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I BETWEEN RACES I By Oscar Otis Faultless Favored for Belmont Kelley Issues Stakes Brochure Crucible for Breeding Prospects Hollywood Boasts Natty Booklet HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., May 30. It probably would surprise few if Faultless galloped in the Belmont Stakes tomorrow, and should he so do, few if any could "fault" his claim to the rating of the leading three-year-old of the year. And just as this writer went along with the Calumet silks in the Ken-tucky Derby and Preakness, so we are stringing along with the son of Bull Lea Unerring in the gruel ling mile and a half of the Belmont. Although beaten by Jet Pilot and Phalanx in the Derby, over an "off" track, Faultless since has come back to humble both in convincing fashion. Faultless has earned 13,670 to date, and a win in the Belmont would elevate him to stratospheric heights among the three-year-old money winners. Money, as often has been pointed out, is not a true and all inclusive test for the merit of" a horse, but it is a leading factor in determining worth. Here on the coast, when Seabiscuit was forging his way toward the money-winning championship of the world, a mark since surpassed, the cry often was raised, "who did he beat?" and the only obvious answer was, "well, just about whoever he met." If this indeed be a mediocre crop of three-year-olds, then Faultless is just the best of the lot. However, Faultless won the Preakness and Withers in such convincing fashion, leaving the writer with the impression that he had something left in each race after crossing the wire, that I for one will not attempt to pass judgment on his. intrinsic merit until after 1 the Belmont, 2 after the running of the Chicago classics this summer, and 3; assuming he continues on in his present good form, until he gets into the hands of the handicappers. AAA Bob Kelley, the bell ringer for the New York Metropolitan tracks, has issued a brochure of 73 pages, plus a supplement of the tabulated history of the Belmont Stakes, which deals solely with the Belmont, its traditions and of the personalities who built Belmont into the fine and outstanding track it is today with its bulging roster of historic stakes. The brochure is full of interesting items, and we mention a few: The Belmont is the oldest of any sweepstakes on the continent, barring a pair, having been inaugurated in 1867, and the only break in its running occuring in 1911 and 1912. Our California friends will be happy to read that while the Golden State has supplied but one winner in the Kentucky Derby and one in the Preakness, breeders out this way have furnished two Belmont winners; Man o Wars Belmont was the last to be run clockwise, the next year, Grey Lags the race being run counterclockwise over the main course: The generally accepted parade to the post is accounted a Belmont innovation, in the year 1871. : AAA Much has been written about the Kentucky Derby and Preakness as crucibles for breeding prospects, and with good reason. In this same category, the Belmont ranks right with them. According to the brochure, no less than eight winners of the Belmont Stakes have become leading sires, two which finished second also attained that status, and one which finished third also led the league. These horses, among them, led the list for a total of 21 years. The list of winners includes Hanover, Sir Dixon, Hastings, Commando, Sweep, The Finn, Man o War, and War Admiral. Last years winner was Assault, currently at the top of the handicap heap in America, and, unless things change considerably, probably the new money-winning champion of the world. The brochure, incidentally, is liberally illustrated with stories of some of the great victories, including those of Assault and Man o War, ! by facsimile reproduction of the front pages of the New York Daily Racing Form. AAA Speaking of brochures, one of the finest ever to come to our attention was on our desk in the press box here at Hollywood Park on arrival from the East. Al Wesson, the good will man for Hollywood, has put together a 58-page booklet, much of it in color, which is one of the standouts of modern racing public relations. Indeed, the lavish gatherings of news and fact was one of the developments of the Western tracks, and although the idea is not new, the coastal ovals did much to develop them to their present high plane. Indeed, in the I last two seasons, Hollywood has done much to popularize racing in this area by distributing extra copies to the public, and demand for past brochures has been heavy. AAA Horses and People: That Maryland syndicate which owns Occupy will be happy to learn that the mare, Mint DMia, used as a test to prove his potency here on the coast before the deal was closed which saw him transferred to Maryland, is in foal. l ... Cabbage Unkraut, who galloped the horse for his former owner, Abe Hirsch-berg of San Francisco, says Occupy is the most intelligent horse he ever handled. . . . Chesterton, winner of the 1946 Hamble-tonian, is at Bay Meadows for the .Pacific Trot meeting and his presence is expected to enliven harness interest considerably in the San Francisco Bay area.- . . . Beau Pere, now standing in Kentucky, is represented by 24 offspring in the 1947 California Breeders Championship Stakes at Santa Anita, opening-day feature. Beau Pere still has two more California crops coming up. . . . Flaming Beau, the half brother to On Trust and owned by A. E. Simpson of Arcadia, may be tabbed as one of the most promising juveniles on the grounds. Flaming Beau is by Beau Pere, On Trust, of course, being by Alibhai.
