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— — — REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan NEW YORK, N. Y., May 9.— Tomorrows renewal of the Preakness may prove to be just as much a battle of jockey skill as it is of thoroughbred speed. During the week, we were talking to Eddie Arcaro and asked him why he did not stay closer to the pace in the Derby. For a min ute, he sat thinking, then he said, "It is often difficult for those who are not in the race to realize just what is taking place. Dodson, on Faultless, was watching me, and I was watching Dodson. He had a nice big hole all prepared for me, but I was not sucker enough to go into it. Next time, if Phalanx will go with me, I will not be so far off Jet Pilot." It has often struck us as strange how these jockeys can almost tell you beforehand the moves that a rival will make during the running of a race. In our opinion, Eric Guerin is one of the best race riders in this country today, and it is going to be a battle of wits between that lad, Arcaro and Dodson. Beyond Guerin, the others are likely to stage an entirely different ride than they did in the Derby a week ago. AAA While a huge throng will be at the Preakness, New Yorkers still have an opportunity to see Stymie in action in the 5,000 Metropolitan Handicap in New York. The Jacobs horse will carry the top weight of 124 pounds, but he will meet some stiff opposition from those more lightly weighted. Both Assault and Stymie are having their innings, in climbing the money-winning ladder, but, in the background, there is always Armed, who may eventually be the one to topple Whirlaway from his money-winning throne this season. In the years to come, there is hardly a doubt that international races are going to be features of later seasons. But, from where we sit, we are not too sanguine about these particular matches in 1947. We are not sure but that Ben Jones came up with a good idea when, a few days back, he told our contemporary, judge Hatton, that he would not mind running Jockeys Play Their Part in Preakness Armed Ideal for Match With Outlanders Three-Year-Old Fillies to Have Innings Juvenile Will Attract Expensive Babes Armed against any horse in the world in a series of match races at six furlongs, one mile, and a mile and a quarter. If England or France — or even South America — should develop a horse this season who can both sprint and stay, this would be just about the best feature the present season could offer to the racing public. AAA Following todays running of the Pimlico Oaks, three-year-old fillies will move to Belmont Park for two of the most important races for that division, namely, the Acorn, at one mile, and then the Coaching Club American Oaks, at a mile and three furlongs. The Acorn will be run next Tuesday, and the Coaching Club a week later. The Acorn, which is a prep event for the Coaching Club, closed with 87 nominations, and on the list are Cosmic Missile, Jane Gail, Miss Kimo, Bee Ann Mac, Judy-Rae, Harmonica, Carolyn A., and last, but by no means least, First Flight. It is doubtful if the last-named filly will be seen in the Acorn, although there is just a possibility that she will be a starter in the Coaching Club American Oaks. Although not entered in the Acorn, A. B. Hancock, Jr.s, Blue Grass, winner of the Kentucky Oaks, has been named for the Coaching Club, and if she should go, along with Cosmic Missile and First Flight, it should result in one of the finest races for three-year-old fillies seen in New York in many a day. AAA There is always a lapse of a few weeks between the running of the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, but there is no lack of opportunity for three-year-olds to earn their way. At Belmont, one week from tomorrow, they will run the 5,000 Withers at one mile, and a week later, or Saturday, May 24, the feature event will be the 5,000 Peter Pan Handicap, exclusively for three-year-olds, at a mile and a furlong. Back in 1919, Sir Barton was not only the first horse to win the "Triple Crown" of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, but, in that year, he also won the Withers. It was not until 1930 that Gallant Fox duplicated the feat of Sir Barton in winning the "Triple Crown," and then he was followed by Omaha, War Admiral and Whirlaway. In 1943, one of the standout three-year-olds of all time came along in Count Fleet, and it was this son of Reigh Count who was to be the first and only three-year-old, to duplicate the feat of Sir Barton in winning the "Triple Crown" and also the Withers. As the Belmont schedule is now arranged, it is possible for a three-year-old to win the "Triple Crown," the Withers and the Peter Pan. AAA Two-year-olds have been moving along with consistency in recent weeks and, right now, many of them are pointing for the 0,000 Juvenile, one of the oldest races in American annals. At five furlongs, this event will be run as a companion to the Withers, a week from tomorrow. This race closed on March 15, with 169 nominations, and on that list are some of the most beautifully bred youngsters, either homebreds or who came out of the yearling sales. There is a possibility that Speculation, who cost 5,000 last season, may start in this event, and, if so, he may be opposed by Royal Blood, Quickset and still others who have demonstrated they are to be reckoned with in this years race for two-year-old honors. King Rhymer, who set a worlds record at three furlongs in California, is also among those named, and so, too, is Fleet Command, to say nothing of many youngsters who brought very high prices at Keeneland and Saratoga last season. There is little sense at this particular time in endeavoring to predict the quality of the two-year-olds, but, from all indications, a few of the higher-priced ones are going to vindicate the bidding for them. We feel that Royal Blood is one of those who cost 0,000 or more who will be heard from in the months to come.
