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Top Steeplechasers Go in Corinthian Belmont Fixture Brings Out Eleven Miller Entry of Elkridge And War Battle Vies With Floating Isle, Boojum II. BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 21. The forty-second running of the 0,000 Corinthian Steeplechase Handicap at about two miles, heads tomorrows Belmont Park program and gives promise of being the best of the jumping races thus far offered during the New York season. Eleven have been entered overnight for the stake, headed by Kent Millers Elkridge and War Battle, with 158 and 156 pounds, respectively. The former was regarded in some quarters as the best steeplechaser in action last year, but will be making his 1947 debut. Last year, he won the Grand National here" at Belmont, then finished second to War Battle in the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase. Millers pair will be opposed by a formidable group, including two other sets of couplings. J. E. Ryan will saddle Boojum II. and Raylwyn for Mrs. F. Ambrose Clark and Galactic for Mrs. Esther duPont Weir, while Iron Shot and Pursuit Plane will be coupled as the Miss Ella Widener-C. Mahlon Kline entry. The others are Bayard Sharps Lieut. Well, Thomas T. Motts Floating Isle, Brookmeade Stables Fleettown and Sanford Stud Farms Fair Crystal Lieut. Well trounced Floating Isle with ease in his last Maryland start and the latter, who won the Corinthian two years ago, came back to take the 0,000 Charles L. Appleton Chase with the greatest of ease. Shift In Weights Boojum II., who is expected to appreciate the muddy track in prospect, walked off with the 0,000 International Steeplechase at this meeting, leading War Battle a half-dozen lengths at the wire. War Battle, who set the pace in that race, was carrying the same impost of 156 that he must tote tomorrow, while Jack Cooper has asked Boojum II. to pick up an additional five pounds. It might be enough to bring this pair together. On his best races, which go back a long way, Iron Shot would be a factor. Back in 1944, he finished second to Brother Jones in the Corinthian. The others appear outclassed, but with the slippery footing that is in prospect, anything that can negotiate the fences safely has the chance of profiting by his rivals false steps. The best of the flat races is the Catalina Handicap which follows the Corinthian in the sixth spot on the card. This has drawn a field of six fillies and mares, the best of whom have been beating each other with the steady rhythm of George Wettling on the drums. The Catalina is headed by William Helis Elpis, who scored easily over Joe W. Browns Dorothy Brown in her last appearance. The 1945 Coaching Club American Oaks winner was receiving four pounds from Dorothy Brown in that race and must concede three tomorrow. W. L. Branns Challadette and Wililam Nobles Kay Gibson, who are also in the Catalina, finished fourth and fifth in the race won by Elpis. The other candidates for the Catalina are Alfred G. Vandefbilts Nomadic and Phantom Farms Flame of India. In her race immediately preceding her defeat by Elpis, Dorothy Brown beat Kay Gibson, Elpis and Challadette, among others at Jamaica. Before that, Kay Gibson scored over Elpis at the same track. Dorothy Brown preceded her winning effort by a dismal performance in which she finished last in a race won by War Date, and finished three lengths behind Elpis. Nomadic has been racing well in Maryland and has the speed to be right up with the fillies most of the journey. It shapes up as quite a puzzle.
