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" lUTin i mwm o mo 1U 2 jpllpllr I "I On the Ttot By MORRIE KURLANSKY Illinois Breeders Pace Is Split 3v Twenty Youngsters to See Action - Meadow Ballad Faces Stern Test i ~ MAYWOOD PARK, Maywood. 111., April , 30. — Excellent sport is in prospect on Fri- day nisht when no less than 20 of the most promising younger pacers will see action In two divisions of the , ,000 Illinois Breeders Pace, an early -closer I for 18-class campaign- I ers. The first section I is headed by Ralph H. I Kroenings potential I champion filly, Mead- I ow Ballad, while the I excellent Jenuine Han- I over, owned by John and Catherine Lane of Flint, Mich., looms as the most chancy _ _i candidate of the second group. Meadow Ballad, at present regarded one of the na- Q tions leading three-year-old pacing fillies, will face the sternest test of her budding career that began less than two months ago at Orlando, Fla. Jenuine Hanover, a four-year-old colt by Sampson Hanover, , gained recognition as one of the top pacers in his age group when he set a track record of 2:02% at the Florida half-miler of Ponce De Leon on April 10 in his seasonal debut. The luck of the draw favors Meadow Ballad, who actually wouldnt need such an assist, in that the brilliant Adios daughter will start from the rail position in the first division. Unraced as a two-year-old, Meadow Ballad captured two matinee races at Orlando to make her official debut in the Maywood Park Inaugural Pace, won by Gunfighter over a muddy track. The Adios daughter raced well enough in that event to finish fourth and would have been closer but for a break in the slippery going. From then on, there was no denying the superiority of the bay filly, who annexed her next four starts in succession, displaying speed, stamina and courage. In her last outing a week ago. Meadow Ballad defeated a good field of younger pacers in 2:06, best time for one of her age at this meeting. Though Meadow Ballad doubtless will be a heavily backed post favorite, she will have to go faster than 2:06 to score her fifth consecutive victory. According to trainer-driver Dick Williams, who likes to think that the filly is the best member of his powerful stable, the Adibs daughter needs only a fast track and a little bit warmer weather, both of which are expected to-nightrto prove that she is ready. to equal or possibly better Golden Miss meeting record of 2:04%. There is a great probability that Meadow Ballad, or whoever of her nine rivals able to beat her, will beat the older mares fast mark. Cleopatra Hanover, a four-year-old Knight Dream filly, for one, seems to be quite capable of halting Meadow Ballads victory skein. Last season, the Virginia-owned filly showed extreme speed over the Vernon Downs three-quarter mile track while in three outings. Cleopatra Hanover acquitted herself honorably against the like of W. E. Cash, Victory Dinamic, Buomtwn, Divonbay and other fast male sidewheelers. Others in the first division to have a chance to upset these two top fillies are H. K. Footes Ozark Man and Roy Griebels Lees Thoughts, a winner of both his 1959 starts and who might be much better than his record of 2:084/s indicates. Even if giving, due credit to Jenuine Hanovers classy 2:02% Ponce De Leon mile, the second division looms as a wide-open contest, as only two of the 10 entrants, Rufuss Wildwood and Poplar Citation, can be regarded as distinct outsiders. Jenuine Hanover, a top two-year-old two years ago when racing in K. D. Owens powerful Grand Circuit stable, was sidelined for most of the 58 season when he was unable to win any of his six races. Acquired at the Tattersall fall sales by his present owners, under the tutelage of veteran trainer George Carney, he regained his excellent juvenile form, as testified by his fine Florida showing. He will be driven by Red Ross, who in past seasons has scored many important victories at Chicago area harness tracks, but campaigned in the East the last two years. Dividing the 10-horse field into three groups, Jenuine Hanover, Divonbay and Cheri Adios will emerge as the. top contenders. C. M. Saunders headstrong Goose Bay colt, though beaten in his Maywood Park debut last week by the much improved Lieut. Mike, in five starts this year was never worse than second, winning two races at Santa Anita. Ralph H. Kroenings Adios filly, Cheri Adios, recently showed a top effort here when she lost a nose decision to Boomtown. In her latest start a week ago, the filly finished fourth; Lieut. Mike, Divonbay and Jake Rodney coming from last place to gain more than seven lengths in the final quarter. If she races more willingly and alertly tonight, Divonbay and Jenuine Hanover certainly will have to be at their very best. The second group consists of Brietta Hanover, Bonnie Time, Scotch Treat, Neoga Jester and Kitty Cash, all of whom have some fine races over this oval to their credit, but each of this quintet needs the best racing luck if any of them is to beat the big three in this division. A victory by either Rufuss Wildwood or Poplar Citation would be in the nature of a major upset even if not endangering Dick Castles record odds of 240 to 1.
