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Virginia Gold Cup Taken By Gelding Uncle Pierre Beats Drift Wood and Farmers Joy in Four-Mile Brush Event By CHRIS WOOD, JR. Staff Correspondent WARRENTON, Va., May 9.— A number of owners nearly tasted victory in Saturdays 30th running of the Virginia Gold Cup, but when the gruelling four miles over 26 timber fences had been completed, it was Cyrus Manierres Uncle Pierre who was in front. Closing stoutly, but unable to threaten the winner, Mrs. Amory S. Car-harts Drift Wood gained the place position, 12 lengths in front of George S. Bran-nons Farmers Joy. Running over lush but hard turf, the winner was timed in 8:41% seconds for the first running over the surveyed route. Handled by B. H. "Laddie" Murray, a University of Pennsylvania law student who rode Lands Corner to win the recent Maryland Hunt Cup, the winner cinched his victory when W. L. Rochester, Jr.s Conjure Ghost fell over the final fence. The latter mare was making what appeared to be a successful bid until she misjudged the last jump, sending her rider, M. Clatterbuck, to the local hospital with a couple of cracked ribs. After clearing the final obstacle 10 lengths in front of Drift Wood, Uncle Pierre was tiring, but had enough left to score by three lengths, Charles M. Canns Gallant Ship, the only other starter in the field of 13 to complete the course, finished fourth. The first casualty came over the first fence when S. L. Pfefferkorns Feather Stone came down with amateur rider Stokes Lott of Glyndon, Md. The next spill was over the 17th when Democles, owned by George W. Offett n., came down witto trainer-rider Grover Stephens. The locally- owned chaser was favored to win the coveted trophy and at the time of his mishap he was leading by 20 lengths with his rider making every effort to restrain him. With the favorite out of the picture, Mrs. Jaun M. Ceballos, another local owner, was tasting "cup victory" as D. M. "Mike" Smithwick moved her Gliding Slide to the fore. This thrill lasted until the 21st fence when Gliding Slide hit hard sending the rider, who has ridden five winners in the Maryland Hunt Cup, skimming over the grass. D. W. Pattersons Tamer, with amateur rider William Cunningham up, and Dr. J. M. Rogers Star Salome with his owner aboard, came to grief over the 23d fence. Although they did not come a cropper, Mrs. Russell M. Arundels Journey and Samuel R. Frys Magical were removed from competition when they broke down during the running. "Mike" Smithwick and Stokes Lott were : removed to the hospital, but were released ; after being treated for superficial injuries. The Broadview, featured brush race named for William E. Schlusemeyers estate where the races are held, fell to Thomas H. McKoy, Jr.s Butn Ben. Ridden by Melvin Ferral, the winner covered the two miles over brush in 4:153/5, defeating Mrs. M. G. Walshs Repose by three and a half lengths. The latter won the recent running of the Block House Steeplechase at Tryon, N. C, and the famous Carolina Cup over timber at Camden, S. C, in April. Mrs. George L. Ohrstroms Irish Well gained the show money. Enjoying perfect weather, some 15,000 spectators gathered on the hillside of "Broadview" to witness the six-race program which closed the spring agenda of steeplechase racing in the Old Dominion.
