Quiz Star Wins Grassland by 1 1/2 Lengths

Martini II 3rd; Early Pace is Much Too Fast

Resolved Tires at End, Finishes 6th

by William Surface

Chicago Sunday Tribune

June 26, 1960

Braulio Baeza, a Panamanian jockey who doesn't speak English, got an 'A' on his quiz in sign language Saturday at Washington Park.

Remaining clear of interference while the top opposition set a suicidal pace, Baeza turned Quiz Star loose at the eighth pole for a powerful kick and a one and a quarter length victory in the 15th running of the $28,875 Grassland turf handicap.

Following the instructions of Trainer Burley Parke--who got his message across by both hand signals and an interpreter--Baeza had a fresh horse at the windup of the 1 1/8 mile turf event and withstood the belated but strong bid of Manassas, the 1959 Grassland victor.

Martini II closed fast

Martini II, who ran 12th in the 13 horse field most of the way, rallied gamely to salvage third money and finish one and a half lengths behind Manassas and a neck ahead of Anxious Moment.

Quiz Star, a New York invader whose more highly regarded stablemate, Francis S., failed in last Saturday's Chicagoan, covered the 1 1/8 miles under second high weight of 122 pounds in a modest 1:50 2/5. The four year old colt paid $8.40 to his supporters in the crowd of 19,593 which wagered $1,625,885 on the day's races.

"This was the first time Baeza rode Quiz Star," explained Parke, "and you can't always be sure that you're getting your message understood when you have to handle it this way. Looking at his ride, I'm certain he did.

Resolved is 6th

"I was hoping some of the big horses would kill themselves off by fighting for the lead."

Parke's hopes and plans were fulfilled. Resolved, winner of three consecutive starts on the Washington Park grass, went after the pace-setting 50-1 shot, Indian Creek. But Resolved was a weary horse at the finish, ending up a faltering sixth, just in front of Top Charger, the $50,000 Citation champion which was a close second choice to Quiz Star in the wagering.

Rider Thrown

Top Charger started a mild rally at the top of the stretch, but when Santiago raced up the back of his heels, Jockey Johnny Sellers was thrown, thereby nullifying any chance Top Charger had remaining.

Manassas, the 7 year old horse with big aching knees and a big strong heart, gave his sanguine rooters--those with money riding on his nose--an exciting ending with a big rush. However, Quiz Star, a standout on eastern tracks, easily responded to Baeza's whipping and driving and held him off.

But the fiery little Baeza paused only momentarily for the standard hand shaking and well wishing that accompanies a stakes victory to change from his flamingo colored silks of the Harbor View Farm into the green he used to ride Tropic King in the ninth.

Baeza won that one, too, in a race in which there was a dead heat for second place.