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" BETWEEN RACES * °«™ ore PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 10. — The withdrawal of Olympia from the Preakness did not cause much surprise in turf circles. Olympia, as you prdt ably already are well aware, faltered rather suddenly in mid-stretch in the Kentucky Derby last Saturday to turn in one of the few disappointing races of his career. His owner, Fred W. Hooper, of Montgomery, Ala., took the whole matter rather philosophically, quipping after the race that he supposed he would have to wait for ► his next Kentucky Derby until the progeny of Hoop Jr. attained their three-year-old form, and that from this crop would, perhaps, come the Derby winner of his year. Most everyone will be inclined, we imagine, to agree with Hooper in his opinion that Olympia simply did not run his race in the Derby. "It was perhaps 15 lengths off his best, and Im sure it was as much as 12 lengths," he commented. AAA The defection of Olympia was a signal for turf writers to analyze the Preakness in an entirely new light, and many of them here are in accord that Capot should reign the favorite. Ponders victory, as sparkling as it was, has not as yet convinced a large segment of the turf population that he is Americas number one three-year-old. This group holds to the opinion that while one bad race, such as turned in by Olympia, does not make a bad race horse, neither does one good one entitle Ponder to be rated as really tops. It is quite probably that the Preak- Capot Preakness Choice With Marylanders Preakness Week Events Under Way Tomorrow Hollypark Misconceptions Are Cleared Up J. Edward Welch New Coast Turf Executive ness, in the immediate offing, and the Belmont, further in the future, will decide the matter rather emphatically. The Preakness is at a mile and three-sixteenths, while the Belmont is at a mile and a half. Thus, these two races will provide different tests of distance, and certainly if Ponder runs back to his Kentucky Derby stride, he would be rated as dangerous at most any distance from a mile upwards. AAA The current days well might be termed "Preakness Week." In Kentucky its "Derby Day." The traditions sounding the Preakness have come into being as encompassing a week rather than a day. Certain colorful events, seemingly at their best in Maryland, are geared to the Preakness running. Tomorrow night the Maryland breeders will gather for their annual dinner in the historic old Pimlico clubhouse. This year, something new is in store for the breeders and their guests. Humphrey Finney, field secretary of the organization, has converted his famous picture, "The Maryland Horse," from a silent into a talkie, complete with sound effects. It will be shown to the assemblage. On Thursday, a tradition inaugurated only last year, will see its first anniversary. This is the luncheon, also in the old Pimlico clubhouse, of the Virginia Breeders Association. Among those who will attend this festive fete are C. T. Chenery, president of the Old Dominion State breeders, Mr. and Mrs. Danny Van Clief, and secretary Nick Saegmuller. The breeders will remain during the afternoon as honored guests of the Maryland Jockey Club for the running of the Virginia Horsemens Association Plate, a mile and a sixteenth event for three-year-olds, and which is endowed with a coveted trophy in addition to the purse money. Prior to the luncheon, the lawn in front of the Pimlico club will witness the annual Maryland yearling show and judging contest. Abe Hewitt, a director of the Virginia Horsemens Association, will do the official placing. Spectator interest will be whetted with the proviso that each person may make his or her own ratings, and the person whose judgment most closely approximates that of Hewitt will receive a silver trophy. AAA Reports from the West Coast have it that a veritable army of workmen has swarmed into Santa Anita Park to do a rush job of readying that vast plant, which will play host to the Hollywood Park Turf Club this summer for a scheduled 50-day meeting. An unfortunate blaze put Hollywood out of commission, destruction of the grandstand, clubhouse and turf club being appraised as more than 60 per cent. The wisdom of planning ahead for an emergency was never more clearly demonstrated than by the Hollywood fire, for it was only six months Continued on Page Thirty-Nine i BETWEEN RACES I By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty ago the two tracks signed a contract for a reciprocal exchange of plant facilities in just such a case of dire emergency. Thomas W. Simmons, president of the Hollywood Turf Club, wishes to make three points clear. The first is that the meeting will operate as announced, with all stakes and purses intact. The second is anent the weather. Some folks believe it will be hot during the period of the Hollywood Park operation. AAA "May and June are two of the loveliest months of the year in the Arcadia area," says Simmons. "It really doesnt begin to get hot until August and September, the true summer months in Southern California. You will well recall when Santa Anita raced in the early summer in its first meeting following the war. The weather was positively salubrious. Our meeting will be over before any really hot weather can be anticipated. No one need have any fear of racing at Hollywood at Santa Anita this meeting because of the weaher. The records of the weather bureau speak for themselves in this respect." The third item Simmons wished to emphasize was that the track would be in perfect condition for the racing. "The troubles experienced at Santa Anita last winter," continued Simmons, "will not affect us one bit. We do not anticipate any rain whatsoever, and it was the combination of rain and cold which created the adverse conditions of the winter meeting. Horsemen will be assured of one of the best racing strips in the nation for the Hollywood-at-Santa Anita season." AAA Accompanying president Simmons on his recent trip to the Kentucky Derby, where he received assurances from leading stables that their charges would keep their engagements in Hollywood Park stakes, despite the change in locale, was Hollywoods new assistant director of racing, J. Edward "Eddie" Welch. The new executive will devote most of his duties toward a forward approach to problems affecting management and horsemen. He also will tour the nation from time to time to keep horsemen advised as to the opportunities available at Hollywood for the better type . of horse, and especially the horse eligible 1 for sweepstakes. Welch is well fitted temperamentally for his "good will" or troubleshooting . post with Hollywood. He is one of the best known film writers of recent years, ! having specialized in comedies. He has ! worked for all major studios. Welch has J been interested in the turf as a spectator since his youth. He retired from writing in 1945, and since has spent all his time enjoying ! the races. He is rated rather highly by turf people as a handicapper. We rather believe turf people will like him and that his work will add to the success and [ prestige of the Hollywood Park organization.
