War Signals Captures Puritan Handicap at Suffolk in Upset: Two Claims of Fouls Studied By Stewards; Greek Star Is Second; Winner Returns 6, Daily Racing Form, 1959-05-04

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% -■ JOCKEY JACK LEONARD— Piloted Mrs. Ada L. Rices Talent Show and Cedar Brook to victory yesterday at Garden State Park. ♦ War Signals Captures Puritan Handicap at Suffolk in Upset Two Claims of Fouls Studied* By Stewards; Greek Star Is Second; Winner Returns 6 By FRED GALIANI SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 2. — After entertaining two distinct claims of foul the stewards allowed the original finish to stand and the winner of the Puritan Handicap today was Bill Resseguets War Signals, second longest shot in the field of 11. War signals, who ran for a ,000 claiming tag in New Orleans this winter, upset all calculations by racing to a half length victory over Sidney Bartons Greek Star. The two of them were in a bumping match through the stretch, but the plea of Jockey William Skuse against Henry Wajda, on the winner was disallowed. Two and a half lengths back in third place was Peter Fullers Goulash, the favorite, who came from dead last with a belated but too late drive. Mclver Prickett and Sons Motor Line finished fourth. The latter was the second horse to be involved in a claim. Phil Grimm, who rode OKeegan, the one time pacemaker, charged that Motor Line came out on him through the stretch. After deliberation and viewing the films of both incidents, the cases were dismissed. For the few in the throng of 22,411 who backed War Signals they were jubilantly enricred with a 6 mutuel. The weather was truly Springlike, with sunny weather prevailing for most of the day. But by the time the feature was run, it was overcast. The track, which was heavy, from the rains of the past week, had turned to slow under the sun and winds by the time the Puritan was run. War Signals, who had never won any other race but a claimer, covered the mile an a sixteenth in 1:47%. Fourth Victory This Year War Signals, a four-year old chestnut son of Flushing II-Eli-Mr, carried 109 pounds, three of which was overweight, to the most startling victory of his career. As a two-year-old he was a hard working sort, going to the post no less than 31 times, winning four and placing on seven occasions. This year his record stands at four winners in eight tries, with a second and | two third. The Puritan was worth ,449 to Resseguet, who also owns the chestnut horse. War Signals had been steady at New Orleans, but running in claimers and optional affairs. Today he took on sturdier opposition and though getting a pull in weights, outran them all. OKeegan finally got the lead in the Puritan after the field had made their way to the first turn, where there was a general bunching up as they made the arc. From this pack OKeegan went to the front, with i Admirals Joy second and Necromancer third. Little Hermit was well up, while War Signals was in the ruck and Goulash absolutely last. Greek Star made his move to the leader on the far turn, ranging up on the outside, while Motor Line, hugging the rail also lodged his bid. OKeegan held on to his lead making the bend, with Motor Line and Greek Star now really driving for all they had. While Motor Line came out to hit OKeegan, who was tiring, Greek Star assumed complete command. But on the outside with a rush came the lightly regarded Wax-Signals. Through the homelane Wajda pushed War Signals, who passed Greek Star, but then appeared to pull himself up, giving Greek Star another chance at him. But War Signals got down to business again and drew off by a half length from his foe* While they were battling it out. Goulash came with his pattened rush to overpower the rest of the field and get third money. Motor Line, turning in a good effort, finished fourth.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1959050401/drf1959050401_13_4
Local Identifier: drf1959050401_13_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800