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► I : reflections! I By Nelson Dunstan 1 Would Bid 5,000 for Free France Washington Parks New Kitchen Story of Naming Equipoise Mile 92 Fillies Named for Lassie Stakes | . | i i . First class private Ralph Neves of Fort Riley, Kans., in his seven months trick for Uncle Sam, has kept his weight at an even 112 months. . . . Those who know say the real reason for Seattles license refusal is just a plain political feud. . . . Hugh Nesbitt, who owns Staretor, is the worlds largest bottler of orange juice. . . . Sandy ; I j Sandstrom, one of the countrys best exercise boys, was rejected by the Army and is again happy at work under his old boss, Cecil Wilhelm. . . . Tommy Thompson, Santa Anitas track gateman, has prospered well directing U. S. Army Post Exchanges out in California. . . . Arlington and Washington Park Jockey Club executive offices have five men in service, all who volunteered prior to Pearl Harbor. . . . Louis B. Mayer can get 5,000 for Free France, his Man o War — La France colt, before he steps to the post. The bidder is a prominent defense manufacturer. . . . Washington Park has the only track-operated kitchen we know of wherein the stable help and horsemen can get a full meal for less than 50 cents, no profit being attempted. It is managed by the Turf Catering Co. . . . Onecbill is expected to shine at Chicago tracks, he cost 00 at the Saratoga sales last year. . . . Boots Dickerson, starter, close to 60, is in better physical condition than any track person his age. Saw him leap one-handed over a five-foot rail. Lt. Col. C. V. Whitney and A. G. Vanderbilt both ., . _ Nelson Uunstan nominated fillies for the Arlington Lassie Stakes, and each will be seeking his third victory in the stake. Top Flight in 1931 and Motto in 1934 won for Whitney; while Now What in 1939 and Petrify in 1941 were victorious for Vanderbilt. . . . Way back in 1930 Blue Larkspur set a mark of 1:49J.5 for the Arlington Stars and Stripes. That was the second running of this fixture and it still stands, with the fifteenth renewal coming up this summer. This years purse has been increased to 0,000 and the biggest "name" horses in racing are expected to start. The race has always drawn the best. . . . Longest price ever paid by a stake winner at Arlington Park, was Shine ONight in the 1940 Matron. A winning ticket was worth 55.20. . . . The Arlington Futurity, which will be run for the fourteenth time this summer, is quite a race for favorites — seven of them have won in the thirteen previous runnings. . . . While the Arlington Classic of 1942 was the richest race of the year 9,000, Shut Outs victory last summer did not net him the biggest winners purse for the race. Gustos victory in 1932 was worth 6,600. Shut Outs victory last year earned 9,700. Quite a story behind the Equipoise Mile, to be run at Washington Park as the first Saturday stake. No keener admirer of the immortal "Chocolate Soldier" lives I I j than Frank E. Butzow of the Arlington-Washington publicity staff. His fervor, we imagine, excels even that of John "Salvator" Hervey, who has lauded the dead son of Pennant for many years. Butzow, it seems, prior to taking residence of the press staff of the two tracks, had many times approached the then owners of j I Arlington Park, suggesting that the horse who set the worlds record at the north side course be honored by having a stake named after him. Apparently it fell upon i i deaf ears, for not until the new regime, headed by Ben Lindheimer, took over, could Butzow sell the idea. In 1941 Butzows message bore fruit, for the race was carded, and with laudable justice, the inaugural running fell to any own son of Equipoise, Equifox. Last year Best Seller took it, and this years 0,000 added purse will i possibly lure the greatest band of speedsters to break away from starter Dickerson s gate. Butzow will never be satisfied, he says, until the Equipoise Mile is up to a 0,000 value. No occupant of the press box roots harder in this event than that little man from Watseka, 111. On the second Saturday of the Arlington-Washington Park meetings the now-famous fixture for two-year-old fillies, the 0,000 added Arlington Lassie Stakes, will have its fifteenth running. There are 92 juvenile fillies eligible for this event, including one supplementary nominee, Lazy F Ranchs Cocopet, who was undefeated until she encountered Mrs. Anes in the Astoria Stakes last Wednesday. Count Fleets owner, Mrs. John Hertz, with seven eligibles, has the largest number of Lassie candidates. They are all by different sires, but none of them is by the Hertz stallion, Reigh Count, sire of Count Fleet. Trainer Ben Jones has five Calumet Farm fillies in preparation for the Lassie, including Whirlaways sister, Whirlette. Green-tree Stable and Hal Price Headley each has four eligibles. Mr. Headley started four fillies in the Lassie last year, getting second and fourth money, which amounted to ,000. The years champion juvenile filly, Askmenow, who is back for the older filly and mare stakes this year, finished second to Walmac Farms Fad in the Lassie. The victory was worth 5,989 to Fads owner. The Lassie is Americas richest filly race, the gross value last year amounting to 5,100. Leading from end to end. Occupation scored over "three older horses in the Preston Foster Handicap at Hawthorne on Friday. Although he drifted out when entering the stretch, this 1943 debut was sufficient to show the Marsch colt retains 1 the high speed he displayed as a juvenile last season. The big question concerning this ■on of Bull Dog is whether or not he can hold his speed over the one and one-quarter j miles of the Classic and American Derby. Conflicting reports are heard, but only a race at that distance holds the true answer. We believe he will be a factor in any race and, as far as he goes, will give Count Fleet more of a tussle than any three-year-old has to date. Even should The Count not be a Classic starter, Occupation, Ocean Wave and Devils Thumb will make it an interesting race. Ben Jones had I Ocean Wave at his peak in the Derby Trial, and as the Blenheim II. colt has about ■ month to be trained, Ben Jones will endeavor to have him right by Classic Day. | I Ocean Wave will like the Classic distance. He was on the Washington Park track Friday morning and showed no trace of the injury that prevented him from starting in the Kentucky JOerby.
