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REFLECTION NELSON NEW YORK N Y May 12 The Preakness will be something of a novelty in that three Derby winners are fairly certain to face the starter They are Bovard winner of the Louisiana Derby Salmagundi who triumphed in the Santa Anita Derby and of course Citation winner of the Kentucky Derby Year in and out there is an end ¬ less argument as to whether or not early racing is harmful to threeyearolds Citation raced no less than four times at Hialeah during the past winter and even though it is only the middle of May he has made eight trips to the post so far this season Judging by the three hprses mentioned there is no basis for the complaint against winter or early spring racing for members of this division It has always been this writers impression that twoyearolds should be reserved until June or later months before starting their juvenile careers careersA A A A AIn In a year when there is such an outstanding three yearold as Citation it may appear as if that division is below par That does not necessarily hold true The withdrawal of Coaltown from the Preakness leaves a blank to one of the questions that is now puzzling racing fans and that is Could Citation defeat Coal town on a fast track as he did on the sloppy strip of the Kentucky Derby running And again could My Request split them on a fast track It may be a long time before this question is answered in regards to Citation against the other two But the Withers which will be run at Belmont on May 29 may bring a very spirited battle between Coaltown and My Request and it could also be that Better Self will have something to say in this one mile race On the same day they will run the 50000 Jersey Stakes at Garden State Park and there is a very good possibility that Jimmy Jones will decide to send Citation to the Jersey track for this race If there is another meeting between Citation and Coaltown within the next few months we rather think it will be in Chicago at the Washington Park meeting meetingA A A A AWe We are wondering at the moment just how many will answer the bugle for the 100000 Belmont Stakes on Saturday June 12 This event is at the more trying distance of one and onehalf miles Should Citation win the Preakness on the weekend it is almost a certainty that he will also start in the Belmont event which is the third and last leg of the Triple Crown Whirling Fox is now training again and barring the unforeseen it seems safe to say that he will oppose the Calumet colorbearer who has done so much to run horses out of the earlier Triple Crown events Escadru has also been declared out of the Preakness but he too could be a possibility for the Belmont You may recall that last year Jet Pilot was the Derby winner then Faultless took the Preakness honors but it was Phalanx who finally came into his own in the Belmont While Citation has definitely shown that he can go a mile and a quarter there is still a question in the minds of some as to whether or not a son of Bull Lea can run a mile and a half We think Citation will but only the race itself can definitely answer the question questionA A A A AWith With the Preakness at Pimlico and the Gallant Fox at Jamaica large throngs are assured on the weekend But Garden State Park the attractive track at Camden should also draw its share of spectators as the Ran cocas Stakes is likely to attract a high class field of twoyearold fillies Mrs Ada L Rices Mystery Lady was a convincing winner of the Rosedale Stakes at Jamaica and she shapes up as one of the favorites for this event But she will not be without stern com ¬ petition for Louis Primas Pennymaker and still other stake winners are likely to answer the bugle Besides these youngsters there is a good chance that William Helis Floria and the Dell Stables Flower Bed will also be starters To date Flower Bed has won her two starts in exceptional time and in discussing her yesterday Herman Delman said Our filly has done all that we have asked of her but she will be given a true test iu the Rancocas on Saturday It may be that we have a good filly but this race holds the answer answerA A A A AThe The Belmont meeting which will open next Monday promises some of the finest racing to be found any ¬ where in the country Down through the years this beautiful track has attracted the best horses in all divisions and judging by the entries for the 21 stake events that will be contested it will be the same this year In recent seasons the emphasis has been placed on the older horses and that is as it should be Sprinters will open the meeting with the 25000 Toboggan Handi ¬ cap at six furlongs but they will have opportunities also in the 25000 Metropolitan Handicap the 50000 Su ¬ burban Handicap and the 15000 Roseben Handicap which will bring the meeting to a close on Monday June 14 Threeyearolds have always been a feature at the Belmont course and prior to the 100000 Bel ¬ mont Stakes on June 12 they will run the 15000 Swift on May 19 the 15000 Acorn for threeyearold fillies on May 25 the 25000 Withers at one mile on May 29 The 50000 Coaching Club American Oaks will be the most important event for threeyearold fillies and this year it will be run on Thursday June 3
