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. . I On the Trot I— By MORRIE KURLANSKY—— Sportsmans Meet Always Successful 14 Class Trot Tops Opening Card Post Special Award for 2:00 Mile SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., June 4. — A 14 class trot stake in two mile dashes is the featured event as Chicago Downs . . opens opens its its 4 48 8 -night -night opens opens its its 4 48 8 -night -night stand Monday night at Americas greatest little race track, revamped Sportsmans Park. Since the initial harness meeting at Sportsmans Park -in the summer of 1949, this middle meet of the long Chicago sulky season consistently has been the most successful, ful, a a fact fact a a great great deal deal ful, a a fact fact a a great great deal deal due to the rommy facilities and easy accessibility of the popular Cicero plant. Once again Chicago Downs officials have, spared no efforts to lure some of the greatest names in harness racing to Chicago and their endeavor was richly rewarded as Hayes Fair Acres Stable, Saunders Mills, Castleton Farms among others have bedded down their free-for-all aces of both gaits at Sportsmans. While a minimum price of ,000 is guaranteed for overnight events, a series of lucrative early closers and two 2,000 invitational races will provide the highlights. An additional attraction for fast trotters and pacers will be a ,000 prize, which will be awarded the driver wholl guide a trotter or pacer to victory in two minutes or faster. No such thing would be possibly expected for opening night but swift trips can be expected in the feature jrace when Express Colby, a winner of five races at Maywood Park this spring, clashes with Victor Morris, Francis Eton, Sir Boris, Fez Oaks, Clever Trinket, Delleana Hanover, Port Royal, Aileens Song, and Jochovolo. Three-year-olds of both gaits once again were in the limelight on Thursdays nine-race card at Maywood Park, which was otherwise highlighted by a fine double victory on part of Benny Schue, distinguished driver for the Hayes Fair Acres Stable," the greatest money-winning outfit in modern day harness racing. Added excitement was created when Tom Wilburn was thrown into the infield after his charge, Jo Colleen, made a break at the head of the stretch and fell. Both driver and horse escaped injuries and Gene Biegle also was able to walk away from the scene of a serious looking spill on the clubhouse turn in the first heat of a schooling race before the regular program. The series of Northern Illinois Colt Stakes was continued with two events, one for two-year-old trotters and one for three-year-old pacers. Abbe Jane Girl, a promising trotting juvenile by Poplar Abbe — Janes Girl owned by Elmer Knackmuhs of West Salem, 111., and trained by that good colt man Tom Wilburn, was easily best to win in 2:14%, best mile time of the meeting for one of like age and gait. Wilburn seems to be well prepared for the four 0,000 plus divisions of the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes at Springfield later in the season. He will be represented by Rivertown in the two-year-old pacing division and Gracie Colleen in the trotting event for three-year-olds, the latter already victorious in the rich race as a two-year-old. Jerry Baiers homebred pacing colt Selkas King, probably the best horse to come from the Elgin horsemans stud farm, was made a 2-to-5 favorite in the Northern Illinois Colt Stake and won in such superior style as to justify the strong support. Taking the lead right at the start Baier let Easter Haven driven by owner Floyd Griebel temporarily go to the front but regained command when the Marengo colt slowed up a little bit after a first quarter in iZ9iand. As far as the winner was concerned, his race was practically over at the half mile mark as none of his 12 opponents was able to get close to the roller-coasting Kings Counsel offspring. The following race, a 22-23 class trot, saw another equally short-priced public choice, Dr. H. T. Wills Chicago-owned trotting filly Lady Brookwood making good although the many backers of the Darnley daughter had to endure a few anxious moments as she made a break at the start. Ordinarily a horse committing such a mistake is practically eliminated but not Lady Brookwood. Once Jake Mahoney had her straightened out she made up the lost ground within less than a quarter of a mile and went right on for the lead crossing the finish line well ahead of her field with speed to spare. Her latest victory, the fourth out of six starts, brought Lady Brookwoods earnings at this meeting over the ,500 which is about ,000 more than her owner paid for this three-quarter sister to Scotcli Valley, one of the nations fastest trotters over half-mile tracks. Benny Schue, a driver whose feats with worlds richest trotter ProntpDon and, the great free-legged pacer Dudley Hanover have been immortalized in the record books, guided two horses of his contract employer, the Hayes Fair Acres Stable of Du Quoin, to victories. Rounding out a 93.20 Daily Double with Jollys Lusty, a three-year-old pacing daughter of Lusty Song, who won the Hambletonian for the Hayes stable in 1950 and is now a rising young sire in Kentucky, the talented teamster made it a wire-to-wire victory in the BB trot behind Miss Prondean, this five-year-old mare already had gained attention a week ago when she sped the first half mile in a race won by Sir Gallon in 2:04% in. an amazing :59tn.
