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1 — ■■■■■? REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan NEW YORK, N. Y., May 17.— On Friday afternoon many of the fans at Belmont were disappointed when First Flight was withdrawn from the Nimba Handicap that was won by Risolater. Shortly after that -race, the Whitney filly, who was the two-year-old champion of 1946, came out on the track to work out at a mile and a sixteenth, with the four-year-old, Bright Sword, as her companion. To us the trial was not at all impressive and we believe she would have been a thoroughly beaten miss had she been a starter in the Nimba. This trial was announced as a prep for Tuesdays Coaching Club American Oaks, but, as much as we admire the Whitney miss, she did not strike us as being prepared to match strides, at a mile and three furlongs, with such as But Why Not, Harmonica, Blue Grass and possibly Cosmic Missile, although the latter is a doubtful starter. It is our opinion that But Why Not will be the winner of this 0,000 event, even if First Flight goes to the post. The Coaching Club is a searching test and we doubt if First Flight is up to it at this time. AAA Polynesian has been returned from trainer Morris Dixons farm and is being pointed for Wednesdays Roseben Handicap. In this race, Polynesian has been assigned 132 pounds, with Fighting Frank second, at 125, and he followed by Buzfuz and True North at 123. Polynesian is a five-year-old horse by Unbreakable — Black Polly, by Polymelian. Last year he started in 20 races at anywhere from six furlongs to a mile and a quarter, and when he won the Riggs Handicap at Pimlico, on November 8, he was retired for the season. He had a record of eight wins, three seconds and five thirds — thus, but four times unplaced. This year Polynesian was the winner over Buzfuz in a race at Jamaica, and then ran second to Coincidence in the Excelsior Handicap, also at Jamaica. On that occasion, he gave the Greentree First Flight Not Impressive in Workout Faces Tough Task in Coaching Club Oaks Mrs. P. A. B. Widener Aids Runyon Memorial Atlantic City Bids for Top Match Race Stables five-year-old, Coincidence, 11 pounds. It was shortly after this race that a group of sports writers were in Lexington, Ky., and at a party one afternoon at Elmendorf Farm, Glen Tomlinson, manager, stated that Mrs. Peter A. B. Widener was very interested in the Damon Runyon Memorial Fund and wanted to do something constructive to aid the cause. Tomlinson asked the writers present for their ideas as to best way to proceed. AAA It developed that Mrs. Widener intended to retire her , crack racer, Polynesian, at the end of his 1947 racing season and that he would enter stud at Elmendorf Farm beginning with 1948 at a fee of ,500. There will be only 15 outside seasons and these have already been booked — in other words, Polynesians book is closed for 1948, even before any public announcement is made of his retirement. Naturally, above the 15 outside seasons, there are others reserved for Elmendorf Farm, and Mrs. Widener thought it would be a fine idea if she offered one of these Elmendorf services with the entire proceeds to go to the Damon Runyon Memorial Fund. Hardly had the announcement been made when Neville Dunn, popular editor of the Thoroughbred Record in Kentucky, made an offer of ,000 and was quickly raised to ,500 by Ira Drymon. It may have been the other way around — Drymon bidding ,000 and Dunn raising him to ,500. However, regardless of which of them made the top bid, it stands. This is one of the most generous offers to aid a great cause and just a few days ago we had a letter from Glen Tomlinson stating, "I have been authorized by Mrs. Widener to place this letter in your hands so that you may have it in your possession as a definite commitment." AAA In his letter to us, Tomlinson stated, "May I add my personal hope that the total contributions to the Damon Runyon Fund may amass a total far in excess of your fondest hopes. Surely your efforts will be justified." This writer wishes to say that he has never gained more satisfaction than he has in the small part he is playing in the Damon Runyon Fund. Just a day or two back, it was announced in this paper that the jockeys and their valets at Churchill Downs had raised 12 in the jockeys room and that a check for the sum was being forwarded to us. We have had assurances from the presidents of three race tracks that they will make a contribution to the fund when their meetings are in progress. AAA Switching to another subject, racing fans were intrigued by the offer of president Jack Kelly of the Atlantic City Racing Association for a match race between Armed, Assault and Stymie on June 7. All three of these handicap stars are eligible for the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park on May 30, but while Assault and Stymie may oppose one another, it is now doubtful if Armed will be sent against them. The Atlantic City race would be a winner-take-all event and the fact that these three horses are fighting to dethrone Whirlaway as the worlds money-winning leader, would lend additional interest to it, but there is little, if any, chance of their meeting on the June 7 date. Of course, Stymie could Dass Whirlaway in the Suburban Handicap, but the season is still young and he would have to keep climbing, as Assault is now not far behind him in the climb up the golden stairs. For some reason or other, match races come in cycles, and this appears to be a perfect year for such affairs and especially now among the top handicap stars of the season. We doubt if any international match would excite more interest than a meeting of Armed, Assault and Stymie at a mile and a quarter.
