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SMte* , ** ..~.im. On tne Trot I— Br MOKRIE KURLANSKY 1 Belle Acton, Haughton Sparkle Score Two Remarkable Victories Wonder Filly Breaks Track Mark SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., June 22.— Belle Acton, the wonder filly, and Billy Haughton, one of the great sulky pilots of all t i m e, combined „ , _ _ . , their their talents talents to to score score SMte* , their their talents talents to to score score two remarkable victories that will live long in the memory of all those privileged to see the great battle of the nations leading four-and five-year-old pacers in the Transamer-ica Series at Sportsmans Park Friday night. Not only that Belle Belle Acton, Acton, in in a a Belle Belle Acton, Acton, in in a a ** ..~.im. breath-taking performance in the second elimination heat, equalled Poplar Bills track record of 2:011/s, the long-bodied, easy-striding filly, a perfect racing tool with the best of manners and courage that marks a true champion, humbled her illustrious opposition with a record-smashing speed exhibition in the final heat to emerge as the Sportsmans Park track record holder with a sensational mile in 2:00%. It was the fifth consecutive victory for the daughter of The Widower and the Scotland mare, Diane Scot, and the third time in a row that she equalled or bettered a track record. There is little doubt that Belle Acton, in her present form, is superior even to world champion Adios Harry. In fact, Belle Acton defeated Adios Harry two weeks ago at Laurel Raceway in a free-for-all event and among her victims was the world champion mare, Dotties Pick. The following week, Belle Acton set a track record in the Hilliards Transamerica Series and now her name is engraved on the Sportsmans Park honor roster. Whats next for her? First, she has been sent, with Noble Adios, to Doc Flanerys show place at St. Charles, home of the worlds greatest trotter, Greyhound, to enjoy a few days of rest and roaming in the pasture. Then, she will go to Detroit for the Wolverine Raceway Transamerica and July 15 follows the climax at Yonkers Raceway when the 10 leading point winners of the Transamerica Series will vie for the 0,000 purse of the spring finale. With 15 pacers entered for the Fox Valley Transamerica,, the race was conducted on the elimination heat plan. The first elimination dash became the prey of Brightside Farms Hundred Proof, with Bob Parkinson at the reins, who downed Bachelor Hanover, driven by Haughton, in a breath-taking stretch duel in the splenidd time of 2:02. Libbys Boy, Widower Creed and Noble Adios also qualified for the final dash out of this first elimination heat. In the second heat, as expected, Belle Acton was installed an odds-6n choice in the field of eight that contained the Fitzpatrick stable entry of Sea Eagle and Scotchlite. It was the latter that outsprinted the field around the first turn, followed by Honest Jerry and Knight Patrol. Passing the stands the first time, Haughton moved up quickly with Belle Acton to take the lead. On the backstretch, Ozark Chief, driven by Howard Beissinger, rushed out of sixth position to challenge the filly. It looked as if Ozark Chief would pull away, but as soon as he had reached Belle Actons saddle, Haughton loosened his strong hold on the filly and off she went. From then on it was Ozark Chief chasing Belle Acton. At the wire, it was Belle Acton by one and one-half lengths over Ozark Chief, this one in turn almost two lengths in front of Gold Worthy. For the final heat, Belle Acton was made a 2-5 favorite. Haughton, of course, elected the filly as his mount, while Bachelor Hanover was entrusted to Stan Stucker, driver of Grand R. Volo in the first elimination heat. It was Bachelor Hanover that cut out a rapid first quarter in 29% seconds, with Libbys Boy, Hundred Proof and Belle Acton right behind him. As the field passed the stands, Widower Creed thundered up to take the lead at the five-eighths mark, but Belle Acton was moving with him. It was only a short struggle around the clubhouse turn, but as soon as the filly had disposed of Widower Creed, Honest Jerry made a dangerous bid. Again, Belle Acton showed this instant acceleration from a rapid pace to sprinting speed of which only a true champion is capable. Not only was Honest Jerry subdued within a few strides, but he made a break. Haughton kept Belle "Acton under pressure in the final quarter and, although Gold Worthy staged a remarkable stretch drive that swept him past horses, the Worthy Boy never threatened Belle Acton, who won by one length in the new track record time of 2:00*6. Analyzing Belle Actons record perform- ance, which undoubtedly would have been the equivalent of a 1:58 mile if raced at Lexington or Vernon Downs, the greatest speed was produced in the first and third quarters. Nothing surprising, of course, about the 29% seconds of the first quarter, but that third panel in 29% seconds is all-revealing. Many free-for-all pacers can go a first half in..l:01%, which was the time in Belle Actons record mile, but to come home in :59% is a rare accomplishment. And Belle Acton did it.
