Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-07-20
Natchez Beaten
ByHead;AssauIt
Finishes Third
South American Pair
Far Back; Victor Runs
Earnings to S67S.370
By Froneis E. Stonn
Stor staff CORRESPONDENT

Tough, durable stymie, running
perhaps the greatest race Of his
career on his 106th outing. charged
over sloppy gruelling mile and
Ave furlongs here today to win the
first International Gold Cup, beat
down pair of highly -touted South
challengers and humble
his fellow Texan and money-win-.
ming rival. Assault, before a hoarse-
throated throng Of 46,l83.
Mrs. Ethel D. Jacobs Swear old
once claimed for ST.
500, was little short of magnificent
as he won his 18th race and boosted
his record earnings to $678,370.
Fifth in field of seven until he
had raced a mile and a quarter,
Stymie made his bid at the top Of
the stretch and barely nipped the
surprising Natchez at the wire.
Assault, backed down to l to 2,
finished third, a fat four lengths
behind the Splinter, Natchez, and
Is lengths ahead of the 3-year old
king, Phalanx. Then came En-
deavour I'd. the gigantic Argentine
Richard N Ryan's Talon,
Argentine horse who has
been racing In this country for
year, and Ensueno, the pride of
Brazil.
Regains Earnings Lead.
Stymie, who went postward as
third choice in the betting at to /
on the tote" board, brought his
owner $4,000 and passed Assault
as the biggest money winner in rae
ing. Before the race, Assault held
the lead in earnings with $6l3,370.
The Stymie- Assault battle has been
a see-saw affair in which the COIN
winning lead has changed four
times in the last six weeks.
Stymie. chestnut formerly owned
by the King Ranch which races
Assault, was a popular winner. He
was popular with the crowd even
before the race. AS the seven
horses paraded on the track they
were introduced over the public adj
dress system, much in the manner
of professional football players. As
sault received a great cheer and
there was strong vocal support for
Phalanx, Endeavour I'd and Ensue-
no, but Stymie drew the biggest
ovation.
The South American horses, I'M
familiar with starting gates, were
permitted to start outside the sawed
off gate used by the North American
racers. The start was good and
Mrs. w. M. Jeffords' Natchez got
off first, closely followed by Ensueno,
who was ridden by Chilean-born
Francisco Irigoyen. The tall En-
deavour I'd was third and running
easily.
Stymie Overhauls Natchez.
That Natchez set the pace was no
surprise. The son of Jamestown
Creole Maid was rated as a Splinter
and most of the crowd expected him
to retire after a mile. But Natchez.
obviously expertly trained and well
ridden by Ted Atkinson, never quit.
Only Stymie and his spectacular
finish prevented Natchez from scor-
ing one Of the great upsets in mod
ern turf history.
At the mile post, Natchez was
leading, followed by Ensueno and
I'd. A quarter Of a mile
later it still was Natchez, but En-
deavour I'd had replaced Ensueno
as chief challenger. Moving into
the stretch, Assault and Stymie
began to make their bids, Assault
jumping into second place and Sly
mie taking over third. It looked
as If the indomitable team of As
sault and rider Eddie Arcaro was
ready to take down another big vic
tory and preserve the King Ranch
stars winning streak, which has not
been interrupted since Stymie and
Rico Monte beat him In the Gal
liant Fox Handicap at Jamaica last
October.
Assault didn't have it today, how
ever. That familiar kick" was
lacking. Natchez chung grimly to
his lead, but while Assault was fad
ing the mud-flecked Stymie was
running hard, eating up distance
with his short strides.
Great Ride BY McCreary.
Conn McCreary, little gnone
who had won the Kentucky Derby
aboard Pensive, went to work on the
wiry Texas horse and approximately
100 yards from the finish Stynlie
caught the surprising Natchez and
possibly 40 yards from the wire he
began to nose ahead.
McCreary who stands only 4 feet
inches, rode one of his better races .
and was openly jubilant as he guided
the tired campaigner to the win
ner's circle to unwillingly receive q
Of gardenias. Its the Sec
ond biggest thrill I got out Of rae
ing" said McCreary. THE biggest,
Of course, was my Derby victory.
Styn1ie really wanted to run today
Stymie, who paid his hackers
$3.50, $40 and $3.50, negotiated
the course in 2:42.3, less than two
seconds Of the track record OF 2:40.A
by Man O'War in 1920.
Natchez, who went to the post at
"a to /, paid SIS to place and $3.50
to show. Assault paid $3.50 to show.
Atkinson, who rode Natchez, was
visibly disappointed. II thought we
were home" he said. I'VE got nipped
at the wire" Atkinson was only a
foot or 50 from hitting the Jackpot.
. Route too Long for Assault.
Arcaro, crack rider Of the favored
Assault, felt the distance may have
been a bit far" he added, Assault
did his best, but he just wasn't there
today"
Phalanx, winner of The Belmont.
was the only entry carrying less
than 1875 pounds in the first inter-
national weight forage race in New
York since the Zey-Papyrus match
If 1928, because he Is a 3-year-old
phalsnx was allowed to carry only
ITO pounds, but actually he carried
III because his jockey, Ruperto
oonoso, was overweight. "
Phaianx was second favorite, o
k-to-l shot on - tcard, but he
,bviously did not ike the sticky go
ng.