Churchill Handicap to Fleeting Star; Better Self Accounts for Gallant Fox: Dixiana Colt Charges Home Before Favored OL Skipper, Daily Racing Form, 1950-05-01

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► . Churchill Churchill Handicap Handicap to to Fleeting Fleeting Star; Star; Better Better Self Self Accounts Accounts For For Gallant Gallant Fox Fox Dixiana Colt Charges Home Before Favored Olf Skipper Crowd of 18,255 Present at Downs; Brooks Gives Victor Rousing Ride in Headliner By DON FAIR CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., April 29.— Dixianas Fleeting Star, a colt who has been retarded by a series of ailments since his juvenile campaign, flashed what seemed to be the finest performance of his spotty career as he drove to victory in the 13th running of the 0,000 added Churchill Downs Handicap before a goodly gathering of 18,255 here this afternoon. The four-year-old son of Count Fleet— Far Star, by North Star m., gained his fine score at the expense of John Marschs or Skipper, the favorite in the field of 11. Third in the dash of seven furlongs was Perne L. Grissoms Sun Herod, while William H. Veenemans Irish Sun was fourth. One of the disappointments of the- test was the effort shown by Ky. Colonel, who last season established a worlds record for the same distance as the handicap today. The colt obviously was in need of hard racing, for in his initial start of the year he flashed good early speed but tired badly and finished tenth. Fleeting Star was ridden by Steve Brooks, former Dixana rider who now does the bulk of the work for the Calumet Farm. When that stables Vigorous was declared from the stake, trainer Jack Hodgins availed himself to the hard-riding»McCook, Neb., veteran and they functioned perfectly during the running. The track was termed as "good," even though the winner reeled off the distance in 1:24, only four-fifths of a second away from the course standard. He carried 117 pounds for his particularly impressive performance. Mary Fisher Accepts Trophy As the "Derby meeting" of this old plant swung into action, the elements found much to be desired. Nearing the noon hour there was a downpour of rain and it fell intermittently throughout the day, with patrons scurrying to cover and reappearing accordingly. Bill Corum, who presently handles the helm at the course since being named the late Col. Matt J. Winns successor, was in the winners circle after the handicap and presented a trophy to Miss Mary T. Fisher, daughter of Charles T. Fisher, owner of the Dixiana stable. The stakes grossed 2,175, of which ,550 went to the vic- Starter Ruby White pressed the button at the opportune time and the field came away as a team, but Halt immediately dropped out of contention while Ol Skipper and King Bay stepped out to make a fast pace. There was little to choose between them down the backstretch and around the turn, but Brooks had Fleeting Star nicely placed in third position and seemed quite content to allow the top ones to kill themselves off. King Bay was the first to crack, that coming at the head of the stretch, where Sun Herod and Irish Sun moved briskly to loom menacingly. However, these bids abruptly fell short of their goals and Fleeting Star moved around, engaged the choice, and outgamed him in the drive by a half length. After form players enjoyed themselves thoroughly during the first four races on the program, they suffered a staggering blow in the Stone Street Purse that pre- Coniinued on Page Three ROBERT J. KLEBERG — Owner of Middleground who arrived in Louisville for his Derby engagement, and of Better Self who scored a surprise victory in Saturdays Gallant Fox Handicap at the Jamaica oval. Fleeting Star Triumphs In Churchill Handicap Defeats Favored 01 Skipper and Nine Others Before 18,255 Fans Continued from Page One ceded the feature. Calumet Farms A Lark was backed into 2 to 5 favoritism on- the strength of a pair of victories in that many starts. The three-year-old gelded son of Pensive — Morning Lark, by Blue Larkspur, however, was found wanting in the drive and bowed by one and three-quarters lengths to Bernice Irvins Diamond Lane, a filly who had competed in her previous winning effort with a claiming tag of ,000. Steve Brooks, who flew in here last night from California, was astride the Calumet colorbearer and for the best part of the journey appeared to be everything his mounts odds indicated. A Lark was last out of the gate, but in less than an eighth of a mile was on the lead and going nicely under a steadying hold. Johnny Adams, who was astride the Irvin filly, did not become excited while the favorite was fashioning the brisk pace, but worked his way forwardly at an even gait and in the stretch steered to the outside where Diamond Lane reached serious contention, drew abreast of A Lark and was pulling away at the line. The fact that A Lark was not nominated for the Kentucky Derby was an inkling that he was not rated as a top sawyer by trainer Ben Jones. Third in the Stone Street was Lottie Wolf Stables Bennington. The six furlongs dash was run in 1:12%.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1950050101/drf1950050101_1_4
Local Identifier: drf1950050101_1_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800