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Lotus Eater Gains Neck Verdict Over Cross Ring Ryan Puts Up Strong Ride Astride Hamar Ace in ThistleDown Event ! By RONALD KRANCER. Staff Correspondent THISTLEDOWN, Warrensville, Ohio, June 5. A turnout of about 10,000 attended the races here at ThistleDown on the first Saturday of the current 42-day meeting. The weather was chilly and threatening clouds were overhead throughout the morning hours in the Cleveland area which probably cut the crowd down somewhat. The track was muddy for the sport. The Discovery Handicap at five and one-half furlongs was the featured attraction and M. R. "Buddy" Hamars Lotup Eater, given an excellent ride by Fred Ryan, scored a thrilling neck decision over Olin Sledges favored Cross Ring. The fast closing Shamrock was third another head back. Lotus Eater, a good looking gelded son of Devil Diver Rare Bloom, was the high-weight in the Discovery, carrying 120 pounds and was winning for the third time this season. The winner was timed in 1:09 and returned his backers .40 as the third choice in the eight-horse field. Continued on Page Forty-Eight Lotus Eater Gains . Discovery Verdict Overtakes Cross Ring in Final Eighth to Gain Neck Decision at ThistleDown Continued from Page One His owner is from Cleveland and is one of the largest stock holders in ThistleDown. As usual starter Eric Blind dispatched his field without delay and in perfect alignment. As soon as the horses settled somewhat it was Skin Junior that showed in front with Marshal at Arms second and Yea Bama third. Mahplay was fourth and Clock-Click, fifth. The winner broke in sixth position. Cross Ring was last. Midway along the run up the back-stretch Yea Bama forged to the front and was showing the way by a length with Marshal at Arms still second and Cross Ring now looming the most dangerous in third spot. Lotus Eater was now sixth a little over three lengths off the pace. Yea Bama continued to lead on the far turn, but Cross Rings had moved to a head of the pacesetter. Lotus Eater, while on the outside, was now third another length back with Skin Junior fourth and Mahplay fifth. Shamrock was beginning to move along rapidly from the outside. The favorite passed the tiring Yea Bama on the stretch turn and at the furlong station was in front by a length and one-half with the eventual winner now second and Yea Bama third. Skin Junior was fourth and Shamrock was negotiating his move from the outside. Lotus Eater, being strongly ridden by Ryan, set sail after Cross Ring in the final i furlong and it was not until the final jump 1 to the wire that the Hamar colorbearer got to the front. Cross Ring was successful however in holding sway over the onrush-ing Shamrock. Harrys Reward Easy Victor M. J. Rosenthals Harrys Reward, ridden by Charles McKee, scored an easy eight-length rally over H. McGowans Dictionary in the fourth race. Paul Youkilis Elaine Ruth was third another length back at the end of the five and one-half furlongs. Harrys Reward paid .80 and was timed in 1:09 over the muddy strip. He was winning for .the third time this year in six starts. The Brookridge Stables Arthur Charles gave Eddie Plesa his second winning race of the afternoon when the gelded son of Sun Again got to the wire four lengths in front of Maxs Reward in the third race. Another Moon was a fast-closing third another length and toe-half back. Arthur Charles paid .80 and ran the sprint in 1:04, flat. The Daily Double paid 1.20 as the" heavily favored Sea Weather got home on top in the second race after Vince McCarthys Claridge was successful in the days opener. Sea Weather was ridden by Plesa arid paid .00 being timed in 1:19 for the six furlongs. Zybie was, second four and one-half lengths back with Broken Strip getting third money. Claridge was nicely handled by apprentice Walter Blum in the first and as a team they arrived at the wire three and one-half lengths before Houcks Mill, who was the favorite, with Pat OBrien up J Claridge paid 2.00.
