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Switch On Victor Over Double Bid Motor Line Third; Loses Protest, Too Lincoln Stewards Overrule Claim Lodged by Favorites, Jockey in New London Cap By FRED GALIANI LINCOLN DOWNS, Lincoln, R. I., May 11. — Switch On. flaunting the orange and brown colors of Colella and Forma, made a triumphant return to his old New England stomping grounds with a three-quarters of a length victory in the New London Handicap here today. There was a delay on making the result official, as George Gibb, who rode Motor Line, lodged a claim of foul. Motor Line, Mclvor Pricketts odds-on choice, finished third a length and a half behind P. and B. Cirironis Double Bid in the feature. Motor Line was pinched back going to the far turn, as Switch On moved outside of Double Bid. and Gibb had to take up" and out of the jam. But the stewards ruled there was no foul and allowed the result to stand. Switch On carried topweight of 126 pounds, giving 14 to Double Bid, who was ridden at two pounds overweight by Norman Mercier. The six-year-old gelding paid .80 and covered the seven furlongs in 1:26% over a track that was classifed asgood. A crowd of 18,243 turned out for the semi-final program of the Lincoln session and the day was cool and overcast with rain falling at times. iotor Line was followed by Park Dandy. Cherokee Chief and Glen Alden in the New London and all six of the contestants are eligible for the 0,000 Lincoln Special on closing day. May 20. Former New England Claimer Switch On. claimed in these parts for ,000 as a two-year-old, left the area after his 1955 campaign and became one of the more shining lights on the Florida and New York circuit. This was his second victory in nine starts this season, but he had been competing against the likes of Bardstown and Summer Tan, not to mention the best of the handicap lot in New York this season Victory in the New London was worth ,500 to his owners, both of whom hail from Haverhill, Mass., and were present to see their charge win. Through his "victory today under top weight of 126 pounds, the six -year-old Condiment-Tactic gelding will probably be the early favorite for the Special. Double Bid, who is always right there, being unplaced only once in 12 starts this year, showed the most speed away from the gate and paced Motor Line and Switch On past the stands and around the turn into the backstretch. Through the run along the backside, both Motor Line and- Switch On started td move to the leaders, the Haverhill-owned colt taking the outside and Motor Line on the rail. There was plenty of room along the rail for Motor Line to get through, but Gibb picked the precise moment of going into the turn to move Up in the spot. But he was shut off as both Double Bid and Switch On. deadlocked, swept into the bend. Motor Line had to take back and in the meantime Switch On had gained a slight lead over Double Bid. Switch On was. put to pressure by jockey Jorge Contreras in the stretch and gradually drew away from the persistent Double Bid. In the meantime Motor Line had come back and resumed his post along the rail. On the final bend, he got room and came through, but lacked the necessary rally and was not making up any ground under, his 116 pounds. The other three contestants were never in the engagement a sixteenth of a mile after they left the gate. Park Dandy taking fourth money four lengths behind Motor Line.
