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»■-■■■■■-■----■-■-■■■■■■■■■■■« Here and There on the Turf Howard Sees the Light I Kidded Himself on Seabiscuit War Admiral Ready for Suburban Clash With Pompoon Appealing „.-■...«»■... .,, ..,4 Charles S. Howard and his trainer Tom Smith kidded themselves along just so far that everything was all right with Sea-biscuit, but finally the horse forced the impression upon them that he had no business doing any racing at this time. So Howard did the very proper thing and placed the matter before the Westchester Racing Association, which was dangling the purse of 00,000 before Seabiscuit and War Admiral. Rather than have the match race run into a farce, which it undoubtedly would have done [ with Seabiscuit well below his form, C. V. Whitney and his Belmont associates promptly called it off. That was in justice, first to the public, which was supporting the race so extensively, secondly, to the association which had very little prospect of making anything on the race, and then to Sea-biscuit, which would have been placed in danger of breaking down. In his last two trials, Seabiscuit indicated plainly that he was not striding in the manner of a horse that could run very fast. His connections admitted that the five-year-old wasnt partial to the Belmont track but believed he would improve when the course became thoroughly dried out. With the weather being what it was, the track had no chance to become dry underneath as well as on top, and with his knees bothering him, Seabiscuit demonstrated that he had no business doing any running at Belmont Park. When training for the Santa Anita Handicap last winter, he was hard held | when undergoing several dazzling trials, but at Belmont he had to be stung with Johnny | Pollards whip to make him keep going. Railbirds suspicioned that all was not right with Seabiscuit, but apparently, hoping against hope, Howard and Smith expressed . themselves continuously as being satisfied with the condition of their horse. Seabiscuit probably is not done with racing, but how soon before he will run again rests with the speed with which his knees will respond to treatment. Trainer Smith hardly can be expected to ask the horse for hard training until he has shown that he can stand it and so it may be weeks before any announcement can be made as to Sea-biscuits next engagement. More than likely the Howard horse will be transferred to another track, one that will be more suitable to Seabiscuit. He is an eligible to the 0,000 Massachusetts Handicap, which is more than a month away, and the Suffolk Downs Continued on thirtyaecond page. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. course suits him, but he wont try for a second victory in that stake unless all is well. Howard stated that he had no intention of seeking another match with War Admiral unless Seabiscuit returned to his top form in regular campaigning so that hardly could take place before Fall. Just because the match has been called off War Admiral will not remain inactive. He is eligible to the Suburban Handicap, to be run Saturday at Belmont Park, and as that mile and one-quarter event has 0,000 in added money, it is well worth winning. The son of Man o War and Brushup by Sweep, has been assigned 132 pounds for the Suburban and Mr. Riddle has announced he will start his star, especially as the training he has had for the match race will suffice for Saturdays race. Should War Admiral start in the Suburban, it will mark the first time he is called upon to carry that 132 pounds. The impost he handled so successfully in the Widener Challenge Cup was 130 pounds. Samuel D. Riddle is not anxious for War Admiral to carry such high imposts, but if the colt is to do any racing at this time, and he is fit and ready, he will have to go after such a race as the Suburban. In the Suburban, War Admiral probably will not have any easy task. Pompoon displayed such a remarkable performance in winning the Dixie Handicap that many persons believe he is able just now to give the Riddle star the race of his life. Jerome Louchheims speedy colt certainly made an impression with handicapper John B. Campbell, who made his Suburban impost 128 pounds, a jump of 10 pounds over what the son of Pompey and Oonagh by Friar Rock carried in the Dixie. That Pompoon is certain to start Saturday was indicated yesterday when he was sent over the Suburban distance by trainer Johnny Loftus, which he did in the creditable time of 2:07%, handily. The Philadelphia-owned fellow doesnt require a lot of honing and he doesnt want his races too close together, but apparently he is coming up to his Suburban engagement in his top form and this may be good enough to take the measure of War Admiral. A meeting between them Saturday is just as appealing to the writer as the match Monday otherwise would have been. ♦ ,
