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1 Moon Cloud Scores In Suffolk Feature Betty Sechrest Colorbearer Defeats Favored The Crack Under Good McLaughlin Ride By FRED GALIANI SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 6. — Moon Cloud, claimed by Randy Sechrest at Laurel for ,500, not only is paying his way back rapidly, but may turn into one of the most profitable claims of the year. The four-year-old colt, who races second race in three starts for his new in the name of Betty Sechrest, won his owner and today defeated some of the best allowance performers on the New Purse. England circuit in the featured Haverhill Splendidly ridden by Dick McLaughlin, who. incidentally, comes from the town for which the race was named. Moon Cloud overtook the favored Bayard Tuckermans The Crack at the head of the stretch, then lengths. The Crack managed to withstand outgamed the big chestnut to win by three the late rush of Phil Schwartzs Grinstead by a neck, while Phil Utmans Barroco finished fourth. The Crack has been the most unpredictable horse in racing since he first started his career in 1956. The very first time he went to the post, he was a convincing winner, but was disqualified for veering and interference. And so it has been all through his career. This winter, he was gelded, but apparently it hasnt stopped his histrionics. Grimm, rider of Barroco, claimed foul against the Crack for interference the gate, I but it was disallowed. Dismiss Grimms Protest After the stewards had dismissed Grimms charge, a pay-off of 7.40 was I returned on Moon Cloud, who covered the : six furlongs in 1:11ft over the fast track. The weather continued on the story book spring, style and an attendance of 11,521 was on hand for the beautiful afternoon. The victor, a chestnut son of Nimbus — Fair Clarissa, was winning his third race | in 10 starts this year. But since he was , claimed by the Sechrests, he has come up with two winning checks and a fourth. Both previous races were at Laurel, to-. day being his debut over the Suffolk Downs strip. McLaughlin and Joe Spinale split riding i honors through the feature, both of them winning two races. McLaughlins previous j victorious mount was the longshot Anmark, while the elder of the riding Spinales won on Zealot and Harwood Miss. Whatever interference The Crack caused at the start was not discernible from the press box and the Tuckerman chestnut I went right to the lead. It was not a big one, however, as Happy Mack and Moon Cloud were right with him. The three of them slugged it out until the middle of the turn, where Happy Mack dropped out of it, leaving the remaining pair to settle the decision. The Crack, under a drive by Ncrman Mercier, held sway along the rail until the j head of the stretch, but Moon Cloud had him measured. Through the stretch, the blue sliks of Sechrest forged to the front i and were drawing away through the final sixteenth. The Crack continued on gamely in his first start since last November and just managed to neck out Grinstead. ; The latter closed well through the stretch in his second race of the season, while Barroco came from next to last place to be fourth. Completing the field were Coloneast, Double Bid. Happy Mack and Eamohe.
