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Ocean Lane Beats Kaster by Nose Ties Turf Course Record at Laurel Our Dance Length Behind Top Two in Chevy Chase As 17-Day Meeting Closes By PALMER HEAGERTY LAUREL, Md., May 7.— North Downs Farms Ocean Lane, narrowly beaten in Saturdays Laurel Handicap, won by stable-mate Momus, scored a driving nose victojy over C. Mahlon Klines Kaster in the Chevy Chase Purse here this afternoon as Laurel concluded-a 17-day spring meeting. Showing a distinct fondness for the grass, the gray son of Coastal Traffic equalled the mile and one-sixteenth turf course record at 1:42%, and returned 2.60 to his followers in the crowd of 10,491. Ocean Lane, under Bill Zakoor, hooked up with Kas.ter and Cedar Farms Our Dance for the stretch-long drive and withstood the extended drive in gallant fashion while operating under 113 pounds, including a one-pound overweight, and conceding a single pound to Kaster. Our Dance finished third, one length behind the top pair, under 118 pounds. The first three finishers in the Chevy Chase are destined to meet again Saturday in Pimlicos 0,000-added Riggs Handicap, the weights for which are due from racing secretary J. Fred Colwill Tuesday morning. They will again tangle in the 5,000-added Dixie Handicap on May 30. Both the Riggs, at a mile and a half, and Dixie, a mile and three furlongs, are contested over the turf. Powder Flash Early Pacemaker Auburn Farms Powder Flask, making his first attempt at a distance of more than six furlongs, was the pacemaker in the Chevy Chase, but failed to take kindly to his duties and had to be roused at intervals by Ray Mikkonen. Closest in attendance was Kaster, who was wisely rated by Augie Catalano to await a late bid. Our Dance raced along in fifth and sixth position - during the early running, while Ocean Lane moved into" fourth position along the backstretch. Powder Flask called it a day entering the stretch and Ocean Lane, Kaster and Our Dance moved by him at almost the same time. Our Dance, on the outside, raced extremely wide, then weakened under his high Weight, as Ocean Lane and Kaster continued their battle. Ocean Lane, just as he had in the Laurel, responded gamely to urging from Zakoor to gain the nod, as Kaster added to his reputation of being strictly a "second" horse. He finished in the place position 10 times last year while winning but two races and has been second in both of his appearances this season. The highlight of this meeting was the riding of Bill Hartack, who gained saddle honors among the riders despite the fact that he saw action only six of the 17 days. In those half-dozen days, Hartack accounted for 16 races, then retained the leadership through the final days.
