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Royal Coinage in Great American Aqueduct Stake Attracts Seven f: Clearwater Stable Colt Engages Strong Rivals in Entry of Laugh, Dark Ruler By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent AQUEDUCT, L. I., N. Y., June 29. The sixty-fourth running of the Great American Stakes, a six-furlong dash for two-year-olds which last year provided the first stakes victory for C. V. Whitneys Fisherman, heads Wednesdays Aqueduct pro-, gram. This years Great American has attracted a field of seven, in which Clearwater Stables Royal Coinage and the Wheatley Stable pair of Laugh and Dark Ruler stand out far above their rivals. Laugh carries 116 pounds, having won two races, while Dark Ruler and Royal Coinage get in with 112 each. Royal Coinage came up from Monmouth Park to make his debut here a couple of weeks ago and was preceded by a reputation that caused him to be backed into favoritism over 11 other maidens. Taking the track soon after the start, the handsome son of Eight Thirty from the stakes-winning Canina romped home six lengths in the van and stepped the five and a half furlongs in a respectable 1:06 under a snug hold. While he had nothing of any apparent consequence behind him, Royal Coinage created a great impression and will again have strong support Wednesday. Jack Skelly is again coming up from New Jersey to ride A. J. Pupinos charge. Fitzsimmons Saddles Strong Entry Jim Fitzsimmons is sending but a powerful entry in Laugh and Dark Ruler, who both come from good races. Laugh is a full brother to Hilarious, who showed an especial fondness for this track by winning four races here as a juvenile in 1952, including the Tremont Stakes, and indicated his own liking for the local strip by galloping to a facile score over Edward M. OBriens Sound Barrier in 1:05 last week. Eric Guerin will ride the son of Bim-elech--Laughter. It will be recalled, however, that Hilarious developed wind trouble, inherited from his Johnstown dam, in August of his juvenile year, and Laugh is eligible to share the family failing. Dark Ruler turned in a winning race in the Tremont last out, though finishing third behind Right Down, beaten about a length for all the money. The colt was carried wide at the final, bend, but Ted Atkinsons claim of foul was not allowed. Jess Higley will ride Wednesday. The others in the Great American are Mrs. Tilyou Christophers Silver Rab and Claiborne. Farms Ambiguous, who finished up the track in the Tremont, never really coming into contention, and Joe W. Browns Fabulous Vegas. The latter won a maiden race on a "good" track last out and has trained well since. No riders have been named for Silver Rab or Ambiguous, while Dick McLaughlin will be on Fabulous Vegas and Jim Nichols will pilot Sound Barrier.
