marvel owned by William Hieatt, Frankfort, Ky., coming off a splendid victory over Clever Tee, Steve 1CU itUU JLtljriUl xuugc in the meetings record time of 2:05, won both heats of the co-featured Greyhound Stakes Friday in a manner that won her the admiration of the 3,542 fans that braved the elements to attend what was the best race program offered this season at this popular wcoiiaiuc uvm. xvauiuug with the best trotters on a fast track, Daisy Astra proved in the Greyhound that she has no peer in the kind of going that prevailed Friday. An hour before post time, heavy rains came down in the Maywood area and rendered the carefully-groomed half-miler into a sloppy mess. It didnt bother the web-footed daughter of Peter Astra in the. least, for she won both heats with great .superiority, and her time of 2:10 in the first dash on a track that was at least five seconds off was simply astonishing. While Hugh K. Funderburgs Taylor Ridge was unable to extend himself on the rain-soaked surface, Sieve Tell, winner of the 0,000 Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes as a two-year-old, but somewhat of a disappointment as a three-year-old last year, again indicated that he is to be considered in the fast-class trotting races, and having to submit to such an outstanding "mudder" as Daisy Astra, in no way disgraced the Hinsdale-owned four-year-old. There was another trotter besides Daisy Astra -that simply relished Fridays wet going. That was the Canadian-owned Eddie Mac Jr., who annexed a CC-class trot with ridiculous ease to plainly outclass his seven opponents. However, this eight-year-old trotter raced all winter in Canada, where off -track conditions are the rule rather than the exception and Eddie Mac Jr.s liking for the slop should not come as a complete surprise. Incidentally, Eddie Mac Jr. made his 30th start of the year Friday for his second victory while he has been second eight times, and third on three occasions. In 1953, he started 71 times for 13 victories, 18 seconds and 13 thirds for seasonal earnings of over ?7,000. Mainliner, Hambletonian victor in 1951, finished third in Eddie Mac Jr.s race and still is winless in 48 starts since August 17, K1952 when he won a classified trot at Roosevelt Raceway. Without consulting the record books, there is no parallel in harness racing history to Mainliners decline and fall. Comparatievly, Mainliners start in a CC trot is about the same as starting a winner of the Kentucky Derby in a ,500 claiming race within three years of such success. It was a shame that the fast-class pacers that came out for the two heats of the Charles Coburn Stake had lo cope with such bad track conditions for otherwise Good Times track record of 2:036 would have been in danger. The world champion pacing iilly, Countess Vivian, making her first start of the year, had . drawn the rail position for the first heat, which under normal conditions would have been quite an advantage for a side-wheeler possessed of such speed as this daughter of Kings Counsel, but it was different on Friday, when every driver stayed away from the inner rail as much as possible. Countess Vivian was on a break before the starting point was -reached and by the time the filly settled down, the field was 25 lengths away. To make up such a loss of ground would have been an impossible task even on a lightning fast track and, while it was amazing that Countess Vivian did get up to sixth position after a furious pursuit of half a mile, it was clear that she would never be able to come close to the leading Dale Wingay and Dominion Boy. With the Countess disposed of in this unfortunate way, Dale Wingay, who had sVinwn a lilciner fnr slnnnv erniner in nrevious seasons, romped to easy victories in both heats to give his owner-driver, C. F. Rum-ley, another double at this meeting. Easter Flowers, after having made a break in the first heat, raced creditably in the second dash to finish second behind the Princeton pacer and Gay Order garnered third place in both heats with his usual game and honest effort . . . Athlone Ruler, at 14 the oldest horse on the grounds, felt perfectly at home over the wet strip to garner his first victory of the season and that triumph will be his last one in a long, distinguished racing career, during which he acquired a record of 2:01 and earned well over 0,000. Eleven trotters have been entered for Tuesdays Hoof Beats Stakes, a ,009 double-header and nine of the starters have won at least one race here while Evening Song- was victorious at Hazel Park. The ultra-consistent Clever Tee will meet a staunch foe in Francis Mc,, who drew the pole position, while the Ohio trotter has to tart from the second tier in ninth position. Taylor Ridge, who contested in four heats last week, is again in the line-up and is favorably placed in fourth position. Horsemen virtually swamped the entry box with nominations for tfie Hoof Beats and, for safety reasons, not more than 11 entries were accepted for this early-closing event. A consolation trot at one mile for a ,200 purse, was carded for the remaining seven eliffibles.
