Sport: Duel

Despite his three California losses, the 60,000 racing fans who jammed Santa Anita last week for the $50,000-added San Juan Capistrano Handicap still had faith in Citation. Calumet's scuffed-up wonder horse was being sent to the post carrying 130 Ibs.—two pounds less than the week before when Irish-bred Noor beat him in the Santa Anita Handicap. This time Noor was carrying seven more pounds—117. And the Capistrano, at the unusual distance of a mile and three quarters, was certainly long enough for a test of class.

Both horses ran easily as the field broke into the din at the start: Citation just off the pace, Noor far back in the ruck. The real battle started at the mile and a half. Citation moved into the lead with a rush and Noor, skirting the flying ribbon of color on the rail, came up from behind and closed for the final duel. Noor was first as they headed for home. Then Citation came up again; for second after aching second, they ran shoulder to shoulder, wild and even as a runaway team, while the stands and infield erupted insane sound.

They raced under the wire as one. An unreal silence fell. Finally the photofinish camera revealed the truth: Noor had beaten Citation again, by the thinnest fraction of a nose. The time: 2:52 4/5, a new American record for the mile and three quarters.