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■ ■ " " ■ ■■■iB REFLECTIONS ly NeJson Dunsron * Defeat of Pavot Stuns Belmont Fans Ocean Wave Joins Handicap Comebacks Who Really Owns Jamaica Track? Metropolitan Cap Apache-Diver7 Act NEW YORK, N. Y„ June 7. By increasing the purses 50 per cent, payable in War Bonds, Delaware Park is helping both our county and the horsemen racing there. . . . Grandpa Max. first of Easy Mons babes to race, race, has has centered centered attention attention on on his his sire sire by by ■ ■ " " ■ race, race, has has centered centered attention attention on on his his sire sire by by winning his first two starts. Even money wont get you a room in Louisville hotels. . . . Dr. Eslie Asbury writes that Revoked is training "beautifully" and will make his debut in Chicago. . . . Uttermost, winner of the Kings Plate, is the one to beat in the Orpen Handicap at Dufferin Park Saturday. .. . The Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association has warned owners and trainers that the "stealing" of stable help will draw a fine and possible suspension. . . . City City Halls Halls "Butch" •Butch" will will be be horrified horrified to to know know City City Halls Halls "Butch" •Butch" will will be be horrified horrified to to know know ■■■iB that the English people have wagered 2,000,000 on the Epsom Derby. . . . The late Edsel Fords luxurious truck that will accommodate eight horses is on the market. . . . Looks like Beaugay and Lord Boswell will win more than their share of the 00,000 Mrs. Elizabeth Graham paid out for yearlings. . . . Suffolk Downs is all set for its 54-day meeting. . . . George Swine-broad and Humphrey Finney will be in the stand at the Meadow Brook sales on August 7. 8 and 9. A stunned throng watched as Polynesian shot past Pavot to take the Withers by half a length. The Jeffords champion was the cynosure of all eyes as he came onto the track. He has not grown much, but it was obvious that he had matured materially during the winter months. A deep-bodied sort, he stands over plenty of ground and is well-muscled. Walking down the track his appearance verifies the workout charts that he was in good shape. After he crossed the finish line in the Withers it was difficult even for veterans to agree on his prospects as a three-year-old. George Woolf did not spare his mount: in fact, he had the champion two-year-old of 1944 under severe pressure throughout the stretch drive. Many are now of the opinion that he will not be a menace to the top three-year-olds when the distance is beyond a mile, and the Withers would seem to bear out their contention. However, It was his first race of the year and we are going to await another one before fully agreeing with the opinions heard that he must be placed in the category of a sprinter. This is indeed the year of comebacks. Jury Box. Apache, Rounders, Thumbs Up, and now Ocean Wave, have returned to the races after long lay-offs to earn brackets. Ocean Wave is just another example of the patience that trainers have with horses they regard highly. Two years ago Count Fleet was the standout three-year-old of the season. If there was a horse in Kentucky conceded to have a chance with the Hertz champion it was Ocean Wave, who had won the Blue Grass Stakes in convincing fashion and then an allowance race in which he defeated Slide Rule. On that showing his name was heard throughout the country, but it was in that race that he was badly injured and had to be placed on the sidelines. Two years went by, and on Wednesday last he came out to win the fifth race at Belmont in easy fashion. After the race he cooled out well and now appears to be a sound horse again. He is not entered in any of the Belmont stake events, but if he continues to remain sound he will make his presence felt at any track where he is campaigned. In recent days there have been stories regarding the ownership of the Jamaica race track. A majority of people were under the impression that the track was owned by a member of the Sisters of Charity, a Catholic order. Joseph V. McKee, representing the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, has now stated that no member of that religious organization owned any stock in the track. It is all very confusing! We know it to be a fact that one offer of 85 per share recently was rejected. William Helis has a bid in for the track, but the amount per share he offers has not been made public. The most recent report is that the four other New York tracks, namely. Belmont. Aqueduct, Empire City and Saratoga had formed a syndicate and have actually bought the track, although there has been no verification of this. Not so long ago we made the statement that it was doubtful if any group could obtain a permit to build another race track in the eastern part of New York State and that if there is one built it will be to replace one that is owned by the five controlling inter-sts of the tracks now in operation. That statement still stands. But, if a permit could be secured, Helis is prepared to build the most modern track in America — and heaven knows New York needs it! Apache and Devil Diver, whose rivalry for the past two seasons has been a highlight of New York racing, are due to come together in Saturdays Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park. In this years Paumonok Devil Diver carried 132 pounds to defeat Apache with 129 by one and one-half lengths. They came together again in the Toboggan, opening-day stake at Belmont Park, and in this event Apache, with 129 pounds, turned the tables on his rival, who carried 135, leading him to the wire by two and one-half lengths. Saturday they will meet for the third time this year, each to carry 129 pounds and, thus weighted, it should prove to be one of the most interesting handicap events staged this season. Nineteen were nominated for Saturdays Metropolitan, First Fiddle being third on the list, with 124, and Alex Barth, 123. Rounders, winner of last Saturdays Brandy-wine Handicap at Delaware, has been assigned 115, and his improving stablemate, Olympic Zenith, drew but 106. The cofeature event of the day will be the Juvenile, for two-year-olds, and between them these stakes should draw one of the biggest throngs of the season.
