New Jersey: Rancocas Running Points Up Wheatley Fillies Bases Full and Brave Pilot Dominate Stakes Tony DeSpirito Planning, Daily Racing Form, 1959-05-15

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NEW JERSEY . ...... ; . .. . y Wil,iam c phil,iPs GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J., May 14. From the result of the sixth running of the Rancocas Stake here on Wednesday it appears that Mrs. Henry Carnegie Phipps Wheatley Stable and the elder statesman of the trainers, Jim Fitzsimmons, have two splendid fillies. It could not happen to nicer people. There was no question but what both Bases Full and Brave Pilot completely outclassed their 11 rivals in the Rancocas. There is some question as to which of the Wheatley fillies may ultimately prove the best. Bases Full won by a convincing two lengths over Brave Pilot, but the winner was able to save ground in her forward position while Brave Pilot had to lose lengths circling rivals on the turn. For a moment in the stretch it appeared Brave Pilot might overtake her fleeting partner, but only for a moment, and she was doing well to maintain her ground in relation to the winner in the finaf yards. John Choquette, who rode the second lass, reported after the race his instructions were to wait until Bases Full was able to take command, and then "catch her if I could." According to him, "She tried, but conuldnt," and, though he thought her outside post might have hurt her chances, he was not sure she was good enough. As for Sam Boulmetis, who handled Bases Full, he reported his instructions were to get to the front when he could and "let her run her own race." He also commented that- "She certainly liked the track today." Prima facie evidence of the race suggests Bases Full as the best. She is qualified by her breeding. Ambiorix, although never reaching his potential as a sire in this country, has begotten several consistent Rancocas Running Points Up Wheatley Fillies Bases Full and Brave Pilot Dominate Stakes Tony DeSpirito Planning Another Comeback performers. The versatility of his get indicates a strong influence of the dam, and Bases Full is out of Striking, a stakes winner and full member to one of the most famous of thoroughbred families in recent years. They include Busher, Mr. Busher and The Battler; all sons and daughters of War Admiral Baby League, by Bubbling Over. The Wheatley duo outclassed their opposition in the Rancocas as much by physical conformation and appearance in the paddock as they did during the running and there is a probability that there was not much real quality behind them. Of those in the rear, the best performances were turned, in by thethird and fourth fillies. Irvin Davids Chalvedele and Mrs. Burdette S. Wright Jr.s Improve both overcame the disadvantage of a slow beginning. Chalvedele, by First Fiddle Connies Girl, outfinished Improve by a neck but luckily saved all possible ground while Improve was taken to the outside and followed the path blazed by Brave Pilot. The latter led them by four and one-half lengths, while herself two lengths behind Bases Full. The Wheatley pair, incidentally, - have both started four times and each has won twice. Conditions for the race were hardly ideal. The crowd of 18,339 had alternately fevered and chilled in the changing temperatures of the afternoon dampness, and increasingly steady rain turned the course into a watery slop for the stake. Bases Full ran the 5 furlongs in 1:01 Ys, which paled in comparison with the :59 registered, by Mrs. Waiter M. Jeffords homebred Ypres just four races earlier. The latter, making the first start of her career, won with impressive ease and probably is superior to anything beaten by the Wheatley entry in the stake. The parallel drawn on a time basis is untrue, however, for her performance was turned in when the track was just beginning to dampen and pack together, and for that and the next two races it was the most conducive to fast times than it has been during the meeting. It was a day for the fillies. Mrs. Elizabeth duPonts Tempted, positively scintillating with high spirits and health, winning the fifth race in 1:11 before the track became soaked and covered with water. Her performance had to be seen to be appreciated, but notice can be taken that if she runs all of her races with equal exuberance, championship will be within her reach. Tony DeSpirito is planning another comeback. He arrived from New England at the beginning of the meeting and has been galloping horses in the morning for Jack Carrara, who first launched him on his career in 1950. Tony was leading rider of the nation in 1952 with 390 winners, an all-time record until it was topped by William Shoemaker the following year, and he was recognized as one of the premier reinsmen when a series of falls and injuries periodically interrupted his career. They started calling him "Desperate" DeSpirito when he defied advice from physicians that any new injuries could easily prove fatal, but Tony has often repeated that he would rather ride than live and he means it. A spine injury was aggravated when he briefly atempted his last comeback a year ago. DeSpirito is exercising strenuously in order to test the strength of his spine before accepting any mounts, but it is a good bet that he will soon be under silks again and a top rider. As the country boy says : They dont hardly make that kind no more.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1959051501/drf1959051501_6_1
Local Identifier: drf1959051501_6_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800