view raw text
Soldier Son Drives To Blackstone Win Beats Switch On by Length, One-Half Despite Suffering Hind Leg Cut During Running By FRED GALIANI NARRAGANSETT PARK. Pawtucket, R. I., June 11. — Irving Gushens Soldier Son paraded his beat in Ahe Blackstone Valley Handicap here today, driving to the finish of the six-furlong race a length and a half before G. S. Colellas Switch On, who nosed out Peter Putriments favored My Banker for third. When the roan six-year-old was brought into the winners circle, the inside of his left hind leg was dripping blood from a cut on his gaskin. Later, Dr. E. V. Cole said that the cut on Soldier Sons leg was about an inch and a half long, and that it was a superficial slice. Soldier Son was lightly regarded by the crowd of 18,844, who turned out on a cloudy and, at times, rainy afternoon, and paid 4.60. The Irish-bred covered the distance in 1:11 over the fast track, with Darrell Madden doing his usual workmanlike job of booting the winner home. The Blackstone, an overnight handicap, was worth ,625 to Gushen, national president of the HBPA, breeder and owner. Soldier Son ad started only twice previously this year and finished third and fourth as the favorite both times. Under 116 pounds this afternoon, he was second high weight to My Banker, who carried 120 pounds. He has been a consistent perform for Gushen, last season winning six out of 16 starts and being in the money anothor half dozen times. First to Break Soldier Son broke quickly and put his gray "head to the front at the start of the Blackstone, but Mintaway went right with him and in a few short strides had taken over command. My Banker was a prominent third, with Weal or Woe running fourth in the jaunt down the backstretch. Switch On was in the rear, but ready to move on the outside. Rounding the turn, Mintaway and Soldier Son were still fighting it out and as they came to the head of the stretch, Soldier Son, in the middle of the track, regained his lead. Mintaway was running second on the inside, with My Banker making a drive. Through the stretch, Madden continued to push Soldier Son, who gradually drew away from his opposition. In the meantime, Switch On made up tremendous ground on the far outside and charged up in the last jump to put his nose in front of My Banker. Isle of Bond came from last place to be fourth, as Mintaway tired from his early efforts. After the race, Madden and Frank Soli-iriena, who rode Mintaway, said that a stray dog had gotten on the track near the far turn while the race was in progress. Madden said that Soldier Son jumped the dog, and he thinks that was when the horse suffered the cut on the leg. Solimena stated that Mintaway hit the dog.
