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* W* w New England By Fred Galiani Greek Star Gives Owner His First Stakes Win Acquired by Sidney M. Barton for 5,000 Roan Colt Decidedly Best in Turf Handicap SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 11.— When Greek Star cakewalked through the stretch to win Saturdays Suffolk Downs Turf Handicap, it marked a couple of big firsts for his owner, Sidney M. Barton, the New York real estate dealer. Barton, who has been in racing for a decade, was experiencing the thrill of having his first stakes winner. In addition, Greek Star was winning the first race in the Barton colors since being purchased by the New Yorker for 5,000. The roan four-year-old has yet to win himself out, but he now gives evidence of getting around to that little matter. A week prior to the Suffolk Turf Handicap, Greek Star finished second to longshot War Signals in the Puritan Cap, a race which he appeared to have won through the stretch, until War Signals came along with his surprising, rush. For his first stakes triumph, Greek Star was a most convincing winner. Off his Puritan Handicap race he was made the second choice to M. C. MacMil-len Jr.s Prince Willy. The latter was the medium of the most play through the tote, even though he had not won a race in two years. His position of eminence came about through the calibre of horses he has been meeting, but he was unable to justify that role. A dozen started in the Turf Handicap, Roxbury Farms OKeegan setting the early pace. Jockey Bill Skues, on Greek Star, placed his mount well, immediately behind the leader. OKeegan was allowed to draw off to almost a five-length lead down the backstretch, but Skuse bided his time on Greek Star. When he got to the far turn Greek Star was allowed to run. In a flash he had passed OKeegan, who was now beginning to tire, and swept into the leadr Through the final run over the grass, the roan colt increased his margin under a hand ride and was a wide open four lengths to the good. Struggle for Place Honors There was nothing ready to contest his superiority Saturday. Place honors resolved into a struggle between Hept Stables Dark Tale, a 17 to 1 shot, and L. J. Rittiners Marlow Road, even less regarded at a price of 32 to 1. Both of these two were in a contends ing position, with Dark Tale just behind Greek Star. He rallied on the turn with the ultimate winner, but was not capable of matching strides with the Barton horse and had to be content with second money? Prince Willy raced on the outside of horses down the back-stretch and had to go the overland on the turn. He made his bid on the bend, but it lacked any punch and he finally wound up fifth. War Signals, who became a stakes winner when he surprised in the Puritan on an "off" track the week before, was making his first essay over the turf course. He gave indications of having a distinct aversion to it, and wound up a distant trailer. It was a case of lightning definitely not striking twice. Barton was amazingly calm after the race, for one who just saw his silks flown to victory in an initial stakes triumph. But his first two attempts on a New England track were profitable indeed. There are another set of stakes to be decided during the last part of this meeting, and Greek Star is certain to be made eligible for a couple of them when nominations close on June 1. Greek Star has shown a liking for both of the Suffolk Downs strips and may just as well be given further chances to demonstrate that liking. But one thing is certain, the roan by Heather Broom — Silver Queen, who was bred by J. J. Colando at Point-a-View Stud in Pennsylvania, will not be getting in light any more. In his Suffolk Turf victory he carried a mere 112 pounds, an impost that will be upped in succeeding stakes. But in light or not, Saturday he was by far the best horse in the race. Pappas Entry Box Ultimatum Last week entries for all races closed promptly at 10:30. This was on the heels of a couple of extremely late closings, due to a run of "off" tracks for a week. This aversion to the entry-box elicited a strongly worded memorandum to owners and trainers from Judge John C. Pappas. In no uncertain terms, he warned that horsemen who_ were not co-operating would be asked to vacate their stalls on the grounds. In addition he set a 10:30 deadline for closing of entries. So far it has worked perfectly, but whether the Judges stern warning or a run of beautiful weather is .the main cause is a subject of debate. At any rate, entries are accommodatingly closed early. What a change in the weather might do, is being watched with more than passing interest.
