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BETWEEN RACES *oso«om HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., May 12. — Not too many years ago Zev was the money-winning champion of them all with earnings of 13,639. He later was supplanted by Gallant Fox with a financial rating of 28,-165. Sun Beau, after running in 74 races, was retired after winning 33 of them with total earnings of 76,744. At the time, most people thought the mark might stand indefinitely, although here and there some said there might emerge a horse from the ranks in the distant future who would in the course of his life hit a half-million dollars. Sun Beaus mark was broken, of course, by Seabiscuit who, while he did not attain the half -million, did win 37,730 after a lifetime campaign of 89 races. Assault, the "Wonder Horse" from Texas, "Triple Crown" winner, and "Horse of the Year" in 1946, stepped into third place in the standings by winning the 0,000 Dixie Handicap at Pimlico last Friday, and in the most convincing of fashions. He still has to pass Stymie and Whirlaway, the latter still the leader with a rating of 61,161. Seabiscuit had been shuffled back to fifth place some time ago. Zev is now down to sixteenth on the list, Gallant Fox is fourteenth, and Sun Beau, king seemingly only such a short time ago, has slipped to seventh. Y/hile among the four ranking money-winners at present, J.*:ere are three who are still racing and the chances of Assault eventually winding up at the top of the heap and remaining there for any considerable period are brighter than the chances of either Armed or Stymie. AAA The law of probabilities is with Assault because of his youth. He has started but 26 times in his life, winning 12. Armed, to the contrary, has started more than 40 times, and Stymie just under 100 times. It is noteworthy that Assault has attained his financial eminence with less campaigning than any of the leaders and, other Assault Rolling Toward Monetary Title Age in Favor Over Armed and Stymie Yearling Show an Outstanding Success Vanderbilt Awarded Two Blue Ribbons things being equal, he will have just that many more races available. Whirlaway went to the post 60 times to attain his championship. In addition, the other two of Assaults rivals still racing are in the "hands of the handicappers" just as much as is the Texan. With weight-for-age racing on a slow comeback after being in eclipse on major American tracks for many years, it may be that such events might prove the decisive factor Two of these are in prospect within the coming 12 months, the Empire Gold Cup and the contemplated Invitation Special at Santa Anita next spring. Be that as it may, Assault won the Dixie so handily as to indicate that he is by no means afraid of the handicapper. The months ahead in the older division competition promises to be one of the most exciting in years. The season at Washington and Arlington Parks well could prove decisive. AS A A While the Dixie-Oaks-Preakness finish of Pimlicos highly interesting Preakness week received the most attention from the racing public, the supporting features, such as the annual Breeders Dinner, and the yearling show added color to the weeks program. The former drew some 175 guests who feasted on registered Hereford beef, heard a satisfactory report of the years activities, elected 15 directors and enjoyed a highly amusing information please program, in which questions were sent in from the floor, with master of ceremonies Humphrey S. Finney calling on whoever he thought best qualified to answer from among those present. Some novel suggestions and answers were forthcoming in answer to numerous queries. The Maryland directors, meeting later, wisely elected Henry L. Straus as president, v/ith Iigan McKinney and John P. Pons, vice-presidents, and the perennial Maj. G. L. Stryker, secretary-treasurer. AAA The yearling show, held on the lawn of the Pimlico clubhouse, gave judge Max Hirsch plenty of food for thought. The judge stated that the affair taught him how a thoroughbred felt when he went to che post, for not until he faced the task of selecting his winners did Max Hirsch realize how tough his assignment was. However, the Hirsch selections were pleasing to che majority of his sideline audience, who felt that his consistently thorough examination of all entries settled the matter very well. Alfred Vanderbilt in no way was opposed to the judges selections, inasmuch as Pimlicos president took two blue ribbons, with a Discovery colt and a filly by expatriated Bahram. The former, bred by Hugh Jackson, was raised at Sagamore and purchased by Vanderbilt on the advice of his able trainer-manager Duval Headley. Other blue ribbons went to Breckenridge Long on a daughter of Challenger II. and the fast filly Nasca, and Sylvester Labot, Jr., on a colt by Bahram out of Trina. In all 65 yearlings were catalogued, with few scratching, and a good even lot they were. Such was the quoted opinion of Arthur B. Hancock, Jr., Jet Pilots breeder, who observed the affair from the sidelines. AAA Franw Lullo, the Chicago Italian who enjoyed an excellent winter at New Orleans and Hot Springs, is considered the champion swimmer among all American Jockeys. Lullo, under contract to C. O. Ferguson, spends all spare time in the pool. During the winter, his intricate and fancy diving so impressed swim coaches that he was invited to enter special tournaments. Lullo has to eat, and he makes his living riding, so he had to turn these offers down. But all hands agree he could go far in competitive swimming and diving.
