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I REFLECTIONS — — — — — — — By Nelson Dunstan — — — — — — — — - Armed or Stymie: Lord Boswell or Assault Busy Days Ahead for Three-Year-Olds Mercator Proves Class in Meadowbrook Yearling Sales Interest Gains Momentum NEW YORK, N. Y., May 29. Only three days remain of the Belmont meeting, but in those three days, two very important questions will be answered. Tomorrow Armed and Stymie will hook up for the third time in the Suburban. On Saturday, Assault and Lord Boswell will come together once again and they will answer the question of whether Assault is to be returned the Belmont winner, and thus the seventh to capture the coveted "Triple Crown," or again, whether Lord Boswell is finally to win a race over his King Ranch rival. In a handicap, such as tomorrows Suburban, history has proven all too well that a lighter-weighted horse can come up to defeat the two who, on paper, appear to be the ones who will fight it out for the long end of the purse. In our time, we have seen many Suburban runnings, but we doubt if there has been any of them which grips the interest as tomorrows renewal. In this column yesterday, we spoke of Armed from start to finish and for reason that few handicap performers have earned our admiration to a greater extent than this undersized gelding who has come up to be what we believe the top handicap performer of his year. He could be beaten tomorrow, of course, but we rather doubt it. » Even though the Belmont Stakes is a milestone for the three-year-old division, there will be no surcease from the competition that has been constant since the Experimental Handicap No. 1. In the old days some of the division topnotchers took a rest until the Classic was staged in Chicago. Many have fallen by the wayside or gone to the sidelines during the past month, but the Dwyer, to be run on June 15, will probably see those who are still on the firing line striving for the long end of the 0,000 in added money. When Whirlaway won the Dwyer in 1941, he earned ,075 as compared to the 8,835 that went to the owner of Wildlife last season. When Man o" War defeated John P. Grier in that unforgettable renewal of 1920, he earned but ,850, so it can well be said that "Big Red was born too soon." A week before the Dwyer, Delaware Park will stage the 5,000 Kent Handicap, and on the same day Suffolk Downs will feature the 5,000 Yankee Handicap. Before June goes off the calendar, the 5,000 Cinema Handicap will be run at Hollywood Park and the 0,000 Empire City Stakes will be history. Its a rough and busy life for the three-year-olds, but a rich one for those who can stand the gaff. Steeplechasing has really done a fine job on the Long Island tracks this season. The sport reached its zenith with the running of the Meadowbrook Steeplechase Handicap yesterday. In this race, Burma Road was assigned 152 pounds and Mercator was in with 150. At the eighth jump, Mercator was in front by 10 lengths and, ridden by Leonard, he made every jump a winning one from there to the finish. Not since the days of Jolly Roger and Fairmount has one jumped so cleanly. It was truly a spectacle to watch this Lipscomb gelding take jump after jump and, even with his package, carry on to win by three lengths over Beneksar, with the latter seven lengths in front of Burma Road. Steeplechasing is entitled to a far better name than a bunch of weakminded riders endeavored to give it at Pimlico last fall. The through-the-field sport has always been supported by the finest people in racing and, in removing the cancer of 1945, racing fans are truly happy to see it flourish again and become a true part of sport on major tracks in New York, Maryland and Delaware. A majority of the jumpers will now move down to the Wilmington course to continue the fine steeplechasing that was seen through the Belmont meeting in New York. With the coming of June 1, the question "what about the yearling sales?" is always heard. During recent weeks, there has been some speculation as to whether the Keene-land and Saratoga sales will reach the high peaks that breeders enjoyed in 1945. Realizing that the war is over and that there is a great demand for horses today, we are guessing — and only guessing — the prices will be very close to those of last season. The Kentucky breeders have narrowed their crops to the very finest and the high class establishments will offer youngsters with distinct appeal to those who will be at the sales ringside. The Keeneland Sales will open on the night of July 29 and, on July 30, the famous "Hancock Night" will take the entire evening. The Mereworth Farm of Walter J. Salmon will follow on Wednesday afternoon, July 31, along with Elmendorf Farm, Coldstream Stud and other quality breeders. Some of the finest racing material obtainable will go to the highest bidders during the sales. In the Hancock consignment there is a chestnut filly by Whirlaway-Risk by Sir Gallahad III and it is safe to say this miss will bring one of the highest prices for her sex to be heard during 1946. Fortunately, the Fasig-Tipton Company has set the Saratoga Sales during the middle of August, so that prospective buyers will have ample time to attend the sales in Kentucky and then get to Saratoga for the necessary inspections. One of the quality groups to be offered at the up-state spa is that of Henry H. Knights Kentucky establishment, Almahurst Farm. This prominent Kentucky breeder will sell 20 colts and nine fillies by such stallions as Blue Larkspur, Pharamond II, Grand Slam, Stagehand, Petrose, Cohort and still others, and from reports out of Kentucky, they are one of the best groups ever raised on the Knight farm. Other prominent eastern breeders include the North Wales Stud of Walter Chrysler, Jr., Meadowview Farm, A. A. Baldwin, Churn Creek Farm, the Blue Ridge Farm of Mrs. George L. Harrison, the Hop Creek Farm of W. H. LaBoyteaux, Morven Stud, Nydrie Stud, Mrs. W. Plunket Stewart, and others too numerous to mention. This is the first sale staged at Saratoga since the war started and the averages may top those of last season at the Meadow Brook club on Long Island.
