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mmmmj Detroit By Don Fair ; 1 Seventh Michigan Mile to Be Run July 9 New Single Race Handle Record Set in 54 Fearless Freddie Cooper, Lady Luck at Odds DETROIT RACE COURSE, Livonia, Mich., May 3i. — The Michigan Mile, with a purse of 0,000 added, is the richest race in the history of the Wolverine States thoroughbred sport. The seventh running of the classic is set for decision this year on Saturday, July 9. When the purse for the "big one" was raised in 1933, it resulted in new records for single race and single day wagering. Last year a new mark for a race pool was set when 04,749 went through the totalisator on the eight-furlong fixture. The allowance stake will close for nominations Uons June June 15, lg 1955, 1Q5 andnd and racing racing mmmmj Uons June June 15, lg 1955, 1Q5 andnd and racing racing secretary Charles J. McLennan is of the opinion that the Detroit Race Course headliner is to have one of its best renewals this season. Bernard W. Landys Spur On conquered Harvey C. Fruehauf s Precious Stone, Alfred Gywnne Vanderbilts Social Outcast, and several other topnotchers last year. Prior renewals of the Detroit feature fell to Sir Sprite, Fancy Flyer, Kings Hope, Bully Boy and Theodore D. Buhls Detroit-owned stalling, Second Avenue. Disregard Buhl Runners Recent Start The Buhl stable stakes winner raced disappointingly here last week after turning in a clever victory over a good field of sprinters on the final day of the Churchill Downs spring meeting. Trainer A. G. "Lex" Wilson of the Buhl forces believes that his charge may have needed his local engagement and that Second Avenue may have disliked the fast, but slightly dull, track prevailing for the Flint Purse. At any rate Wilson has hopes that the Buhl star may come around to top form for the Michingan Mile renewal. Marion H. VanBerg, colorful Nebraska horseman, will rely on Vantage and Knights Reward in the local stake.v Knights Reward, a six-year-old. Reaping Reward-sired gelding, raced impressively at Chicago April 30, defeating a quick field in the seven-furlong Spring Handicap. Knights Reward worked five-eighths of a mile here Monday morning in 1:01%, handily, indicating that he is at peak form. There is a dread silence in the press box at the Detroit Race Course these days. Fearless Freddie Cooper, press box custodian and, although not the highest but the gamest horse player since Pittsburgh Phil and Lonny Tryon, has again been given the heave-ho by Lady Luck. And when Fearless Freddie loses_a bout with the fickle jade he can be more silent than the sphinx. Freddie and the fickle fat girl had their latest ruckus at Louisville. When it was oyer Freddie still had his shirt, but not much else. The demon horse player wintered well, at Hot Springs and New Orleans and when he headed for Derby town he thought that he was in solid with Lady Luck. But after drawing her frowns for a couple of days he found himself worrying about shipping money to Detroit. He had just 0 left in his jeans, and the fare to Detroit was a bit more than that figure. He gave Lady Luck one more chance to show her regard for him. In one race he wagered on to plater named Anivram, trained by little Raymond White. He shot the works, betting 0 across the board, and looked hopeful when Anivram. went away at 35 to 1. Accepts Results Without Great Emotion Freddie can take his victories as well as his defeats without a great show of emotion. He merely smiled with satisfaction when Anivram hit the wire first. He was about to look for a wheelbarrow and start for the pay-off window when it was announced Anivram had been disqualified and placed last. Freddie had just enough voice left to brace clocker Benny for Detroit • shipping money. Then he went into deep mourning. It isnt the first time that Fearless Freddie has played the role of the strong, silent man. Three years ago, when he was 35, he played his age digits in the Daily Double through the meetings at New Orleans and Churchill Downs without striking anything that even resembled uranium. When he reached his thirty-sixth birthday at the Detroit course he breathed a sigh of relief. "Played that 3-6 in the Double today," he said. "That 3-5 never did me any good." Two races later Freddie was looking at the "tote" board in deep silence. The 3-5 combination had just won for a big pay-off. Fair Facts: Al Butler, long-time press representative for Rodgers and Hammersteins production, motored to the local course Monday morning and joined the "railbirds" for the training period. Butler is in the Motor City with the musical play, "The King and I." . . . Jimmy Ross, member of the local official staff and racing secretary-handicapper for Atlantic City, is distributing stakes blanks for the New Jersey meeting, which will run from August 9 through October 5 this year. . . . Patrol judge Frank Munden is back on the jub after a brief illness. . . . Jockey Jimmy King, injured during the Churchill Downs spring meeting, returned to the saddle last Saturday with a well-deserved victory astride Lake Stables See My Way. . . . Jockey Evan Jenkins rode a terrific race last week end, capturing the one mile Lake Erie Purse aboard Circle K. Farms George Ardan, who nosed out Buhl stables * Niral after a great stretch duel. Little Johnny Sellers, ne of the best apprentices to show here in some time, kd the mount on Niral.
