view raw text
Ak-Sar-Ben Stages Kings Plate Today Annual Feature That Honors Ruler of Mythical Kingdom Traditional Omaha Highlight By J. R. BATTY Staff Correspondent AK-SAR-BEN, Omaha, Nebr., June 8. Royalty will be honored here Wednesday when Ak-Sar-Ben stages its annual feature, the Kings Plate Handicap. Traditionally one of the highlights of the Omaha civic organizations race meeting, the Kings Plate will honor the monarch of the mythical Kingdom of Quivera, Clarence L. Landen, reigning king of knights of. Ak-Sar-Ben. In the Royal pomp of Ak-Sar-Bens annual coronation and ball ceremonies, Landen was crowned Ak-Sar-Bens 59th king last October. He will reign until the coronation ceremonies next October. Tomorrow, he will serve as honorary steward for the running of the Kings Plate Handicap, and will present a silver plate to the winning owner following the race. The Kings Plate is an overnight handicap race. A handful of seasoned routers are entered to meet at one mile and seventy yards for a purse of ,600. Posted as the sixth of eight races scheduled oh the mid-week bill, the lineup in the feature includes Butch K., owned in partnership by Guy and Walter Shultz, Fred Wyses Andromeda, Dr. Tulip, belonging to the combined interest of Rorick and Lane, Owl Martin, owned by A. and T. B. Wilcox, and Harry Wells Calloway K. Butch K Carries 117 Butch K. is the highweight of the group under 117 pounds and this seven-year-old gelded son of Whisk K. Sister Esther most likely will gain the heaviest support in the wagering, although conceding from 10 to 17 pounds to his rivals. Co-holder of the local track standard for one and a sixteenth miles, set in 1952, Butch K. demonstrated in his last outing that he is still a tough competitor. Performing over a muddy strip here on May 31 at the same distance required in this engagement, Butch K. got up in the final strides to down Royal Ghost and the odds-on choice, Mac, was third. Butch K. trailed some five lengths off the leader during the early stages of that race and came on strongly in the final three-sixteenths mile to capture the top award. None of his rivals tomorrow were among the field he defeated. Calloway K., reportedly a moody sort, but capable of asserting himself with the best when the inclination strikes him, is weighted at 105 pounds, one less than he shouldered in a winning effort a week ago. This four-year-old gelded son of Steel Heels Silver Lady gave the impression to many observers along theb ackstretch that he was all through when dropping back steadily, but suddenly, turning for home, Calloway K. began .to make up ground rapidly and overhauled the leaders nearing the end, scoring by a half-length over Kind Reception. It was his first victory in sixj starts this year. Andromeda, with 107 pounds assigned, appears Butch K.s staunchest foe. This j four-year-old daughter of Bernborough Mirth, carrying 112 pounds, beat Royal Ghost more decisively when winning her latest outing. She reported to the wire, after going a mile and 70 yards, by two lengths before Royal Ghost, who was a disappointing favorite on the occasion. Andromeda was second in a sprint try over the local strip prior to this winning race. Dr. Tulip, who has been tendered 103 pounds, was among the .field Andromeda vanquished, finishing third by nearly five lengths to the latter. Owl Martin, toting 100 pounds, has made two appearances under silks at the current . session and finished sixth, beaten off, on both occasions.
