Rockcastle Popular Tomasello Winner: Leone Star Guided Home in Clear by Warren Lane While Cheered by 34,282 Patrons, Daily Racing Form, 1957-05-31

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Rockcastle Popular Tomasello Winner Leone Star Guided Home in Clear by Warren Lane While Cheered by 34,282 Patrons By TEDDY COX SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 30. Rockcastle, the courageous Calumet Farm castoff who subsequently was saved from destruction after he had sustained a fractured, bone in his foot, made a gigantic step towards regaining the peak of his form when he very smartly and authoritatively scored a popular triumph in the 20th running of the 0,000 Tomasello Handicap before a huge throng of 34,282 here this afternoon. The handsome five-year-old stallion was given a confident ride by the veteran, Warren Lane, who on occasion has ridden over the jumps during his topsy-turvy career. Lane allowed him abundant time to locate his best stride, then saved much ground to enter contention. William J. Beatties Park Dandy, another Yankeeland favorite, loomed as the possible winner at the head of the stretch, but succumbed in the closing stages and was a length and three-quarters behind while in second place. Fuller Mclver Pricketts Motor Line gained the show honors over Peter Fullers Cherokee Chief. Top Favorite of the Day Rockcastle raced the mile and one-sixteenth in 1:44 and was easily the most popular victor of the day, paying .20. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Leone, of Methuen, Mass., were on hand in the charmed circle to accept a trophy from Mrs. Joseph Tomasello, the widow of the builder of Suffolk Downs for whom the race was named. The largest crowd of the young New England season enjoyed salubrious weather for the big Memorial Day program. Shirt sleeves were in order and a bright sun beamed down on the course. The racing strip was at its best. Rockcastle was bred by the Calumet Farm and was sold to the Leones for 2,-000. He won an edition of the Yankee Handicap, but cracked a cannon bone in the Roamer Handicap of 1955 and the veterinarians recommended that he be humanely destroyed. The Leones, however, decided to save the son of Fervent Columbiana, by Pharamond IT., even though he was insured at the time for 0,000. This was his most important triumph since the injury that threatened his life. The start was perfect, which is not at all unsual for George R. "Buddy" Wing-field, and Fresh and Fair stepped out to set the pace. Georgie Gibb dropped Motor Continued on Page Forty-Nine Favored Rockcastle Takes Suffolks Tomasello Cap Leone Star Guided Home in Clear By Lane; 34,282 Attend Continued from Page Eight Line down along the rail as they reached the first turn and this may have contributed to his defeat. Rockcastle was allowed to remain many lengths off the pace. As they moved into the far turn, Motor Line found himself in the position of taking back when he loomed up in close quarters, or driving up with a premature move. George Gibb chose the latter and Motor Line moved briskly to the front. As they headed into the stretch, however, Park Dandy also made a bold thrust and Motor Line began a grim battle. Along the rail, however, with a smooth, perfectly timed bid came Rockcastle. An eighth out he was just off thelead, but methodically swarmed over his opposition as they neared the finish. R; B. Carrolls Deadeye Dick came from off a fast pace to account for the fourth race, in which the best two-year-olds on the grounds competed. At the finish he was a length and one-quarter ahead of H. H. Mundys Picks Girl, while Circle K. Farms Carrara Lamar was third. The winner raced the five furlongs in :59 and David DeRoin saved ground throughout while handling the reins. Carrara Lamar, who broke a couple of track records at Lincoln Downs, went in the affray with some type of claim as the best youngster in New England. He was accompanied by his stablemate, Sea Hymn, and the pair was established at odds on. During the running, however, Carrara Lamar found powerful opposition from Picks Girl from the beginning. The latter broke in front, and the Circle K. Farm speedster dashed out and surged up with a burst that put him on even terms as they headed into the turn. Picks Girl drew off to herself in the stretch, but Deadeye Dick was beginning his challenge along the rail. He found Picks Girl tiring from her early efforts in the last sixteenth and swept up with a rush that proved too much for the pacemaker.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1957053101/drf1957053101_8_3
Local Identifier: drf1957053101_8_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800