RACING American Horse Wins Rough International

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29051, 13 November 1959, Page 4

RACING American Horse Wins Rough International

(N.Z Msocuilwn—CovyngM) LAUREL (Maryland), November 11. Bald Eagle cleared away to win the Eighth Washington International Stakes at Laurel today in a race in which Vogel of Australia and Pensilvania of Venezuela fell heavily.

The hot favourite for the race, 6/5 Tudor Era, tried to repeat his performance of last year and lead all the way.

Bald Eagle, which kept well up throughout, passed Tudor Era on the back stretch and went on to a clear victory in a race record time of 2min 28sec. » France’s entry, Midnight Sun also passed the tiring Tudor Era to take second place two lengths and a half behind Bald Eagle. Tudor Era held third place four lengths and a half back. Straggling out along the course in order of finishing were Mi Carina, Garnir, of the ■ .Soviet Union, Lightning, of Peru, Aggressor, of England, the Soviet Union’s second entry, Flang, Lea-B, of Mexico, and Up and Coming, of New Zealand, at least 20 lengths behind the leaders. The Venezuelan jockey, Gustavo Avila, said after the race that his horse had crossed over to the running rail in front of Vogel. Avila, who lay on the track for some minutes, said: "I could not help it. I feel all right’’ He received a cut and scraped the skin round .his left thigh. The Australian jockey, Bill Camer, regained his feet almost immediately after the fall. Camer said: “He (Pensilvania) came over in front of me and my horse ran up on her heels. I am perfectly all right.” The fall occurred as the field of 12 headed out of the straight the first time round in the 12furlongs International. Both horses quickly regained their feet and galloped riderless after the rest of the field. f Second Favourite Bald Eagle started second favourite at about 7/2, Midnight Sun was third favourite at 8/1. and Tudor Era was the 6/5 favourite. The French jockey, Jacques Fabre, rode Midnight Sun and the American rider. Bill Hartack was on Tudor Era. Bald Eagle, ridden by the Puerto Rican. Manuel Ycaza, paid 9 dollars 20 cents for a twodollar win ticket. Midnight Sun paid 8.80 dollars for second, and Tudor Era 2.80 dollars for third. Bald Eagle's time was also a course record. The previous record for the 'nternational was set by the English winner of fie 1952 and first race, Wilywyn. in 2min 30 4-ssec. • The previous course record was

Girder’s 1955 time of 2min 29 4-Ssec. Bald Eagle is the third United States winner in the eight runnings of the International. The others were Fisherman in 1954. and Mahan in 1957. Hone* Fall Vogel and Pensilvania had covered about half a mile when they fell. Camer said: "There was a wall of horse* in front of me. It was on the fence and Pensilvania was on the outside, and when we got to the turn, Pensilvania cut across and ran across as if to follow the old course. He just shot across and went straight into the fence in front of me. "I could not avoid him. 1 went straight into him. I've got a bruised hip, but otherwise I am all right.” Nikolai Nasibov, the Russian jockey who rode Garnir, complained after the race that It had been ‘more like a football game When they race like this, I do not want to be killed." Nasibov said "They come from 10.000 miles for the money, not for the sport. 1 think the riders should have more experience before riding in an important race such as the International.’’ Naslbov’s nose' was bleeding when he returned to the jockey's room after the race. He said it was caused when Midnight Sun cut in front of him, and he hit his nose on Gar-nit's neck. The attendance was 31.278, well below last year’s record of 40,278. Totalisator betting on the International totalled 336.588 dollars, also well below last year's record of 490,539 dollars \ It was the eighth time since the inaugural race In 1952 that the favourite was beaten. John Sellers, who rode Up and Coming, said: "Somebody almost put me into the fence. My horse should have fallen. I don't know how he stooa up.” Sellers returned to the jockeys room after the race with his leftboot split *right down the side Sellers said he hit the running rail in the jostle of horses going out of the straight the first time round. The American jockey, Eddie Arcaro, said of the race: "It was the roughest race I've ever seen, and I’ve ridden in a few.” Mr Simpson said later that when he saw Up and Coming racing down the straight just before the interference he felt convinced that the New Zealand gelding would be able to trouble the leaders. "But,” Mr Simpson said, “I saw him knocked and I saw his legs splay. You couldn't expect any horse to win after that.” Mr Simpson said Up and Coming would rest for a week or so. and a decision on his future programme would be made after the rest.

He said Up and Coming, which injured his leg on the flight across the Pacific, would undergo an X-rav examination during the rest as the leg was still troublesome.