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REFLECTIONS By Nelson Dunsran Pukka Gin Impressive in Debut Pensive Gains Many Admirers Veto of Wicks Bill Good News Atkinson, Arcaro and Permane NEW YORK. N. Y.. April 13. Stronghold, winner of the first division of the Experimental Free Handicap on Wednesday, was the only starter who is not eligible for the Kentucky Derby. The Wheatley Stable color -bearer was not nearly as impressive as Pukka Gin, who ran second, but who would have passed him in another stride. Giving 16 pounds to the winner. Pukka Gin was fairly flying at the finish and was the one who dem ; j ; I i j | . ! onstrated he will take kindly to the added distance of the Wood Memorial and then the Kentucky Derby. In the second division, Stir Up continued his good Florida form by winning easily from Autocrat, but even though his time of 1:12 was better than the 1:12% of Stronghold, the Green-tree racer was not as convincing in victory as Pukka Gin was in defeat. That race did the Whitney three-year-old a lot of good and he will be a sharper horse when the field lines up for the Wood Memorial a week from Saturday. The quartet of Boy Knight, Broad Grin, Grant Rice and Fire Sticky were anything but formidable in their Experimental outing, but they, too, could improve. Although defeated. Pukka Gins showing will strengthen his position as a Kentucky Derby favorite. As the field moved into the turn for home, Atkinson, on the Whitney hopeful, was blocked and he had to pull up sharply and go around his field. He had no alternative, but it cost him the race, nevertheless. Once he was in the clear Pukka Gin came on in a manner that justified all the nice things that the experts have been saying about him. At the finish Stronghold had very little left, while Pukka Gin was really just starting to run. He may not be the Derby winner, but the horse that does win the classic will have him as one of* those to beat. Down at Pimlico, Pensive again demon-j strated that he, too, is entitled to serious consideration as a Derby candidate. Ben Jones saddled the son of Hyperion to win the six-furlong Rowe Memorial Handicap from Porters Cap and Sun Again. As we have said before, Pensive runs in bar plates, but even though this is a distinct handicap, he is now showing the form which he first displayed in New York last season. He was in receipt of 16 pounds from his own sta-blemate, the five-year-old Sun Again, but, even with that allowance, it was an impressive performance. Miss Keeneland. who was the third member of the Calumet en-! try, failed to respond at any stage, and we again doubt if Ben Jones is seriously considering this miss as a starting mate to Pensive at Churchill Downs on May 8. Governor Deweys veto of the Wicks Bill came as good news to the people of racing and especially those connected with the mutuel department. While many bills pertaining to racing are presented to the State Legislature, very few are enacted into law, and judging by some that were presented this year, it is just as well. There is hardly a doubt that the State of New York will benefit by at least 5,000,000 as a result of horse racing in the Empire State. The trouble with a lot of these bills, which have very little worth behind them, is that they are copied in other states which does not benefit as handsomely as New York in the matter of tax returns. Off-track betting failed in New York, but California now has a bill fashioned along the same lines. New York City levied a "use" tax and now Boston will endeavor to follow suit. Atkinson, Arcaro and Permane scored ; doubles at Jamaica on Wednesday. Steve I Brooks was the only other rider atop a winner. This three-way fight between Ar-! caro, Atkinson and Permane is a fine thing i for the sport in New York. We have never 1 been a believer in system play and especially that phase of it where the jockey is given more consideration than the horse. But, if some smart system player can work out a plan involving these three top riders, he may have something. Then, again, he may not! But, either way, these three boys seem destined to win a goodly share of the races on the Long Island tracks.
