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REFLECTIONS I By Nelson Dunstan Donor Regains Form Displayed in 1946 Howe Gelding Easy Winner of Yankee Royal Lover Promising Three-Year-Old National Stallion Attracts Top Babes NEW YORK, N. Y., May 26. While Phalanx disappointed over 41,000 fans in the Peter Pan Handicap on the week-end, the 33,000 who attended Suffolk Downs saw Donor come back to display the form that made him one of the outstanding two-year-oms oi tne 1946 season. Just beffre the running of the Yankee. Oscar White, who was saddling the favorite, Loyal Legion, said to this writer, "I am of the opinion that the three-year-olds are a very ordinary group." Few will now disagree with that statement. Last year Donor was called "the ugly duckling," and from the angle of conformation, he is still that, but the manner in which he won the Yankee, under a million-dollar ride by Jessop, left us with the thought that he will mmmmMsmami: prove iroUDiesome lO Wie eabiem wucc- year-olds, and especially, so when Faultless goes to Chicago. Donor is a gelding and is not eligible for the Belmont Stakes, but he will catch up with the eastern three-year-olds in such events as the Kent and the Diamond State Stakes, which are the principal three-year-old features at Delaware Park. After the running of the Yankee, Oscar White said, "Loyal Legion could not beat Donor last year, and it now looks as if he may not do it this year." We might add to that, that we can think of quite a few three-year-olds who will not beat Donor this year. The real surprise of the Yankee Handicap was the Marlet Stables Royal Lover, who finished second, three-quarters of a length in front of Atomic Power, with the latter followed by End of Strife, Loyal Legion, Jobstown and two others. When it is taken into consideration that this is the first time this colt by Mahmoud raced as a three-year-old, and that he was only once under colors as a two-year-old, his effort was suggestive of better things in the races to come. He is an eligible for the Belmont Stakes on the week-end, and is also named for the Kent at Delaware Park. Both Atomic Power and End of Strife were in early trouble in the Yankee, in fact, Atomic Power, a favorite with New England fans, really did not get a chance to run until the field came into the stretch. Then he closed with a rush to come from fifth position to finish third. End of Strife had to be taken up sharply at the first turn and then, just when it appeared that he was going to challenge those in front of him,he faltered to finish a nose behind Atomic Power. Regardless of all this, no credit whatsoever can be taken from Donor for, even though he had a seven-pound advantage over the top-weight, Atomic Power, he was pounds the best horse in the race that netted his owners an even 5,000. Brabancon is fast becoming the "problem child" of the three-year-old ranks. He has yet to win a race this year, but in his eight starts to date, he has been second on five occasions and third once, competing at all times against the best in his division. This son of Quatre Bras n. Maradadi, was bred by Walter P. Chrysler, and although he has won only four races in his entire career, he has earned over 4,000. He is not the first horse, by any means, to meet the best in his division, always giving a good account of himself and yet lack that something which is the difference between the winners circle and second money. In his first three starts this year, he ran second to Secnav, Faultless and Cornish Knight. Just a week ago, he was second to Faultless in the Withers Stakes and now, second to the surprise winner, Tailspin, in the Peter Pan. But, in that race he was ahead of Phalanx and eight "other of the more highly-regarded three-year-olds. In a year such as this, when the three-year-olds are beating one another, he may suddenly find himself and get over his "always a bridesmaid, but never a bride" complex. The S20.000 Top Flight Handicap, to be run on Wednesday, will be the first of the four important races that will bring the sport at Belmont Park to a close. On Friday, the Suburban Handicap will, undoubtedly, draw one of the largest throngs of the season, but whether it will top the 60,631 that were on hand to see Armed win last years running remains to be seen, although this figure would very possible, should both Stymie and Assault answer the bugle. It seems safe to say, however, that the attendance on Saturday, when the National Stallion Stakes will be run, will soar above last years figure of a 43,599, although the defeat of Phalanx in the Peter Pan Handicap undoubtedly will lessen the interest in the Belmont running. This may be made up by the National Stallion Stakes, for although Royal Blood appeared a champion in the making, his defeat by My Request in the Juvenile Stakes was evidence that he was not the standout that many rated him a few weeks jigo. There are still many beautifully-bred two-year-olds who are still to make their first start, and it could be that this particular race will draw some who will inject further interest in the juvenile situation. Last Wednesday we stated in this column that Louis B. Mayer had refused an offer of 00,000 that was made by a syndicate, headed by Leslie Combs II., for the stallion, Alibhai. Following that, according to Neil S. McCarthy, an offer of 00,000 was made and this, too, was refused. Combs is now forming a new syndicate, with the idea of purchasing Alibhai, and 40 mares of their own selection from the Mayer Farm, Combs stated, "We are not making a flat offer for Alibhai, but will make our offer for Alibhai and 40 of the Mayer broodmares. Whether the price we offer will be acceptable to the MGM executive remains to be seen. We intend to make this offer within the next week or 10 days." While it is fairly certain that Mayer has permanently withdrawn from racing, it is known that he is keenly interested in the breeding of thoroughbreds. His farm at Perris, Calif., has been offered for sale, but should . the price fail to come up to his expectations, it would not be surprising if he retained it and continued to breed horses, although on a smaller scale than he has heretofore. Although L. B. Mayer realized over ,500,000 for the sale of his horses-in-training, his present thoroughbred assets, including the farm, are considered to be valued at well over ,000,000.
