view raw text
ill *** - JUDGES STAND | By Charles Hatton Some Revised Estimates of Three-Year-Olds Preakness Result Lends Belmont Novelty Price Headleys Drean. of the Future Midlands Can Use Easts Horse Surplus NEW YORK, N. Y.. June 18. .Racegoers" estimate of the three-year-olds, always subject to "change without notice" until form is established, underwent some fairly sharp revisions when the Preakness was run. Whereas nearly all of us took a dim view of Polynesians conquest of Pavot in the Withers, it now seems clear that he is simply a better three-year-old than is the 1944 juvenile leader. And. whereas many were conceding Hoop Jr. the American "Triple Crown" following his hollow Derby victory, he forfeited his opportunity in sad fashion when he fell lame in the Preakness. The Hoop must, incidentally, be a colt of a great deal of "moxie" to have finished second on three legs at Baltimore. His mishap occurred near the end of of the backstretch. Parke thinks. As we noted at Louisville. "Junior" has been racing on borrowed time, so to speak, but this makes the injury to so nice a colt none the less regrettable. He probably will not race again. The Belmont, next and final one of the "Triple Crown" events, seems likely to bring an altogether new development. The fact that Polynesian is ineligible. Hoop Jr. hors de combat, and Pavot a colt of dubious stamina lends the week-end stake novelty. The Preakness was heartening to Jeeps connections and may alter Pot o Lucks plans. Darby Dieppe would seem to fit the race, but he is ineligible. The Preakness not only confirmed that Polynesian is a foremost title aspirant, it reflected credit upon his youthful sire, the Sickle horse Unbreakable. As if to make it a field day for Elmen-dorf. the rapid Roman filly Lady Gunner won the Nursery. All of which certainly will not detract from the attractiveness of the Elmendorf consignment to Keenelands sales. Finally, it becomes obvious that there is no Count Fleet or War Admiral this summer. Rounders Dixie time of 1:5645, with "speed to spare," rather discredited the 1:5843 of the Preakness. The only clubhouse in American racing which is not merely a fancy shelter on rainy days is that of Pimlico, where the guests reside during the meetings, rallying around "the alibi table" for coffee each morning and whil-ing away the evenings at gin rhummy or just "talking horse" on the porch. At breakfast with Sam McCormick, Fred Hooper, Charley McLennan and Ivan Parke there recently, McCormick remarked that the place is unique and pleasant and added that he imagines Keeneland could possibly develop something of the sort in the Blue Grass. We were reminded that Hal Price Headley and his associates in the Lexington track already have some idea of such a clubhouse in the post-war era of swift transport planes which will put Keeneland within a few hours of New York, Baltimore, Chicago and other populous areas. Headley fancies it would be a boon both to the racing and yearling auctions, but admits it is presently just a fascinating "dream of the future." Mention of McCormick and Hooper reminds also that Granny Rices estimate that the latter is the best golfer in racing is the subject of some lively banter. With all due credit to the adept Alabaman, it is a near thing between McCormick and Hooper whenever they play, as frequently they do. And Rice must know that Harry Parr is by no means a duffer. Neatest trick of the week-end was encompassed by Joe Stevens and Harry Straus when they moved concessions and the "tote," respectively, from Delaware Park to Pimlico overnight, installing these facilities for the one-day stand. A crew of 35 moved the 50,000-pound "tote" apparatus, while scores of chefs and waiters defrosted and cut up several hundred turkeys, hens, sliced sandwiches and iced beer and soft drinks in the night. Two housand bottles and glasses were allowed for "breakage" on Derby Day. Matt Daiger and his staff also were showing plenty of industry. Pimlico is a municipal track, you know, and there always are routine building and fire inspections, etc. Turfiana: Colony Boy, the most expensive 1944 yearling buy a 6,000 son of Eight Thirty, did not look bad finishing third in his recent Belmont debut. . . . Jack Campbell made Pavot and Hoop Jr. just alike in Peter Pan weights, and the Preakness crowd agreed with him, making them co-favorites. In the Experimental, Pavot and the luckless Free for All were top weights; Hoop Jr. did not "rate." . . . Snider galloped and breezed Hoop Jr. last winter at Hialeah. His mentor, Earl Sande, thinks this boy may prove a topnotcher. . . . Three of the last five Derby winners trained at Hialeah. Ben Jones things it unsur-« passed as a training grounds. . . . George Brown, Jr., mentioned an unusual occurrence one day last week at Delaware Park. An agent filed claims for two horses in the same race. The rule ought to be clarified so that there can be no misinterpretation. . . . Midlands tracks could use some of that superabundance of racing material in the crowded East. . . . Pavot, Devil Diver and Apache are engaged in Garden State stakes. ... "I think this is the best colt in the barn," Johnny Adams says of Colony Boy. . . . The recurrent idea of drawing for riders like post positions will not work. . . . Detroits lavish purse and "stake" program assures Motor City patrons a better grade of sport. That its features are not technically stakes is deplored by breeders and permits horses of actual stakes class to claim weight allowances elsewhere. ... If the industries around Philly go on a 40-hour-week basis Garden State will be hard put to handle Saturday crowds. . . . Duraznas Downs debut should benefit her.
