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i i reflections! . By Nelson Dunstan 1 Chicago for Alsab-Whirlaway Race Rich Withers Highlight of Week Maj. Ednyfed Williams Okays Idea Sporting Delaware Opens on 29th , ; NEW YORK, N. Y., May 16. Nate Gross, the "Town Tattler," in his column in a Chicago paper, supports our own Judge Hatton in the clamor for a match race between Alsab and Whirlaway. He says: "It is a race that belongs in Chicago, although every race track in the country would do everything to get it. Both horses belong to Chicago owners and are", therefore, Chicago horses." Nate further says that while he is addressing his remarks to all Chicagoans, he is aiming them chiefly at Al Sabath, Warren Wright, Ben Lindheimer and Maj. Ednyfed Wjl- MAJ. EDNYFED WILLIAMS Believes if the Whirlaway-Alsab special race can be arranged it would meet with wide approval of turf fans. liams, chairman of the Illinois Racing Board. In a letter to this writer Major Willams says: "I think if this could be arranged.it would be a swell thing." Indeed it would be a swell thing, for match races, despite some opinions to the contrary, have a wide appeal with the racing public. It is reported that Lindheimer, head of Arlington and Washington Parks, is not enthusiastic about the match, and the attitude of the owners of the two colts is not known,- but the fact remains that it is an event that would arouse tremendous interest, and moreover Chicago is the logical place for it. What better aid could Sabath and Wright and a Trace track, in Illinois or elsewhere, give War Relief agencies than put on a special program and make this match race the feature? In his column, Chicagos "Town Tattler" also says "the race tracks of the country are trying to outdo one another in their defense effort." That is not quite in accord with the facts, Nate. Racing has pledged itself to endeavor to raise 52,000,000 for War Relief and it is going to come pretty close to that figure, providing, of course, restrictions do not lower attendance to the point where profits are seriously affected. Many track heads have declared themselves on donations, and many more will. Why, little Sportsmans Park in Chicago is contributing 542,750, while Narragan-sett Park raised 8,227 for the war chest and charitable agencies. Add 5100,000 or more from Maryland and 00,000 from New York. Add the con tributions from Hialeah and Tropical Park, and also add the 18 days which Charles Town will stage with the entire proceeds to go to War Relief, Special events are sure to be staged a possible Alsab-Whirlaway match is one. It has been said time and again racing will not ask special privileges. But, with the tire and gasoline restrictions, a big "if" looms sufficient trains to the race tracks to carry the fans. This weeks highlight of the racing world will, of course, be the Withers, that one-mile event named after David Dunham Withers, a courtly gentleman who, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 1884, at Pelham "presided" in the judges stand, while General Beauregard, "the Rupert of the Confederate Army" and Messrs. Larry Jerome and J. G. K. Lawrence were present. David Dunham Withers, uncle of George H. Bull, was responsible for Monmouth Park, once Americas greatest race course, and was also the owner of Brookdale Farm, which later became the property of Harry Payne Whitney and his son, C. V. Whitney. Withers was once a member of the Louisiana Jockey Club, and was one of the charter members of the old American Jockey Club, which operated Jerome Park. His famous "all black" silks were carried by Inver-nook, Report, Belinda, King Ernest and many others, who were to distinguish themselves on the race course. Withers was a Confederate officer and, following the surrender of General Lee, settled in New York City. A wealthy man, he devoted much of his time to racing and to the breeding of thoroughbreds. The race named after him was first run at Jerome Park, then Morris Park, and since 1905 at Belmont Park. It is truly a historic race, named after a great American sportsman. Sporting little Delaware Park will open on May 29, and, we fear, will feel the pinch of restrictions, unless, of course, a sufficient number of trains will be run from Wilmington and other cities. The Wilmington course will operate until July 4, with, two raceless Mondays, on June 8 and 15. Thirteen stake events will be run during the meeting, three with 0,000 added, two at ,500, two at ,000, five at ,000, and one at ,000. The trio of 0,000 events are the Kent, for three -year-olds on Saturday, June 13; the Sussex Handicap, for three-year-olds and older horses, on Saturday, June 20; and the Newcastle Handicap, for fillies and mares, three-year-olds and older, on Saturday, July 4. As usual, the Kent, which is at one and one-sixteenth miles, has drawn most of the best three-year-olds, the list including Sun Again, Alsab, Colchis, Shut Out, Devil Diver, Bright Willie and many others. Delaware has been a staunch supporter of the steeplechase sport since its opening, and the coming meeting will renew the Delaware Spring Maiden Steeplechase, the Georgetown Steeplechase Handicap and the Indian River Steeplechase Handicap, the last two named with ,000 added. Cottesmore, Ossabaw, Elkridge, Caddie, Cupid, Massa, Redlands and other jumping stars are eligible for one or more of these steeplechases. A total of 74,900 will be distributed during the meeting. We have just received a copy of "The Australisian" and read with much surprise the news of racing in the land where thousands upon thousands of Americans are now under arms. In this country it is something of a novelty to see a race run in two divisions, but in "Chirons" column we read: "At the Ascot meeting in January, the Anglesy Trial Handicap had to be run in seven divisions, and as another, race was divided, there were thirteen during the afternoon." Chiron also says: "The success of the Melbourne yearling sales came as a pleasant surprise to Australian breeders. No yearling reached a four-figure price, but two colts from St. Albans Stud sold for 700 guineas, and there were several others not far below that mark." Judging by other articles, the sport of racing is flourishing in the land "Down Under" even with the restrictions caused by the war. Naturally fewer yearlings were sold this year, but our own breeders may find an encouraging, note in the statement that there was a difference of slightly over 15 guineas per head in the sales of 1941 and 1942, the latter naturally being the lower of the two. Breeders can hardly hope to match the averages obtained at Saratoga last August, but if Australian figures can be used, as a. guidethe- drop. in. prices, may. not be such. a great one.
