view raw text
■ --u.- --■■—----.----■■ .--■-■ ■■■.- "i *i* Ascot Park !— By W. A. Cruse J Attractive Events Spell Record Handles Gold Cup This Week Ends Top Offering Steppin Pappy Handicap Also on Program ASCOT PARK. Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio, May 16.— The Ascot Park Jockey Club Inc. is going into the final phase of the 44-day meeting. This session comes to a ■ --u.- --■■—----.----■■ .--■-■ ■■■.- "i close close Monday. Monday. May May 27. 27. The The re- close close Monday. Monday. May May 27. 27. The The re- remaining days of the spring meet should bring about one of the largest increases in mutuel handle and attendance recorded at the meeting, particularly with several attractive events still to be offered. Included on the agenda are the ,000 Steppin Pappy Handicap and the 0,000 Ascot Gold Cup this coming Saturday, Appreciation Day next Tuesday, Mav May 21. 21. and and on on the the final final Satur- *i* Mav May 21. 21. and and on on the the final final Satur- Saturday, May 25. the ,000 Ascot Silver Cup and the ,000 Ascot Speed Handicap. On each of the Saturdays 10 races will be presented and predictions are for a hew record in mutuel handle to be posted on each succeeding week end. Racing secretary and handicapper Charles F. Henry reports that 24 thoroughbreds have made the preference list for the 0,000 Ascot Gold Cup for its annual running here on Saturday, over the marathon two miles distance. The Gold Cup was inaugurated here in 1941 for a purse of 00 and was won by Dian, while the 1956 renewal was captured by the Gateway Stables Steppin Pappy. An innovation is being offered this year and will be in effect each succeeding year. A handicap will be titled for the previous years victor of the Cup. In 1951 the good mare Chiffon was the victress of the coveted Cup and in winning it* that year, set a track record mark of 3:252.-,. which still stands. An extremely interesting note to this is that Chiffon was in foal at the time of that running. The foal was none other than Willy Nilly, who won one of the better contests here last week. Harry Husman Appears Formidable Of the 24 horses that have earned preference, the principal attention centers on Harry Husman from the Potato Chip Farm, and trained by Benny Myres; Hi Acres Farms Phala Man. Sent Back from the Pas-quale Stable. War Finish who is owned by J. J. Graham, and Lethnot, Mill Camp, Landable and Setubal. Harry Husman, named in honor of his owner, who campaigns under the nom de course of the Potato Chip Farm, has had two wins and one second at the mile and nine-sixteenths distance, the qualifying distance, and turned in the fastest time of 2:4223. Phala Man won last Saturday, and Sent Back scored twice at the marathon distance. War Finish will offer his usual strong bid for the "ten grand" pot. having won three times and all at the long distances. Trainer Benny Myres had Harry Husman on the sloppy course here on Wednesday for a limbering up and jockey Clarence Roberts who was up on the Hunters Moon IV. gelding breezed him a mile around the "dogs" in 1:47 flat. Only 12 horses will make up the Gold Cup field on Saturday and if the above-mentioned racers accept, it will be one of the most interesting runnings of the Gold Cups history. Akronotes: Frank Pastrinastro, an assistant to racing secretary F. G. "Pat" Farrell, is a daily visitor at this course before moving over to ThistleDown, which opens on the heels of this meetings conclusion. Frank was a patrol judge in Detroit last year and worked in the racing secretarys office in Chicago. . . . The exodus for other environs has started. However, the greater number of thoroughbreds appear to be shipping to River Downs, at Cincinnati, where the meeting opens on the 24th of May. The Potato Chip Farm, maintained by Harry Husman. the Cincinnati. Ohio, native, will leave late this week. Trainer Myres reports that in all he will have 14 in his charge, which is being supplemented by some other members of the Ben Jo Stable. .. . Owner and trainer Pete Maxwell is also scheduled to leave for River Downs. Pete has received his confirmation of reservations for 17 stalls. . . . Jockey J. J. Rivera accepted his first mount Wednesday after completing a 10-day suspension. As much as wed like to say he won again, he finished a not too badly beaten fourth with R. L. Benshoffs Macaluso. Tiner to Take Over as Starter Emery Drennen handles the riding engagements of apprentice Ernest Supiran, who is under contract to C. E. Brown Jr. The Brown thoroughbreds will campaign on the Cleveland circuit for the remainder of the summer. . . . When starter William "Bill" Mills departs to take up his duties at Ak-SarBen, which opens on May 21, J. A. Tiner will again fill in as the starter for the remainder of the Ascot Park meeting. We feel that "Bill" is one of the fastest in getting them under way, but he said this morning: "Wait until you see Tiner in action." . . . Trainer Don E. Eddy has three charges in his care for local patrons, Ella Tan for W. E. Shankle-ton, the Sand Hill Farms Chica Too and W. Brown and J. M. Brodys Bettys Jet. Don is a native of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and wintered the horses in this area. . . . One of the many frequent visitors to the Ascot clubhouse these days is Deforest Winters. "Ted" to his many friends, a well-known radio salesman, has for many years been known for his association as a public address announcer or "horns" man at the air shows.