view raw text
Village Idiot Driving Jamaica Victor Conquers Saferris In Closing Stride Pair Cross Finish Marker Nose Apart as Cannon Fire Runs Third in Utopia Cap By BOB HORWOOD JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., May 8.— Coming again with a last desperate rush after appearing beaten, Alfred G. Vanderbilts Village Idiot nosed out Two Brooks Farms Saferris at the finish of todays featured Utopia Handicap. Brandywine Stables Cannon Fire was almost three lengths farther back at the end" of the 1 1-16 miles, while Fred J. Thompsons Sabotage was two and a half lengths out of the money. Manuel Ycaza rode Village Idiot, who paid .90 after getting the distance in 1:44% over a fast, but deep and tiring, track. A crowd of 20,119 turned out in pleasant spring weather. Village Idiot is a gelded four-year-old son of County Delight — Novice, by Pilate, who was scoring his third victory in eight starts this year. First Volcanite, then Greek Chief outran Village Idiot in the opening quarter of the handicap, but Ycaza roused the favorite a bit in the run down the backstretch and quickly took a half length lead. Greek Chief continued in second place in the run down the far side and around the turns to the quarter pole, followed by Cannon Fire and Saferris. Turning for home", Village Idiot drew clear as Greek Chief stopped abruptly, ultimately finishing seventh in the field of eight, while Cannon Fire bore out badly under left handed whipping. At the same time, Saferris began to move up rapidly between horses. Saferris Closes Fast Village Idiot was two lengths in the van at the furlong pole, but Saferris closed with a rush and shoved his head in front at the sixteenth pole. Village Idiot refused to quit, however, and came on again under Ycazas whip to draw level with one stride to go. In that last desperate jump, Village Idiot shoved his nose in front. Cannon Fire, who continued to go wide through the stretch, was not menaced for third honors by the belated rush of Sabotage. .Jeffs Uh Oh, who has run his best races on. the rail, finished in fifth place on the extreme outside, followed by Social Lad, the weary Greek Chief and Volcanite, who dropped back soon after the start. Howell E. Jacksons Calais Dover, who made her seasonal debut in the West Acres Purse, was the 67th odds-on choice of the meeting and the 30th to go down to defeat, the second such instance of misplaced confidence today. Jules G. Krams Starlet Miss, who was in fourth place at the eighth pole, surged up on the outside to turn back Calais Dover by a length under Albino Val-enzuela. Mrs. Jan Burkes Aristream was a length and one-half farther back and almost a length before Mrs. Frank Doughertys Punta Gorda. Starlet Miss paid 6.90 and required 1:13% for the 6 furlongs. This was to have been a prep for Saturdays Acorn Stakes for Calais Dover, but she must now be considered a doubtful prospect for that mile stake.