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• — * Here and There on the Turf Temper of Sarazen. Lynbrook Means Nothing. Eose Eternals Victory. Three -Year-Olds Progressing. V 4 Sarazen has not improved in temper. His actions at Jamaica Wednesday disclosed that he is the same temperamental idiot he has been in other years, and possibly a bit more so But Sarazen remains a top-notcher and it will never be safe to eliminate him in considering the chance of the best in any event. The fact that he failed in the Lynbrook Handicap has but little bearing on what he may accomplish in the Dixie Handicap at Pimlico on Monday. This is the race for which Max Hirsch has been training the son of High Time— Rush Box. Sarazen won the Dixie Handicap of both 1925 and 192ff, and he showed the same unreliability before those races. That he is ready seems apparent and, as a matter of fact, the old fellow has frequently behaved himself similarly in various of his important engagements. He looks well and has all his speed, and it is only a question of his racing kindly to have him the most dangerous starter in the big handicap of the Maryland Jockey Club. All distances look alike to Sarazen and one of his notable victories was when he won the International Special at a mile and a quarter, over Pierre Wertheimers Bpinard at the Latonia course. He was a three-year-old that year— 1924 — and under his weight of 120 pounds he raced the mile and a quarter in 2:00 % to win from the best horses that could be mustered. Spinard, it will be remembered, finished second and Mad Play winner of the Belmont of the same year finished third. It has been suggested that Sarazen be put to steeplechasing in an effort to cure his bad temper. It might work some good, if he takes naturally to the crosscountry sport. If he is not a natural jumper little could be hoped for in the change. If he will jump, a gelding of his tremendous speed and high class would undoubtedly quickly find his way to the top of the steeplechase division, just as he found his way to the top of the flat racing division. There may be a different story to write of Sarazen after the running of the Dixie Handicap on Monday. Racing conditions in Maryland this spring have been anything but agreeable. That is to say, weather conditions. At Bowie there was almost continuous bad weather and bad track conditions, while the Hartford Association at Havre de Grace has had but little luck. This factor has militated against the best racing, for under bad track conditions it is next to impossible to obtain anything like a dependable line on the horses. Then the track condition will frequently keep the best of them in the stable. This is a reason for the superiority in almost every age division still being an open question. H. T. Archibalds Rose Eternal moved up among the good two-year-olds Wednesday when she defeated the best 1 field that could be mustered against her in the running of the Aberdeen Stakes. Her race was an impressive one, but the track was slow and there might have been a different result with a different track surface. Rose Eternal is a bay daughter of Eternal — Rose of Roses, by McGee and her blood lines suggest that she has every right to be a good one. To have taken the measure of Sport Hallahan, the best colt that ran at New Orleans, was something of an accomplishment in itself and it is possible that this filly will go on to greater things. She is possessed of a great turn of speed and though she was tiring at the end of the four and a half furlongs, it is safe to predict that she will bring some measure of fame to the colors of the Chicago turfman. As the dates approach for the running of the big three-year-old stake races it is interesting to study the progress of the different candidates in different sections. Many of them have both the Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky Derby in view, while others also have aspirations of winning the Belmont, which follows these big prizes. Then, there are some that are concentrating on the Kentucky Derby alone; and, as a matter of fact, that is the only one of the three to which geldings are eligible, so it is the only goal for Joseph E. Wideners Osmand, one of the most promising three-year-old prospects. Osmand is at Churchill Downs, where the Derby is to be decided on May 14, and he has already bsen credited with some notable moves. At the same course there are Royal Julian, Candy Queen, War Eagle, Fred Jr. and several others. At Lexington two of the notable ones are Edward R. Bradleys Boo, winner of the Louisiana Derby, and Rolled Stockings. Both of these are far advanced in preparation for the big mile and a quarter dash. Down in Maryland, Max Hirsch has Rip Rap and Scott Harlan has Scapa Flow, the Walter M. Jeffords colt that was winner of the Futurity of last year. Both of these have attracted a deal of attention in their gallops and are reported as just about ready for the word. It is probable that both of these will be raced in the Preakness Stakes before being sent to Louisville. Then there is Al Westons Jopagan. This colt failed in a race at Havre de Grace recently, but he is going along steadily in his preparation and unless he should have a setback he will surely start in the Preakness Stakes. New York also has its candidates and Sam Hildreth is preparing Sweepster and Sankari, while H. C. Riddle has Justice F, the best three-year-old that raced at New Orleans, and winner of the Tijuana Derby, galloping prominently at the Jamaica course. Altogether the number of good ones that are being brought up to the race gives promise of the 1927 renewal of the Kentucky Derby being one of the most notable in its long and glorious history. Secretary Schuuamburg has distributed the book of the meeting of the Westchester Racing Association, for the meeting which is to open at Belmont Park Thursday, May 19, and continue until Saturday, June 11. During the twenty-one days of racing there are to be nineteen steeplechases and that proportion of races through the field should be appreciated by patrons of that spectacular branch of the sport. The best of the program is framed along the usual lines, with some changes in the running dates of stakes, which have already been made public. The book of the meeting is sure to furnish an excellent brand of sport at the largest of all American courses and it is observed in the conditions for the overnight races there is the same scale employed that will look to the carrying of higher weights than have been the custom in other years. This has been tried out successfull at the Jamaica meeting, with conditions anything but favorable and it will doubtless continue right through the season. The arrangement of 4he dates for the Withers Stakes and the Belmont Futurity are far enough apart to suit all, as the Withers Stakes is to be run May 25 and the famous old classic, the Belmont, at a mile and a half, is not decided until June 11, the last day of the meeting. And with the Preakness Stakes to be run on May 9 and the Kentucky Derby on May 14 it is readily seen that any colt would have ample time between these races to fill all four, should he measure up to such a task.
