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Mr. Patrick Surprise Victor Oyer Decathlon Fayorite Succumbs by Length When Culmone Switches Stick By. WILLIAM G. PHILLD?S GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J., May 5. — Dixie McKinleys Mr. Patrick, a rank outsider, bested River Divide Farms vaunted Decathlon in the fourth running of the six-furlong Delaware Valley Stakes here this afternoon before an amazed crowd of 35,212. The victorious gelding, a son of Rico Monte and Ann Boyd, wrested command from Decathlon as Joe Culmone lifted his mounts head up and switched the stick to his left hand approaching the sixteenth marker. Mr. Patrick drew clear by a length at the finish, with Decathlon holding well under his 124 pound impost to he second by a length over Natalie Lynchs Nans Mink. The latter finished well alongside the rail and was third by three-quarters of a length over Ada L. Rices Flight History. It was a perfect day as far as weather and track conditions were concerned, but a comparative few collected the 2.80 mutuel returned on Mr. Patrick. He carried 115 pounds over the fast track in 1:09% and was awarded 1,200 from the gross purse of 0,250. Trainer Kenny Noe, making his first invasion of Eastern racing, accepted the trophy in the absence of the owner, receiving the presentation from Mayor Christian Webber of Delaware Township. Mr. Patrick was a winner of his last race at Keeneland before shipping Continued on Page Forty-Seven Mr, Patrick Surprise Victor Over Decathlon Favorite Succumbs by Length When Culmone Switches Stick Continued from Page One here, and he won two overnight events last winter in Florida. Decathlon, ridden by Gene Martin, ran as expected in the Delaware Valley. He went to the front at the start, was well rated, and it appeared he had the race run as he already had repulsed several challenges on the turn and maintained a clear lead passing the final furlong marker. The Olympiacolt, winner of the Hibiscus and three other races .this season, and considered the best sophomore sprinter in this area, simply was unable to cope with the late speed of the winner in the last 70 yards. Mr. Patrick was for all purposes last in the field at the start, Singer having been left at the past, and he steadily improved position down the backstretch. Culmone was fortunate to find room on the inside entering the stretch," but he swung out to the middle of the course to come around the three leaders in the last eighth. At the six-tenth pole he switched punishment to his left hand, and the colt willingly drew clear. Mrs. Ada L. Rices Flight History, under 115 pounds, made determined efforts to stay with Decathlon setting the pace, and on the turn he drew abreast the favorite. The strain was too much after he entered the stretch, but he still held on well to be fourth. Gayle L. Smith who rode Nans Mink, said that he got through on the rail in the stretch or he wouldnt have been third. Itobe, believed the stronger half of the Brookf ield Farms" entry that won this race in 1954 with I Geegee, lacked speed from the gate and he bolted wherT Robert Stevenson swung him out from behind horses on the stretch turn. Calumet Farms Eastgate, second choice in the field, was never prominent, and jockey Henry Moreno reported that he "just wouldnt run." Spring Hill Farms I Appeal, the star sprinter here in New Jersey last season, won the Gettsburg Purse preceding and supporting the feature. Charlie Burr had the five-year-old Sir Pennant horse in front soon after the start and rode him vigorously through the final three furlongs to finish one-half length to the good over Skipper Bill. The latter came again after being eased back from the winner in the early stages and he finished three-quarters of a length before W. E. Browns Royal Battle. Mrs. Henry Obres Golden Admiral was another three-quarters of a length out of the money. . I appeal, who holds the Garden State Park track record of 1:08%, was timed the six furlongs under 116 pounds today in 1:10%. He was a close second choice to Royal Battle and paid .60. This was I Appeals second triumph under the stable silks of James D. Norris, having been purchased with I Gee Gee from the Brookfield Farms last fall.
