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Sand Boy . Scores . in Slop at . Pimlico . ■ * : : : - - - . - . - Adverse Weather Greets First Day 9#498 Watch Vain Stretch Challenge by Pine Theme; Tee Shirt Third in Feature By PALMIER IIEAGERTY PIMLICO, Md.. May 5.— George W. Parkers Sand Boy, always a dangerous competitor over a sloppy track, had a racing surface to his liking this afternoon and charged to a half-length victory over North Downs Farm Stables Pine Theme as the Maryland Jockey Club launched its 12-day spring meeting under adverse weather conditions. In third position, three lengths farther back, came James Salibas Tee Shirt, with Christiana Stables Quarter Deck, mainstay of an entry favored by the rain-soaked crowd of 9,498, finishing fourth. Noted for his early foot. Sand Boy out-sprinted Pine Theme for command and was responsible for the pace under clever rating by Bennie Green. The two leaders were separated by about two lengths until inside the furlong pole, where Pine Theme showed surprising, late response to Eddie Plesas urging and cut his deficit to a half length at the wire. Tee Shirt, always in third position, was unable to menace the top pair but had little difficulty in holding safe the disappointing Quarter Deck. The latter, who made a seasonal bow recently at Laurel and was a bang-up third behind True Verdict and Tudor Era, showed little or no response this afternoon and was beaten about five lengths. Favored Staysail Victorious The Christiana Stables, trainer Henry Clark and jockey Eldon Nelson enjoyed better success in the preceding race when they clicked with Staysail, who raced coupled with Moorings Stables Tempted and was favored at .20. The Half Crown colt won by a length and a half in 1:133s, with Mrs. J. Bowes Bonds Alstar second by almost that much over Tempted. Staysail, who hadnt raced since finishing third behind Jewels-Reward and Nala in the Futurity here last fall, gave a smart effort today. He raced close to the pace, wore down the pacemaking Royal Clipper when ready, then scored cleverly after turning back the challenge of Alstar. Longshot Daily Double returns, which have been prevalent in Maryland this spring, came in for further attention this afternoon when there was a pay-off of ,272.80 on the 2-11 combination of Powhatan Farms Quib and Charles W. Knoxs Sannie. Quib, a three-year-old Quibu maiden, was graduating in his 15th start and paid 8.20. Crown Derby, a Jack High seven-year-old who was claimed two races back for ,500 by Jacob L. Friedman, whipped 0,000 sprinters in the fifth race. Moving-from just off the pace. Crown Derby, under Karl Korte, prevailed by almost a length over Roy Faircloths Admiral John after six furlongs in 1:13%. Crown Derby was overlooked in the six-horse field and paid 7.80.
