VODKA QUALIFIES TO START

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 5

VODKA QUALIFIES TO START

WIN IN TEST RACE AT ROOSEVELT [From RON BISMAN] WASHINGTON, May 29. New Zealand’s champion trotter, Vodka, won a qualifying trial at Roosevelt Raceway, New York, eight days ago, and he repeated that effort last evening. He was disqualified on the first occasion because he broke before the start, but he has now been granted B grade status. Vodka’s Christchurch owner-trainer, J. S. Shaw, has. entered him for racing at Roosevelt Raceway, and his turn to compete is expected within the next few days.

his win last evening, Vodka trotted solidly all the way, and recorded 2min 9 3-ssec for the mile. Had he broken again, there was every chance that he would have been barred from racing at the meeting for a time. In B class. Vodka will have to trot between 2m in ssec and 2min 6sec to win at Roosevelt. One win, or possibly two. will take Vodka into BB grade, in which he would have to trot about 2min 4sec to have any chance. Two wins in this division would probably result in promotion to A class. Then he may have to trot better than 2min 3sec to win. The next step is AA class, in which he would meet the best trotters in commission in the United States. Success in this class would probably result in opportunities to start in invitation races, which carrv stakes of up to 25.000 dollars Eight mile races were decided at Roosevelt Raceway -last evening, and results give some idea of the calibre of the horses competing. The events included races for C class pacers and trotters. The eieht races were decided at an average rate of 2min 3 l-ssec. the top-class trot being won in 2min 2 l-ssec.