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►~ u Connors Corner By "CHUCK" CONNORS Chief of Chart Correspondents PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 19. — Twenty, eight and four, those old-time bookmakers quotations, shape up today more than ever as the symbols of the fields for the "triple crown." Twenty went postward for the Derby, eight for the Preakness and, from a glance into the future, four will about be the number for the Belmohe Stakes. This longest and most searching test of the final member of that studded diadem will be contested at Belmont Park next month. There is a possibility that one or two horses who passed up the Derby and Preakness may measure strides in the Belmont. They are George D. Wideners Battlefield and J. J. Colandos Uncle Miltie, the top weights in John B. Campbells Experimental ratings. Battlefield came back to the races the other day in the Swift Stakes and his effort impressed observers, while Uncle Miltie is down on the f arm near Red Bank, N. J. There is little news of this colt beyond the statement that he is doing nicely. The Withers, which will be con-i tested next Saturday, will in all probabili-j ties eliminate several more from the Bel-I mont Stakes and there is little chance that j the westerners who raced in the Derby will make the trek eastward. However; on that score there is always the matter of prestige and the added monetary reward. According to reports from New York, Count Turf, the Derby winner, will go postward in the Withers. Trainer Mulholland stated that Battlefield would be a starter, John Gaver has confidence in Big Stretch, while Battle Morn is an uncertainty. Casting about for some other starters is not an easy task, although there are numerous eligibles. Several of the boys who rode in the Derby gave the local plant the once over during the morning hours and remarked that from all appearances they would not have to contend with the disadvantage of dust that they encountered at Louisville. Arcaro pointed out that the dust was bad and forced not only him, but several other riders in the race to peer for openings that usually loom up at a quick glance. That some action on this menace is contemplated is assured, for the subject will be discussed at a meeting of the Jockeys. Guild.. One jockey stated that there are too many risks on a fast track in a big race without adding the extra handicap of saving a little water by not sprinkling the track. Local officials this morning were bemoaning the change in the weather conditions from hot to cool with the prospects of showers. Evidently they overlooked the fact that Big Bill Knapp had named Three Rings for the week-end fixutre, the Metropolitan at Belmont Park. Three Rings, the paddock boys declare, is the best rain bringer of them all. Yancey Christmas, of the clan from down in Southern Maryland, is advocating a return to the old days. He is campaigning for an allowance for geldings. Evidently the old boy has one that may bear some watching. . .Joe Keith, Dixie McKin-ley and Owen Campbell deserted the Blue Grass country for a look-ee at the Preakness. They brought the news that Jack Howard is recovering in health but that the old Scot Alec Gordon passed up the trip for business reasons. He has several mares due to foal and wants to be on_hand at the time. Clem McCarthy, of the radio waves, was giving the old place the once over yesterday, he has been doing that for many years, but this lime came up with a boner that if it had happened in the days of Uncle Billy Riggs, boys, lookout.. Pimlico has the names of the winners of the big stakes, the Dixie, Preakness and Fur turity, painted on the panels that are part of the front" of the grandstand. The man delegated to paint in the name of Chacolet turned it around and lias it spelled Chaco-lot. Dave Woods promised to have the matter repaired. Chacolet won the Dixie in 1924.. .C. V. Whitney, whose Counterpoint was well regarded for the Preakness, was forced at the last minute to alter his plans and cancel his reservations. . .J. Samuel Perlman, publisher of Daily Racing Form, was on hand for the big day. J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson, a pair of fellows pretty well known around . the country, came over from Washington for the afternoon. . .The office furniture, benches and track maintenance equipment that was used at Havre de Grace is pretty well divided among Laurel and Pimlico, with a couple of nearby farms, securing harrows. . .A scale model of the I Continued on Page Thirty Connors Corner Continued from Page Five proposed new grandstand to be built, when and if, is on display under the grandstand. This exhibit led Joe Palmer to remark that Pimlico has a model, while Empire City has portable plans. . . John Sloane came over from Nek York for a look-see and a forecast " for the Belmont. . .Trainer Bert Mulholland was joined by the missus and his boys early in the morning and they brought along an assortment of luck charms... The New York invaders for the Preakness will be vanned back to their respective menages at Belmont Park on Sunday. Trainer Pres Burch named a couple of the Brookmeade horses for the Hollywood Gold Cup. Might fly a starter out for the big race, it all depends. . .Tommy Sheehan, of the New England Sheehans, came down to extend greetings to all from that part of the country... J. Merryman Black, one of Marylands veterans in the racing picture, was on hand early for the big day. . . Mike Flynn, the Washington editor, deserted his desk to do some cheering for his choice. He rarely misses a Preakness... Harry Isaacs, the Baltimore merchant, declared it a holiday and came out early. . . Chester F. Hockley came in early to say hello and do a little silent cussing at the weather. . .The Senate was represented by Wherry and Murray, who motored over from the Nations capital at an early hour . . .George P. Mahney, former chairman of the Maryland Racing Commission, made his appearance early. He was an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate last fall in these parts.. Mrs. Nora Mikell defied the jinx and came down from Delaware to see her Repetoire. She had never seen him win a stake offering. . Six of the jockeys in the Preakness were invaders from other sectors. McLean and Boulmetis were looked upon as regulars at Pimlico. The selections are: JEANNIE C. in the first; FENMOUSE in the fourth, CECIL M. in the fifth.
