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► JOCKEY EDDIE ARCARO— Will be out to equal Earl Sondes modern record of five Belmont Stakes victories today astride Isidore Biebers Palestinian. Eight Eight N N amed amed for for Belmont: Belmont: Lincoln Lincoln Cards Cards Miss Miss America America Ponder, Capot, Palestinian Vie at Mile and Half Route Derby, Preakness and Jersey Winners Expected to Attract Bulk of Support in 5,000 Fixture; Engel Man and Halt Surprise Entries in Race; Saint Nicholas Midwestern Hope BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 10.— The six thoroughbreds who were expected to dispute the eighty-first running of the 5,000 added Belmont Stakes tomorrow, plus two others who had not been seriously considered as candidates for the classic, were entered this morning. In order of probable favoritism, the three-year-olds named to dispute the championship, at a mile and one-half, are Calumet Farms Ponder, Isidore Biebers Palestinian, Greentree Stables Capot, Clifford Mooers Old Rock-port, Mrs. E. H. Ellison, Jr.s, Sun Bahram, J. Graham Browns Saint Nicholas, Woodvale Farms Halt and Francis Stables Engel Man. The latter two are the surprise entries. All of the candidates will carry 126 pounds. This edition of the Belmont is rich in that "difference of opinion that makes horse racing," to quote Mark Twains immortal Puddinhead Wilson. ►Ponders numerous followers maintain that the mile and a half of the Belmont is made to order for the colt who stormed past his field in the final quarter of the Kentucky Derby, which was a quarter mile shorter than tomorrows third tier of the "Triple Crown." Fast Effort in Jersey Palestinians devoted admirers point to the fact that the Sun Again colt has the speed to stay reasonably close to the pace, was wearing down Capot near the end of the Preakness in which he failed by a scant head, then showed further improvement by easily winning the Jersey Stakes in track record time of 2:01%. Capots loyal backers maintain that only a superhorse, such as Citation, could have finished much better than the son of Menow did in the Peter Pan last Saturday, after stepping six furlongs in better than 1:10. They also maintain that none of the Belmont starters are likely to set any such dizzy pace under the steadying imposts they must carry, as did the feather-weighted Curandero and Cochise in the nine furlongs of the Peter Pan. Those comparatively few who place their faith in Old Rockport and Sun Bahram argue that the first named is a genuine stayer, who will come into the full flower of his glory in the Belmont, while those who like the Bahram colt point to his classic pedigree and steady improvement. Sun Bahrains sire was an undefeated Triple Crown winner in England, while his dam, Suntica, won three Oaks in this country. The colt finished a nose before Ponder in the Preakness, then was beaten only a neck here by the hard-hitting four-year-old Flying Missel in a swiftly run race. Saint Nicholas is an invader from the Midwest, where he came from far back to Continued on Page Three 4 Belmont Stakes Attracts Eight Ponder, Capot, Palestinian Renew Rivalry Over Mile and Half of Westchester Event Continued from Page One be beaten only a half-length by Lextown at a mile and a furlong in his last start. Long shot players declare he was not shipped here for nothing. Not much can be said in favor of Halt and Engel Man. Halt showed definite signs of stamina before the Derby, but failed to reveal much of that quality in the Churchill Downs fixture, and was beaten more than four lengths by Going Away at Suffolk Downs last Saturday. Engel Man has showed enough to qualify as a lead pony in tomorrows post parade. If he should win the Belmont, it would eclipse Jim Dandys triumph over Gallant Fox, Whichone and Sun Falcon in the 1930 Travers as the classic upset of modern times. The roster of Belmont Stakes winners, starting with Francis Morris Ruthless in 1867, is replete with immortals of the turf. During its span at Jerome Park, Kingfisher. Duke of Magenta, Spendthrift, Hanover and Sir Dixon scored memorable victories. Henry of Navarre, Hastings and Commando are best remembered of those who won the Belmont at Morris Park. When the stake was moved to Belmont Park in 1905, Harry Payne Whitneys filly, Tanya, triumphed. In later years, Peter Pan, Colin, Sweep, Hourless, Sir Barton, Man o War, Grey Lag, Crusader, Blue Larkspur, Gallant Fox, Twenty Grand, Omaha, War Admiral, Johnstown, Whirlaway, Count Fleet, Assault and, last year, Citation added luster to the iist. Many splendid thoroughbreds are among those not mentioned in this list of giants. Recall Assaults Year At this writing, there is a general tendency to decry the current generation of three-year-olds, but it should be remembered that King Ranchs Assault, now regarded as one of the best thoroughbreds of this era, was considered only slightly better than mediocre the day he completed the "Triple Crown," and was not even favored for the fixture despite his triumphs in the Experimental Handicap, Wood Memorial, Derby and Preakness. Incidentally, the Belmont Stakes is often referred to as the true United States Derby because it is run under the same conditions as the ancient Epsom Derby, at one and one-half miles, with geldings barred. Actually, it is a much more genuine championship test than the English race. Though run only a week later than the Epsom Derby, the Belmont Stakes follows a long series of elimination stakes, starting with the Flamingo and Santa Anita Derby during the winter, whereas the majority of the starters at Epsom have only appeared in public in two or three races before the classic, resulting in huge fields and a large element of luck playing a part in the running. To return to tomorrows Belmont candidates, it must be said that the leading aspirants have as many detractors as boosters. While Ponder swept past his rivals in the Derby and Peter Pan, observers of the Kentucky classic declare that he had little left after making his one run in the stretch, while his final three furlongs in :38% in the Peter Pan only enabled him to run past horses who were ready to fall down from exhaustion. Colonel Mike, who finished second in the Peter Pan, also came from far back.. Ponder was receiving five pounds from Capot. Consider Capots Case Many observers insist that Capot is essentially a speed horse and refuse to believe that he can get a mile and a half in top company under any circumstances. Ted Atkinson has said that it is impossible to hold the colt when something else sets a fast pace in front of him, but adds that he can be rated if nothing else is capable of setting a murderous pace. The colt apparently requires an unusual amount of work, and his connections believe that his brief rest following the Preakness was enough to have him "short" for the Peter Pan. Following that race, he was sent a stiff mile and a quarter in 2:05% on Tuesday without ill effect. Atkinson was up this morning and said that Capot seemed at his best when he stepped five furlongs in 1:00%. Those casting doubts on Palestinian, assert that he worket too fast when going a mile in 1:38 and some change Wednesday morning, and further point out that he only had 114 pounds up in the Jersey Stakes. Though he was wearing Capot down in the final furlong of the Preakness, the fact remains that he didnt get the job done, after having dead aim on a colt who had been in high gear from the start of that mile and three-sixteenths race. Eddie Arcaro will ride Palestinian tomorrow, with Steve Brooks on Ponder, and Ted Atkinson, as usual, astride Capot. Gor- don Glisson will again be on Old Rockport, Carson Kirk is to guide Sun Bahram, while Harold Keene will pilot Saint Nicholas. Shelby Clark has been named for Halt, but no rider has yet been given the dubious assignment of bringing Engel Man back. Racing secretary John B. Campbell has arranged a brilliant supporting card for the final day of the Belmpnt Park spring meeting, and a throng of more than 40,000 is expected to comfortably pack the Westchester Racing Associations spacious accomodations. On Monday, the scene shifts to Aqueduct for an 18-day meeting, with the Queens County Handicap heading the inaugural program. For those interested, this corner favors Capot, Palestinian and Ponder, in that order, in the Belmont.
