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— ■— WMM PMMMWMM REFLECTIONS By NfLSON DUNSTAN NEW YORK, N. Y., May 10 — Today is the big day at Pimlico, but it may be that two of the events run yesterday will have direct bearing on races that may be significant in 1947 racing. In the traditional Dixie Handicap, the odds-on favorite, Assault, did the expected when he won from the South American, Rico Monte, and, in the doing, earned 4,700. This brings his total earnings to 98,470 and, while he is a cinch to become the third horse in American turf annals to pass the 00,000 mark, there is a question if he will not become the first of the three horses, the others being Stymie and Armed, who will eventually pass Whirlaway as the money-winning champion of the world. Assault must earn approximately 2,700 to become the new worlds money-winning champion and, in his efforts, he has become one of the truly glamour horses of the season, which is just now ushering in the important events for those of the older ranks. Stymie went to the post Saturday in the Metropolitan Handicap and his sensational victory added 1,650 to his earnings, swelling them to 39,935. He is but 1,226 behind Whirlaway, who heads the list with 61,161. AAA Assaults onward rush toward the money-winning throne of Whirlaway naturally centers interest on the 0,000 Suburban Handicap, which will be run at Belmont Park on Friday, May 30, which is Memorial Day. Last year Armed, with 130 pounds up, won this race and earned an even 3,000 in the doing. Armed is now in training again and if there is any event that is likely to draw the trio of Armed, Assault and Stymie, it is this race which, at a mile and a quarter, has played a great part in the color of New York racing since 1884. It takes a good horse to win the Suburban, as its roster shows, but here are three horses all within striking range of Whirlaways earning figure of 61,161. It would not Assault Continues Up on Money Ladder Suburban Cap Shapes Up as Real Race But Why Not Ranks With Top Fillies Three-Year-Olds Still in Limelight surprise this writer if, before this season is over, all three of them topped Mr. Longtail on the money-winning ladder. Nor again would it surprise us if one of them came very close to the 00,000 figure in total earnings before the season is out. Of course, John B. Campbell will not release his weights until five days before the race, and it could be that Pavot, Rico Monte, Basileus II. and still others would have something to say about the long end of this purse. It is not so many years ago that Don Bingo, owned by Bing Crosby, took it on the lam with 104 pounds to carry and won the Suburban from the five-year-old Attention, who was carrying 121 pounds. AAA At Pimlico yesterday But Why Not, a bay filly by Blue Larkspur— Be Like Mom, by Sickle, created something of a mild upset when she won the Pimlico Oaks from the favorite, Cosmic Missile. A few days ago came the news that the King Ranch had lost the valuable stallion, Blue Larkspur, due to heart trouble. His daughter, But Why Not, has now injected herself into the three-year-old filly picture and will have to be considered in both the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks, which will both be run at Belmont Park within the next 10 days. For a time it appeared as if First Flight, Cosmic Missile, Blue Grass and Jane Gail were the four who would fight it out in these important events at Belmont Park, but, leading from start to finish, in the Pimlico Oaks, But Why Not is another who will make her presence felt among those of her age and sex this season. Blue Grass, winner of the Kentucky Oaks over Cosmic Missile, was through early in the running of the Pimlico Oaks. But Why Not is not only a fine racing prospect, but also one of the most valuable daughters of Blue Larkspur when her racing days are over. AAA With the Derby and Preakness now renewed, three weeks will elapse before the running of the Belmont Stakes, and that is as it should be. In England, the three Triple Crown races are stretched out be o ween June and the fall and, as a result, English three-year-olds do not go on the sidelines quite as often as those in this country. Next Saturday they will run a rich three-year-old event in the Withers, and there will also be another one on the following week-end in the Peter Pan. The Withers will be at one mile, but, nevertheless, has drawn the entries of such horses as Phalanx, Jet Pilot, Cosmic Bomb, I Will, Faultless, Liberty Road, Peace Harbor and ever so many others who promise to be better than usual in this years racing. Much the same can be said for the Peter Pan which, at a mile and a furlong, will be sandwiched in between the Withers and the Belmont Stakes, or on May 24. . « „ ... , . . ...-.._. _ AAA This writer was unable to attend the dinner of the HBPA in Baltimore last Wednesday night due to illness, but he would like to add his compliments to the men who strived so hard to make it a success. In all, they realized 9,000 for the joint benefit of the Damon Run-yon and Infantile Paralysis Funds, once again demonstrating that the people of the turf will go far in contributing to worth-while funds for the betterment of our nation as a whole. In recent weeks, this writer has had many letters from people who want to contribute to this fund over and above an outright donation in cash. Within a few days we will have a formal announcement to make regarding the offer of Mrs. Peter A. B. Widener to donate a service to Polynesian, her great sprinter, who will be retired some time this season.
