Evening star., 1939-03-26
Driving Finish Made
By Wiltshire Entry
Defeats Ath|one
Clifton's Gem Awarded
Bowl; Black Sweep Is
MiddIeweieht Victor
By ROBERT HENRY,
Star Stan Correspondent.


the 200-pound heavyweight race that
featured the Middleburg Hunt point
to-point program near here today
Athlone. owned and ridden by T.
Beatty Brown of New York, finished
two lengths behind in second place
with Stormy Weather, owned and
ridden by Paul Mellon of Pittsburgh
ana Middleburg, third and last, some
20 lengths away. The time was 1880
The lightweight race went to Cliff
tons Gem, owned by Duncan Read
of New York and ridden by Dion
Kerr, jr., of Washington. Another
Wiltshire entry scored when Black
Sweep, ridden by Jack Skinner OF
Middleburg. got close desision over
another Middleburg couple, Mary
Barry, owned and ridden by Cromp-
ton Smith.
Races Attract 5000.
The races attracted close to 5000
Virginia, Washington and Maryland
spectators, who took advantage OF
perfect weather and a promise OF
closely contested sport. Each race
was over 22-jump course of about
2l4 miles, which was negotiated twice
to complete.
The heavyweight race found three
OF the original starters scratching
at the last moment, including the
favorite, Webb's giant Easy Mark
which is being pointed for the Mary
land Hunt Cup next month.
The race was odd in that none of
the starters was in a pace-setting
mood. Stormy Weather was sent to
the front over the first fence and
then taken back to force Kingsland
to 60 the front. Athlone, the other
starter, was content to stay between
the two. Finally, with about a mile
to go Mellon loosened up on Stormy
Weather and appeared to have the
race won going down the hill to the
last fence.
Third in Row for Webb.
However, Webb started to 60 to
work and quickly closed the gap.
Brown, on Athlone, also made a
strong bid and drew to even terms.
Through the stretch the riders sat
down to ride, but with about 200
yards to go Stormy Weather gave
away and fell back, leaving the other
two to fight 1t out. Kinglsand proved
the stronger in the drive and with
the crowd lending plenty of en-
couragement Webb's mount slowly
pulled away to victory. 1t was the
third straight triumph for the local
man, his others coming at Piedmont
two weeks ago and at Warrenton
last week.
The closest race of the day, the
lightweight, proved a hot fight.
Eight went to the post, with CGfton's S
Gem getting away on top, followed
by Tattle Tale, ridden by Mary
Rumsey, and Sumairus, ridden by
Mrs. June Brainard. The rest were
scattered behind, with Mildred
Gaines on The Greek farthest away.
Kerr's Ride Decisive.
Young Kerr. who established him.
self as one of the best gentleman
riders in the land last year, then
took Clifton's Gem back off the pace
and was in third place as the field
swept past the stands the second
time. Tattle Tale had moved to
the front and was going strong. My
Lad, with Owner William Hurlbut in
the saddle, took tumble at the
18th fence and Crompton Smith on
Major pulled up when his mount
went lame.
AS the field dashed down the hill
Tor the last fence the winner and
Samairus were on even terms, about
10 lengths in front of the rest. Both
took the obstacle together and then
set sail for home. Kerr, working
like an expert, appeared to outride
Mrs. Brainard in the closing strides
and managed to earn a nose de-
cision. Bah's View, ridden by Lewis
Murdoch, finished third, about IS
lengths back. The time was 49, As,
the fastest of the day.
Middleweight Race Thrills.
The middleWeight race, ITS pounds,
was almost as close as the first, only
q half length separating Black
Sweep and Mary Barry. Young
NOVEL; Ward on his gray horse Royal
Tent went out to set the pace for
the other four, including Harry
Semmes, M. F. H. of the Potomac
Hunt, on Charm.
Ward threatened to make 1t a
runaway by stealing a 10-length
lead before the race was half run,
but after slowly coming back to the
rest he gradually dropped back to
third. In the meantime the winner
and Mary Barry, with Smith up,
began to increase their tempo and
were running fastest of all as they
went to the last jump. Both went
over clear, but Ward hit the dirt
hard when his tired horse hit the
top Of stone wall and went down.
Both horse and rider escaped injury.
The run home proved a thriller,
with Smith riding for all he was
worth, while Skinner, seeing his op-
ponent simply did not have it, just
sat still to maintain his short lead.
Suddenly Mary Barry got too close
for comfort and the winner had to
60 to work. Charm finished third,
far back. The time was 12:154l.
Clifton's Gem Scores.
After the races the first two horses
to finish in each race were judged
on confirmation, jumping ability,
manners, pace and style to decide
the winner of the Middleburg Bowl.
The victor proved to be Clifton s
Gem, a sizable gray son of Cog
Galois, which was making his debut
to point-to-point racing.
Summaries:
Lightweight race $50 pounds)-Wor
BY Clifton's Gem. owned by Duncan Reat
and ridden by Dion Kerr. jr.: second
Sumairus. owned by NOVEL; Ward ane
ridden BY Mrs. June Brainard; third
Bah's View. owned by John Riticor end
ridden BY Lewis Murdock. Major, My
Greek also ran. Time. 12:1-s.
Middleweight race 175 pounds)-Won
by Black sweep. owned by Turner
second. S Marry Barry. Barry owned and ridden
BY Crompton Smith; third, Charm. owned
and ridden by Harry Semmes, Munroe
and Royal Tent also ran. Time 12:15S
Heayyweight race 600 pounds,mWon ,;
and ridden by Gerry Webb: second Ath.
Ions. owned and ridden by. T. Beatty