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Fort Bull Lowers Sportsmans Mark Sizzles One-Half Mile in :454/5 to Defeat Miss Tulsa; Latter Drifts Out in Drive By TEDDY COX SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., May 1. — Marion H. VanBergs Fort Bull gave a fine demonstration of blistering speed when he smashed the track record for a half mile before a crowd of 8,698 here this warm sunny afternoon. The trim gelding stepped over the abbreviated distance in :45% to eclipse the recent mark established by Mrs. Grace Kosibas Abdam. A zip in back of the leader in one of the tightest finishes of the meeting came Everett Lowrances Miss Tulsa, who probably would have been returned the victress had it not been for drifting out somewhat through the torrid stretch drive. Four lengths farther away came Ray Danners Hay Hook, while Decapitate, owned by L Hull, E. Burr and R. J. Hulse, was third. Fort Bull was ridden by Jack Fieselman during his speedy journey. Because of his fine recent form he was made a heavy favorite, paying .60. VanBerg, the Columbus, Nebr., turfman whose horses have been showing fine form of late, recently purchased Fort Bull from Rudy Tryon. He is a two-year-old son of Eternal Bull-Dream Comfort, by Gray Dream and was running for a claiming tag of ,500. Eleven Starters Eleven started in the dash and Fort Bull was hustled hard to gain the uppn hand as they moved down the backstretch, with Miss Tulsa second and Hay Hook, third. Once the field made the far turn, it was evident that it would resolve into a two-horse race. Fort Bull continued on with grand speed, but Howard Craig, on Miss Tulsa, pressed the issue as the filly edged closer and closer. Halfway through the stretch, however, she temporarily lost momentum when she ducked out somewhat and this short interval may have cost her the race, for she came on strongly in the last few strides and just failed to get up. The sport was offered under perfect conditions, for a bright sun beamed down on i the course and a soft wind proved quite refreshing. It was by far the finest day of the current meeting. Wayne Chambers put the form players in a good early mood when he booted A. Nissen and K. Brocks Ornum to victory in the opener. The stallion engaged V. and H. Stables Repowder in the same type of battle that marked Fort Bulls triumph, and they flashed under the wire almost on even terms. Ornum raced the 6 1-2 furlongs in 1:19% and paid .40. Tony Sko-ronski brought Marilu Lombardos Likewise from behind to account for the second to complete a Daily Double of 8.40. Likewise, who returned .20 in the straight mutuels, did not reach the lead until late in the stretch, but her strong rush carried her to a length and a half triumph.
