Illusionist Coasts Home at Belmont: Wins in First Try in Claiming Race, Daily Racing Form, 1957-06-01

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Illusionist Coasts Home at Belmont Wins in First Try In Claiming Race Greentree Gelding Draws Out, Leading Millden by Good Margin; Fabulist Third By Staff Correspondent BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 31. Looping his four rivals turning for home, Greentree Stables Illusionist coasted to the finish of the featured Lido Beach Purse four and one-half lengths before Rollin W. Mettlers Millden. The saddle slipped on the runner-up and Con Errico had to stand straight up through the final sixteenth, but Illusionist had the race won when that happened. It was another two lengths back to High Tide Stables Fabulist, who saved ground, while Brookmeade- Stables First Aid was a weary fourth, almost a length out of the money after having the lead nearing the quarter pole. Ted Atkinson rode Illusionist, who paid .90 and was teletimed a creditable 1:23 4,5 for the seven furlongs. Former Stakes Winner Illusionist is a rather erratic son of Devil Diver Magic Mirror, by Questionnaire, who last year won the rich Tropical Handicap at a mile and a furlong and a six-furlong sprint at Saratoga. He was bred by John Hay Whitney and his sister, Mrs. Charles Shipman Payson, owners of Green--tree and was racing, with a 5,000 claiming tag today. Though it was his first dip into the claiming ranks, there were no takers. Errico dismounted on pulling up after the race, Milldens saddle having slipped far up on his withers by that time, and came back in a patrol judges car to weigh out. A surprisingly large crowd for a Friday of 26,097 turned out to view the modest program. The gray Fabulist was first out of "the gate at the start of the Lido Beach, a 0,000-5,000 claimer, closely followed by Alibhai Lashes, Millden, First Aid and Illusionist, i who soon dropped several lengths behind the closely grouped leaders. Displaying more than usual early speed, Illusionist began to regain contact leaving the backstretch, while racing on the outside. Alibhai Lashes and First Aid sped past the three-furlong pole as a team, less than a length before Millden, while Illusionist was a close fourth on the extreme outside, . while Fabulist was only a length farther back on the inside, but quite some distance-away from the rail, all of the riders here Continued or Page Fifty-Two Illusionist Draws Off to Easy Tally in Belmont Claiming Test Continued from Page Nine avoiding the deep going onthe inside as though it were quicksand. As they straightened away for the run to the wire, Illusionist was already in the van with Atkinson rousing him sharply to get around the bend while losing ground. Through the stretch, the Greentree gelding drew away steadily and Atkinson, took him in hand juts inside the sixteenth pole. Mill-den had little trouble saving second honors, though Errico was unable to do more than try to keep his balance, while Fabulist failed to profit by his inside "path. First Aid tired badly and was only a nose before the fainthearted Alibhai Lashes at the finish. Gain Hoy Stables Full Flower, a three-year-old daughter of Ambiorix, who was displaced from the role of favorite before the start of the first division of the Pelham Purse by W. L., Harmonays Hatsu, outfin-ished that filly to score by a neck. Miss Mildred Woolwines Navy Nemesis was two lengths farther back at the end of six furlongs in 1:12 and two and one-half lengths before G. H. "Pete" Bostwicks Huspah. Pete Anderson rode Full Flower, who had won and been an unlucky second j in her only other starts, and she paid .80. Charging up on the outside through the stretch under Gene Rodriguez, C. Mahlon Klines lightly raced Last Slam got up in the final strides of the second division of the Pelham Purse to score by a neck over Greentree Stables Pillow Fight, who led John- C. Clarks Forward Look by a scant head. King Ranchs Here and There was only a half length out of the money after racing very wide on the stretch turn and being last out of the gate. Clearwater Stables favored Julep Point stopped badly after a half mile and finished sixth.- Last Slam, a bay daughter of Slam" Bang from Lasting Peace, by Johnstown, paid 7.40 and was timed in 1:12 Ys. By coincidence, Last Slam and Full Flower, winner of the first half of the Pelham, had each started only twice before, winning one and finishing second in one.


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