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— ♦ ► Willow Relic Gets Verdict Over Verdi Favorite Length, One-Half Behind in Framingham Purse At Suffolk; Triple for Grimm By FRED GALIANI SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 5. — In a stretch-long duel, Marvin Methvins Willow Relic, an outsider, got the better of B. A. Darios favored Verdi to take the featured Framingham Purse this afternoon by a length and a half. It was the second straight day that a Dario horse was made the choice in the feature event, but failed to get the job done after leading most of the way. Three and a half lengths back in third place was Phil Schwartz Battle Chant, the medium of some late wagering. Early Van Hook rode Willow Relic, who returned a handsome 5.20 after getting the six furlongs in 1:12%. The track was fast and a crowd of 10,026 attended in sunny but cool weather. Willow Relic, a light chestnut son of War Relic — Polly, by Heliopolis, won his third race in seven starts this year with victories over his sophomore rivals. In all of his starts this year, he has not failed to bring back a check for his owner under trainer Phil Utmans care. He has two thirds, a fourth and a fifth to his credit thus far, but fifth money is paid out in New England. Verdi Leads the Way Verdi went to the front at the start of ; the Framingham, while Grey Beau was virtually eliminated when he stumbled. He I got away last and ran that way throughout I the entire heat. J Verdi managed to get a length lead down the backstretch, with a trio closely locked i I behind him. They were Roman Image, Wil-low I Relic and Valgay. Willow Relic was on I J the outside of this trio and when he made his rush, Valgay and Roman Image had to take up in the ensuing tight jam. With them out of the way. Willow Relic went after Verdi and midway of the stretch had assumed command. Van Hook had to ride his best to keep the ultimate j winner from lugging over on Verdi, who was down on the rail. Despite his tendency to bear in. Willow Relic drew clear of the favorite to register an open triumph. Battle Chant closed strongly to be third, but never in any position to threaten either of the first two. Roman Image, after her mishap, made another good try at the head of the stretch, but by then had shot her bolt. She finished fourth in the field of eight. Phil Grimm, leading rider at the session, was the star of the afternoon with three winners. He won the opener on Sioux Brave, the fourth on Prince Bel Beau and was awarded the fifth when Sunny R. was disqualified for fouling Panther Gap. Sioux Brave and Tuck Me In, a longshot, returned a 34 Daily Double.
