Six Starters in Cleopatra Handicap; Trio Named to Oppose Helioscope: Helis Colt Strong Odds-on Favorite, Daily Racing Form, 1955-06-22

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Six Six Starters Starters in in Cleopatra Cleopatra Handicap; Handicap; Trio Trio Named Named to to Oppose Oppose Helioscope Helioscope Helis Colt Strong j Odds-on Favorite Mgy Run Salvator Mile as Exhibition Race Without Betting; Artismo Doubtful By WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS Staff Correspondent MONMOUTH PARK, Oceanport. N. J., June 21. William G. Helis, Jr.s Helioscope dismayed all but three opponents who were named to oppose him here Wednesday in the seventh renewal of the Salvator Mile", and at least one of these is expected to be withdrawn before post time. The four-year-old colt, a son of Heliopolis and War Flower, by Man o War, recently conquered the sophomore champion of 1954, High Gun, in the Suburban, and he has won four of his five starts this year. With a field of four the Salvator would gross 8,-000 and net 2,600 to the winner, who is universally predicted to be Helioscope. No Decision Until Afternoon - The Salvator probably will be presented as an exhibition race with no betting, although the management is reserving the right to determine the wagering aspect until final, scratch time, 45 minutes prior to the race. The doubtful wagering status of the Salvator prompted the management to program nine races, instead of the usual eight, and the New Jersey Racing Commission has authorized betting on all-nine. Helioscope will start at a high weight of 126 pounds under the conditions of the Salvator and he will be ridden, as usual, by Sam Boulmetis. Those whose owners had the temerity to oppose Helioscope are Elkcam Stables Ifabody, 118; James Cox Bradys Artismo, 118, and Brookfield Farms I Geegee, 114. Trainer Howard Hausner and Maurice Barshak, of the Helis camp, have both reaffirmed their decision to start Helioscope in the Salvator, "as a prep for his coming engagements in July." Trainer Bobby Dot-ter this morning stated that he would not start Artismo if Helioscope remains in the Continued on Page Fortv-Nire Name Trio to Face Helis Colt at Jersey May Run Salvator Mile as Exhibition Race Without Betting; Artismo Doubtful Continued from Page One lield, indicating the Salvator will not have his presence. It is also interesting that no riders were named on Helioscopes three rivals, and there is a possibility that the Helis colt will be permitted to take the Salvator as a "walk-over," even though second money is ,000, third money,! ,500, and a small pot of 50 to the fourth horse. In the event of a warkover, the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Racing Commission stipulate in rule 602 that, "he shall receive all entrance fees forfeit, but no portion .of the purse, stake, or added money or any other prize." That would give Helioscope a net of only ,250. If Helioscope is uncontested in the Salvator it will be the first such instance in New Jersey racing since the great Salvator himself was unable to find a field to oppose him at the old Monmouth Park on. August 28, 1890. In this instance Salvator was opposed -by one horse who used to pace him. He beat that horse by 18 lengths and set a mile record of 1:35 "against time." The unique situation here is really a great tribute to what is probably a great horse. Helioscope has been nothing short of sensational this year, not only, winning four of his five starts over the best handicap horses that could be brought against him, but setting three track records and equalling another in doing it. The big bay has one of the longest strides that this writer has ever witnessed, and his gameness is irreproachable. In the Valley Forge at Garden State Park he shouldered 130 pounds and came again after being headed by Joe Jones, to whom he was conceding 21 pounds, and established a mile and 70 yards track record of 1:40. Again, in the Suburban, he turned back High Gun, who collared him at the furlong pole, and" equaled the modern mile and a quarter Belmont record of 2:00. Carried 128 in Suburban Albeit, Helioscope received five pounds from High Gun in the Suburban, but he himself carried a steadying 128 pounds and observers call it one of the most thrilling races of recent time, and they take no credit from Helioscope. Helioscope started the season setting a seven-furlong mark of 1:22 at Bowie, was beaten under 130 pounds by Social Outcast and Fisherman in his next start, then won the Valley Forge and next the Massachusetts Handicap when he beat Social Outcast under 126, fashioning a mile and a quarter record of 2:01. It is not intended in the nature of an excuse, but the director of the Helis racing interests, Maurice Jock Barshak, recently admitted that Helioscope bruised a heel when he was beaten in the Southern Maryland Handicap at Bowie. Barshak explained that he did "not want, to make excuses for the horse" at the time, but that "it could have cost him the race." Barshak did not make the statement with the thought of publication, and it is a matter of "second guessing" now, but it also is an interesting facet to a horse who might otherwise be unbeaten if he continues in his good form. The next engagements being considered for Helioscope are the seyen-furlong Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, July 4, the mile and a quarter Brooklyn Handicap at the same track on July 9, andor the Michigan Mile at Detroit, on July 9. Now for a mention of his Salvator rivals. Ifabody finished eighth in the six-furlong Oceanport Handicap, his last start. He has won three races this year, including the Burch. Memorial Handicap. Artismo finished a distant third to Jet Action in an allowance dash here his last outing, has not won a race this year,- but finished second in the McLennan, Roseben and Metropolitan Handicaps. I Geegee, the most likely to be a starter, finished second to Dark Peter in the Oceanport here and was given the purse through disqualification in an allowance race this season. All of the Salvator entrants are four-year-olds.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1955062201/drf1955062201_1_6
Local Identifier: drf1955062201_1_6
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800