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i I 3tf REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 18. — Down here in the Old Line State the fans appear to be just as puzzled over the Preakness outcome as those in Louisville were about the Derby two weeks ago. The Preakness field will not be as big as that in the classic at Churchill Downs. Not only are are the the first first six six to to finish finish in in the the Derby Derby i I 3tf are are the the first first six six to to finish finish in in the the Derby Derby absentees from tomorrows race, but several who were originally slated to start have been withdrawn. There are many points of interest, however, in this second leg of the "Triple Crown," and one is the question of whether Hall of Fame, Timely Reward, Repetoire and Big Stretch ran below their true form in the Derby and will show improvement in the Preakness. While Battle Morn, who is not in the Preakness, was the biggest disappointment in the Kentucky Derby, the showing of Big Stretch- was also a shock to his many followers. It is curious that a few days before the Derby, Ted Atkinson apparently had a change of mind, for he asked John Gaver, the Green-tree trainer, to switch his mount from Big Stretch to Hall of Fame, with whom he finished ninth. Originally he was also to ride Hall of Fame in the Preakness, but he reconsidered and instead will be on Big Stretch. Mrs. Wallace Gilroys Timely Reward is another one who will bear watching, for her husband, Wallace Gilroy, is convinced that the colt did not like the Derby track. Gilroy has told friends that he expects Timely Reward to be an improved race horse when the bugle summons him post-ward here tomorrow. AAA A day or two before the Derby, the question "who will be the favorite?" was frequently heard. There are many people here who are wondering the same thing about the Marylanders Puzzled Over Preakness Outcome Repetoire May Be Made Post Time Favorite How Many Will Qualify for Belmont Stakes? Mdny Preakness Winners Became Fine Sires Preakness, but it is our opinion that Mrs. Nora Mikells Repetoire will be the most heavily backed contender at post time. This colt by Happy Argo — My Hattie, by Mad Hatter, is a Virginia-bred, yet he won the admiration of Marylanders when he was one of the most consistent two-year-olds in 1950 and continued his winning ways prior to the Derby. At Louisville he led the 19 other contenders at the quarter, and then tired badly and finished twelfth. In view of this there is a question in this writers mind whether the mile and threes-sixteenths will not prove beyond his powers. Even if this be true, it is a certainty he will have a large .following among those in Maryland and Delaware. The Preakness is an open race and we daresay that others will have their full share of supporters at the mutuel windows. AAA It is natural that horses such as Count Turf, Royal Mustang and Ruhe, who were the pay-off trio in the Kentucky Derby, are capable of negotiating the one and three-sixteenths miles of the Preakness. A question of interest in the Preakness renewal is whether it will develop others who are capable of winning such longer events as the Belmont Stakes over the gruelling mile and a half route. Before the Belmont is run, however, the Jersey Stakes at Garden State Park, one and one-quarter miles, and the Peter Pan Handicap at Belmont Park, one and one-eighth miles, may produce others who are worthy of a chance to start. As there is no standout three-year-old up to this time, it is possible that the Belmont will draw one of the biggest fields in many years. The one qualification that every member of the division must show is an ability to race in the long event which has come to be known as the "test of the champion." In most years the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness serve as a fairly true index to the Belmont Stakes field, but the division is so muddled at present that tomorrows race may fall far short of shaping the field for the Belmont. AAA The Preakness, like the Kentucky Derby, was "just another horse race" from its inaugural running in 1873 down to 1920 when Man o War was the winner over Upset and Wildair. While a winner of the Belmont Stakes is considered fine prospect for stud duty, we believe that the high position now held by the Derby and Preakness qualifies them also as breeders races. In 1920 Man o War had proved himself one of the greatest race horses this country has known, if not the greatest of all. Glancing at the list of Preakness winners it quickly will be seen that many of them made good on the breeding farms after their racing careers ended. From 1940 to 1944, Bimelech, Whirlaway, Alsab, Count Fleet and Pensive were winners. Those following them are too early in their breeding careers to have sent their first crops to the races. Assault, winner in 1946, is a shy breeder and, therefore, must be eliminated. But Count Fleet, the 1943 victor, has been little short of a sensation. His County Delight won the Dixie Handicap, and Count Turf added to his fame by winning the Kentucky Derby. A book would be required to tell what Preakness winners have Continued on Page Forty-Eight REFLECTIONS I By NELSON DCNSTAN Continued from Page Fifty-Two accomplished when sent to stud. They have made an indelible imprint on breeding in this country down through the years. AAA It is truly nice to be back at Pimlico for the Preakness and again bask in the memories of other days. Springtime is without question a lovely season, but somehow it carries an added benediction when one comes to Maryland in May. This writer has traveled to many of .the countrys great race courses, some featuring modern design while others are of awesome magnitude. But for a race track that really looks like and is a race track we have to string along with old Pimlico. True, it is outmoded and in time a new and more modern grandstand will replace the present one, in fact, architects are already working on the plans, but it was good news many months ago when Dave Woods told us that the designers of the track-to-come had been instructed to leave the old clubhouse just as it is. It is one of the few remaining links with the racing of our forefathers, and regardless of how modern and beautiful a new clubhouse would be, it would never replace the old edifice, which stands as a monument to the sporting days of old. It has often been questioned which is the oldest — Pimlico, Churchill Downs or Saratoga. In our eyes all three stand for the fine side of racing.
