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_ Nashua Nashua Easy Easy Belmont Belmont Victor; Victor; Blue Blue Choir Choir Wins Wins Turf Turf Stake Stake Irish-Bred Annexes Bal moral Handicap Holds Six-Length Advantage On Smoke Screen in 8,300 Event Run Over Soft Course By HUGH J. McGUIRE WASHINGTON PARK, Homewood, III., June 11.— Mastering the turf course rendered soft by repeated rainfall during the past -week, Blue Choir, racing for Mrs. Harry L. Nathenson, wife of the vice-president of the host, Balmoral Jockey Club, accounted for the initial running of the Balmoral Turf Handicap here today when the Irish-bred son of Menetrier Fleur Bleue came to the end of the mile and three-sixteenths with an advantage of six lengths under the hustling tactics of Ronnie Baldwin, who did not let up on his charge until the finish line was crossed. Second by a Neck Driving hard to retain second place by a neck came Reverie Knoll Farms Smoke Screen, as another Irish-bred, Foothill Farms Salmon Peter, was third in the field of 11. The victor required 2:04% to negotiate the distance and his score earned him 5,200 of the gross purse of 8,300. The winner had scored in his latest venture over the turf course in an allowance race here, but was overlooked by the crowd of 18,634 who were on hand for the days sport. Fourth at the end was Hasty House Farms second choice, Sea O Erin, who had set the pace into the home lane, but who Continued on Page Seven Blue Choir Scores Upset Accounting In 8,300 Balmoral Turf Handicap Irish-Bred Holds Advantage t Of Six Lengths Over Smoke Screen; Salmon Peter Third Continued from Page One weakened and drifted out under the late pressure. "Charfran Stables Argentinian, Cascanuez, was installed a stout choice on the strength of an excellent turf record, but after being in tight quarters aroiihd the first turn raced on the outside and did not enter serious contention. With the late withdrawal of his stablemate, Mister Black, Sea O Erin became the highweight of the starting field under 120 pounds, while the winner shouldered 110. Mister Black was withdrawn late on the advice of the stable veterinarian, who reported that a hock injury sustained some 10 days ago was suspect. The late withdrawal of Mister Black resulted in a shifting of. jockeys. Johnny Adams, who had been scheduled to ride the Reuben ace, moved to the mount on Sea O Erin, displacing Steve Brooks. The latter, in turn, was put up on Calumets Mark-Ye-Well, replacing Arnold Kirkland. Mark-Ye-Well showed no inclination to run at any stage of the race. ■ The start of the headliner was excellent, and Sea O Erin was hustled to the front in the run for the first turn, where there was some minor crowding. Sea O Erin was soon clear, and it was Bugledrums and Tritium who raced closely lapped next in line before Two Fisted and County Clare. Straight on the backstretch, Tritium moved into clear possession of the runner-up post back of the Hasty House leader, and with his stablemate, County Clare, next and before the eventual winner. Soon the pace forcers found their task too severe and, going to the far turn, Blue Choir was in sole command of the position back of Sea O Erin, and on the elbow into the home lane secured room on the inside to take i over. *- * * f 4 z ~ - . - • i.mi Baldwin put the Irish colt to pressure and he drew clear readily, and here Sea O Erin began to show signs of laboring and drifted out. Lengthening his advantage under Baldwins relentless hand urging. The winner was still drawing out as the finish line was crossed. Meanwhile, Smoke Screen had been slow to settle into his best stride, but after a [half mile he reached closer contention readily and through the home lane made a determined but futile bid to overtake the winner. Through the stretch also came Salmon Peter, the lightweight of the field under 103 pounds to provide a stiff tussle for secondary honors, but neither proved I dangerous to the victor, r, i » x ■» .
