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! *Sf| REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 6. — The blacksmiths at Keeneland voted they would not submit to fingerprinting, and now, we understand, that is the attitude of the "shoers" nationally. . . . Despite attacks of "anonymous" scribes, boxes are already being reserved for the 1948 renewal of the Kentucky Derby. ... It was at Jamaica in 1946 that A. S. Hewitt first realized he had a good colt in Phalanx. . . . The Derby winner, Jet Pilot, is the sixth yearling purchased at the sales by Mrs. Elizabeth Graham to win over 00,000. . . . Many breeders endorse Al Lukes recommendation that the universal birth date of horses be changed from January 1 to April 1, starting with the foals of 1949. . . . After two years on the sidelines, Nelson Dunstan the horse will attempt a come-back shortly no cracks, please. AAA The trials which resulted from World War II. may engulf the breeding industry in this country very shortly. This may be indignantly denied, but there is a well-known lawyer in New York representing the Horthy heirs, who are the registered owners of Taj Akbar, a prize of war and now owned by the Remount of the United States Government. This lawyer is authorized to file suit against the United State Government for the recovery of this horse, which ran second to Mahmoud in the Epsom Derby of 1936. Taj Akbar is now at the Reynolds Brothers thoroughbred nursery in Texas. Should this controversy reach the stage of court proceedings, it will be the first time in the history of the world when a registered owner endeavored to obtain back a horse which was taken by the army representatives of another nation. Of the many horses brought to this country by the United States Remount, Taj Akbar is considered only second to the famous Nordlicht. It is doubtful if the registered owners would have much success in a suit of this nature, but, Taj Akbars Former Owners May Start Suit Assault Tops Metropolitan Cap With 130 Pounditout to Be Christened on Friday Phalanx May Be Preakness Post Favorite should it ever reach the courts of this country, it could be as sensational as the trial, in 1844, when the Epsom Derby winner, Running Rein, was subsequently proved to be the four-year-old Maccabeus. The Running Rein case attracted world-wide attention, but it could be topped if the Horthy heirs go through with their suit against the United States Government. AAA It is hardly likely that Assault will start m the 5,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on the week-end as he is slated to go in the Dixie at Pimlico on Friday. Nevertheless, the four-year-old King Ranch racer, who ran so brilliantly in the Grey Lag last Saturday, has been assigned the top weight of 130 pounds. Natchez is next on the list at 126 and is followed by the quartet of Stymie, Basileus II., Pavot and Polynesian at 124. Then comes Coincidence at 121, with Bridal Fower at 118; then Buzfuz and Gallorette at 116 each. Beyond that, there are many lightly-weighted horses who may oppose the topweights. It now appears that both the Dixie and the Metropolitan will draw good fields to enliven the week that is highlighted by the running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday. AAA One of the highlights in this week of the Preakness is the christening of the yearling Pounditout, which is now owned by members of the sports staff of the New York World-Telegram of New York. Probably you all know the story, as told by Joe Williams himself, as to Alfred G. Vanderbilt chiding him one day about his knowledge of horses. Williams, who is quick on a comeback, said to Vanderbilt, "Okay — why dont you give me a horse so that I can learn something?" Vander1 ilt promptly gave him a colt by Impound out of Sun Briirs daughter, Floradora Girl. It was a sporting gesture on the part of Vanderbilt, and just as sporting on the part of Joe Williams, for the latter promptly formed a corporation of his sports staff and Heaven knows just how many are interested in the welfare of this oH. Although only a yearling, Williams and his staff already visualize this youngster as a "Triple Crown" winner two yeai3 hence. They staged a "name" contest and, out of the thousands who replied, a gentleman named Jeffrey eis was declared the winner with "Pounditout," which is a splendid name in view of the fact that it was bearing on the newspaper industry and also the colts pedigree. He is to be christened, so we are told, at the famed oasis in Baltimore on Friday night, but lets hope that the colt never has such a hangover as many of the World-Telegram boys are sure to have on Saturday morning. AAA The consensus around town seems to be that while Jet Pilot ran a brilliant race to win the Kentucky Derby, the "off" track had much to do with his victory. There is a feeling, however, that on a dry track he will be lucky to be third to Phalanx and Faultless, who ran second and third, respectively, at Louisville. Many are of the opinion that Eddie Arcaro made his move a bit too late and that he will rectify that error at Pimlico on the week-end. As the Derby was run, no credit can be taken from Jet Pilot, but those who witnessed the rush of Phalanx are now wondering if he will not prove to be the best horse in the race which is the second leg of the "Triple Crown." Still others contend that on a fast track, Faultless will prove himself a better horse than either of those who beat him last Saturday. If anything, the Derby has created even more interest n the Preakness than was the case a week ago.
