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m Connors C orner By "CHUCK" CONNORS I Chief of Chart Correspondents BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 11. — Belmont Park was opened in 1905 and the boys and a few girls, who com-___ prised prised the the racing racing set set in in prised prised the the racing racing set set in in those far-off years, pronounced it a white elephant and doomed to failure. The trouble with the situation, was that the vast Nassau County plant was 50 years ahead of its time. Jockey Willie Davis won the first race run over the track astride a trick named Blandy, owned owned by by the the late late m owned owned by by the the late late August Belmont. Davis makes his home in Jacksonville, Fla., and until a few years ago was a member of the official family at Hialeah. Belmont Park survived many trials— two years Inactive by the Hughes Law, a disastrous fire that swept the grandstand, lean years under the oral system—but the men who control and direct the mammoth track never lost faith and today Belmont is one of the scenic racing grounds of the universe. Its stake and purse program is enormous; the quality of horses attracted by the offerings is outstanding, and over its wide velvety strips the best horses in training, for the past 40 years, have stamped their footprints. Belmont is noted for its vast paddock, a park-like affair, its Widener course, named for the late Philadelphian who devoted much of bis time and fortune to improving and bettering the grounds, and a one-mile training track that is beloved by all trainers who make use of that strip. Trainers are agreed that the training track is the best spot to leg up and ready a horse after a winters idleness. The racing scene has changed in recent years. When the grounds were first opened horses ran according to the English style and the chute paralleled the grandstand Instead of bisecting the grounds. The Belmont Stakes, an outstanding prize for three-year-olds, is the climactic offering for that age division of the meeting and Is the third jewel in the prized "Triple Crown." The Suburban, famed in racing history, is for the handicap division, and the roster of other stake offerings for all ages, each year enhance the traditional history of Belmont. George D. Widener, of Philadelphia, Is president of Belmont Park, and the tall, gray-haired, photogenic scion of the noted Quaker City family is carrying on in the footsteps of his predecessors, and each year something new is added for the comfort of patrons, owners, trainers, jockeys and others who make up the racing world. "Belmont Park will be improved each year, striving for perfection, which can never be attained," is Wideners summation of the situation. E. Manzano-Small, who hails from the Argentine and has several horses in training here, will fly to Buenos Aires over the week-end. He plans to be an absentee from the Belmont scene for one week. The trip is a business one. Jockey William Roland, who loses his apprentice allowance Saturday, has another invitation to go televising. "We the People" have requested his appearance before the screen on Saturday. . . . Jockey Hedley Woodhouse was an absentee from the saddle, due to illness. Heres a pretty fair tip on the ages of the younger generation. The class of 1920 of Columbia will hold a dinner on June 17 somewhere on Long Island. George P. "Maje" Odom and Jimmy Kilgoe are members of that class. . . . W. L. Brann, who is at his Glade Valley Farm in Maryland, is due next week for a look-see at some Belmont racing. . . . The railroad strike which stranded C. V. Whitneys Mr. Trouble in Kentucky will, according to observers, have little effect on the eastern scene. Jockey Doug Dodson was much Improved this morning. He kept his nurse on the go digging up some food. . . . Howard Oots, the noted breeder and owner, is here on a few days visit. He came on from Louisville Tony Pelleteri returned to New Orleans following the running of the Derby after deferring his trip eastward. Tony is improving fast following his long winter illness. . . . Gallorette, who in her day dominated the filly and mare division, will be mated to Discovery within the next few days. . . . Trainer Odom reported that the handicap performer, Donor, is doing nicely and will be seen under colors in the near future. . . . Mose Cossman is resting up at his sisters home in Chicago following an active winter at New Orleans. The veteran 1 Continued on Page Eight Connors Corner Continued from Page Two will not be a Belmont Park regular this spring. . . . Matt Brady, who retired from the trainers ranks a little over a year ago, was among the visitors. He is complaining about a dose of housemaids knee. . . . Eddie Madden, who founded the Queens County Blood Bank, reports that progress is encouraging on the plans for a separate bank for racing men. . . . The annual medical examination of the H. M. Stevens Inc., employes was started yesterday by the local track physicians. Tomorrows offerings .to the goddess of chance are: KHAKI in the fifth, ROYAL CASTLE in the seventh, and ARMELLE in the elrhth.
