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By BETSY BRANSCOME
Times Newspapers Staff Writer
THE PLAINS — Gray horses have always held a special railside appeal, but Buck Jakes proved Saturday that he is no ordinary gray. His dazzling dappled color scheme set him apart in the Great Meadow paddock, and his bold, fearless jumping and attacking, come-from-behind policy created a spectacular image for 22,000 racing fans on hand to see him sweep to repeat victory in the $50,000 International Gold Cup — the world’s richest timber race.
In the International Gold Cup Races’ signature event, only four horses rose to the challenge to face pre-race favorite Saluter — twice a winner of the Virginia Gold Cup here even though a dull loser to Buck Jakes in this race last year. Ann Stern’s timber specialist has been indomitable this season, though.
Yet, Mother Nature perhaps dealt the trump card Friday night with three inches of soaking rain. Though Saluter won last year’s Virginia Gold Cup over "soft” going, the amount of moisture in the soil this autumn seemed more .“heavy” than “soft,” affecting both racing strategy and finishing times in all seven races on the program.
As expected, Eben Sutton’s Chaiten made the early running in the 3 1/2 mile ’chase, with Gus’s Boy close up and Buck Jakes and Saluter both reserving energy behind.
As the front markers approached the water fence — number 19 of 23 — Anne Moran on Buck Jakes and Jack Fisher on Saluter each moved into challenging position, splitting around the fading Chaiten. A repeat of their - epic Oct. 7 stretch duel was eminent, and a full-fledged roar went up for the
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