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New England By Fred Galiani War Signals Surprise Winner of Puritan Resseguet Marks Runners First Stake Win Eleven Claims for Spy Boss, an Also Ran SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 4.— The Puritan Handicap run here Saturday afternoon produced the biggest upset in the stakes program thus far when Bill Resseguets lightly weighted and as equally lightly regarded War Signals came through with a stirring drive to win the mile and one-sixteenth feature. Under 109 pounds, three of which was overweight on jockey Henry Wajdas part, War Signals came from off the pace to overtake Greek Star in the stretch and go on to a half-length win. Though War Signals was posted at 27-to-l on the board, his scat tered backers in the crowd had anxious moments as the rider of Greek Star, Bill Skuse, lodged a claim of foul. Needless to say, there were more fans hoping the number of War Signals would come down, since Greek Star was the third choice. The stewards, however, did not see any justification of the foul and allowed the result to stand. War Signals, who had only won claiming and op-tionals before in his life, tried to pull himself up once he got to the lead and Wajda had to get into him again. There was veering on his part, which prompted the foul claim, though Greek Star was not unduly bothered. Two and one-half lengths behind this pair came Peter Fullers favored Goulash, who did not start to do any running until it was all over. As a matter of fact, Goulash, a half brother to Determine, but showing few flashes of any family resemblance when it comes to running, never gets started until the last part of a race. He had to come from dead last to save third money for the favorite players. To complicate matters further, there was a second claim of foul in the Puritan. OKeegan, ridden by Phil Grimm, finished sixth after setting the early pace. Grimm then lodged an allegation against Motor Line, who finished fourth. Motor Line, closing on the turn along the inside, came out and bothered OKeegan, who was tiring. Just who would have benefited by the claim is puzzling. In stakes, money is paid out only to fourth place, unlike the rest of the races in New England, which have a fifth money. If the foul were allowed, Marlow Road would have been advanced to fourth. At any rate, the stewards took no cognizance of this claim either. Keeneland Sales Yearling War Signals is a chestnut son of Flushing U. — El-Mar, who races for his trainer and has been a steady bread winner for the likeable Louisianan. Resseguet purchased War Signals out of the Keeneland fall yearling sales for ,800, which he has repaid ample fold. Last year, War Signals won 2,295 in 31 starts, which shows he is a hard-working and durable piece of racing machinery, and won four of those starts, with seven seconds. This year his record is more improved, winning four for eight and being out of the money only once. His bankroll so far is 2,709, which should be augmented considerably before the end of the year rolls around. Monday was bright and brilliantly sunny, for a pleasing change in the Northeast, and Resseguet was engaged in walking a horse after his morning chores. He was delighted, the natural reaction for a trainer after winning a stakes race. "I didnt expect to get the big money," he said, "but I had him in, hoping hed get a part. Hes been running so good this year and with that off track I had to take a chance. I knew they wouldnt run that mile and one-sixteenth any too fast." It was wise calculating, better than ,000 worth. This was the first stakes win for War Signals, who had captured ,000 claiming races as his previous best efforts. Itll be a while before hes back in the claiming brackets. This weeks feature is the about mile and one-sixteenth Turf Handicap and War Signals gets in that with 111 pounds. "I put him in all the stakes here," commented Resseguet. "He never ran over the grass before, but maybe Ill give him a chance." Why not, Bill? He never ran in a stake until last Saturday. Eleven Claims for Spy Boss Earlier in the day, it was amply demonstrated how horsemen in these parts are willing to claim anything from the outside. Charlie Reynolds, who brought up Greek Star, also saddled Spy Boss in a claiming affair. No less than 11 claims were put in for Spy Boss, an also-ran, incidentally. One claim was voided and in the shake of the remaining 10, Spy Boss went to J. S. Gurich. For years it has been axiomatic that if trainers in other parts of the country wanted to lose horses, all they had to do was send them to New England. . . . John Hommel of Long Island came up on the week end to see his Steamfitter perform in the second race, but unfortunately the horse did not generate any power and was out of the money. . . . Making his usual Saturday appearance was Joe Dever, the public relations man and successful author. Dever, whose latest book, "Three Priests," was a best seller, is negotiating with Hollywood .or the sale of the books rights to the motion pictures. Interested in buying it is an independent company, comprised of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. . . . Joe Sullivan Jr., the printing man, went out and bought two Shetland ponies for the kids. They probably can run faster than some of the stock around here.
