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Ekaba Decisions Social Climber at Golden Gate GateAgoura Agoura Colt Captures Handicap By Head Eddie Schmidt Is Third ThirdGOLDEN GOLDEN GATE FIELDS Albany Calif May 12 The Agoura Stock Farms Ekaba was voted the best grass track performer last winter at Santa Anita but that he also can hold his own against top horses on the dirt was demonstrated here last Saturday when he won the 50000 Golden Gate Handicap at 1 18 miles The four old son of Volcanic and Charlese hard rid ¬ den by Pete Moreno carried his 116pound impost over the nine furlongs in the excel ¬ lent time of 147 and won from Llangol len Farms Social Climber the favorite and top weight at 122 pounds by a head headThe The Elobee Farms Eddie Schmidt was third while in order behind him came the Triple K Stables Barbarian the Golden Gate Stables Tall Chief II Wood De Benedetti and Roberts Holandes II and Joe Hernandez Sueco SuecoSomewhat Somewhat overlooked in the wagering by the crowd of 16192 Ekaba who was sad ¬ dled by Farrell Jones paid his supporters 2180 for 200 and his net share of the purse was 25500 25500Barbarian Barbarian went Out to make the pace and swinging around the clubhouse turn opened a lead of two lengths with Ekaba racing along in closest pursuit and under a snug hold At the half mile pole the Triple K colt was three lengths in advance of Ekaba who still had not been called upon for his bid bidOn On the second turn however Moreno gave the Agoura colorbearer his head and as they reached the stretch turn Barbari ¬ ans advantage was cut to a half length A little farther along Barbarian began to weaken and Ekaba took command holding his advantage the rest of the way wayEkabas Ekabas victory however was no easy one Social Climber who now has been second in each pf his only four engage ¬ ments this meeting was well placed from the outset of the Golden Gate Handicap and when he was set down entering the stretch he responded gamely A furlong out he was within a half length of the ultimate winner and Moreno had to put up a pow ¬ erful ride to protect his advantage to the
