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JUDGES STAND *y charles hatton DETROIT, Mich., May 26.— The question of an equitable purse distribution came up at Hazel Park last summer, and it has been raised again this spring at Detroit. Several columns ago it was noted that the "Trend" was up less sharply at this point than in other areas during 1950 and that the Michigan Racing Association was resuming this spring with the same purse scale. The executive committee of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association requests a conference with Detroit officials after the first 14 days to discuss distribution on the basis of this trial run. In making its. request, the committee compares the MRA distribution with that of other major tracks, but says that in keeping with the policy established by the committee last year it is willing to go along and see what the trend will be these first 14 days. Personally, we cant see what the distribution in Chicago or New York has to do with Detroits operation. For that matter, there is frequently a marked difference ,in the overhead and initial investment among tracks in the same city. But the one of the HBPAs approach is not unfriendly, contains no ultimatums, and it is earnestly to be hoped that there will be no misunderstanding. We have the impression that the management of the new ,000,000 course would like nothing better than to offer a program such as that which cost it about 50,000 worth of red ink in 49, if and when racing here can be developed to the point it will support such a schedule. AAA Charley McLennan writes the script for the sport here. He is not unlike his late father, Little Joe McLennan, in that he believes variety is the spice of a program, and the local cards have all the variety possible to achieve with the material on the grounds. At the present time McLennan serves as the racing secretary at Hialeah, Bowie, Laurel and Pimlico, as well as at the Michigan Racing Associations course. Incidentally, we learn that Pimlico isnt the only track which has a rule providing a weight allowance for horses competing in purse and claiming races at a mile or farther if they HBP A, MRA Heads May Confer on Purses McLennan Strives for Variety of Races Jamaica BWI Star Training at Chicago Matron Response Gratifies Lindheimer havent won at such a route. All of the McLennan tracks have this encouragement to develop more talent for races at the more popular distances. Delaware Park and Randall, where Gil Haus is racing secretary, strive toward the same end with a series of route events having progressively richer purses. Racing has a way of becoming pretty dull and monotonous wherever the gate is hauled into the six furlongs chute to remain all afternoon. AAA Chicagoans may ree rather an interesting horse from Ireland, by way of England and Jamaica, B. W. I., within the next few weeks. This is the five-year-old chestnut stallion, Rock Tavern, a prospect for Arlington and Washington races, and the next Santa Anita meet. Rock Tavern is owned by Oswald M. Steele, whos a plantation owner and steward of The Jockey Club in Jamaica, and was flown last April to Miami, a distance of about 800 miles. He is by Nasrullah out of Iceland, by Bobsleigh, who is in turn out of Toboggan. Thus he combines the sire line of Noor with the family of Citation. He raced in England for Lady FitzWilliam and made four starts, finishing first, second and third in three of them. Steeles agent, Leonard Stone, supposes that his second in the Guy Stakes for two-year-olds at Newmarket, was his best showing in England. Shipped to the British West Indies late in his three-year-old form, Rock Tavern ran three times in handicaps there, winning one at a mile and a quarter on the turf under 137 pounds. Ralph Conino is training him at Washington Park. Stone tells us that Rock Tavern showed some creditable trials on a sand training track at Knutsford Park, Kingston, which is Jamaicas most important course. The racing there is conducted much like our own, and the horses are nearly all from England or Ireland. _Ray Johnstone, Charley Smirks, W. HCarr and the Wragg brothers have ridden there during the winter season in England. Ben Lindheimer tells us he is highly gratified by response to the Matron, which was increased to 0,000 added this season. It has 39 eligibles, among them Next Move, Bewitch, Heres Hoping, Gaffery, Lithe, Aris Mona, How, Aunt Jinny, Sickles Image, Plyamanita, Miss Highbrow and Jacodema. The Matron is to be decided July 14 at a flat mile. A few columns ago it was observed that "there is quite a quantity of quality for filly-and-mare stakes and this was reflected in response to The Acorn. Though it attracted How, who ran like a standout in the Kentucky Oaks, 23 were named to oppose her, the race was split, and she was beaten in the division. We should be inclined to excuse Herman Delmans plucky little filly that one however. It was the first time in her career she was unplaced and it is doubtful if the muddy Kentucky spring and her temperature before the Oaks improved her. How impresses us as having the temperament of a good mare. She does not look for trouble, but will "kick the shortening out of a cake" when there is provocation. Those one can push around do not usually amount to much. AAA Turf ana: Jack Drees will air the Maxim vs. Charles scrap at Chicago on May 30. . .Shy Guy bruised a hoof and is turned out at Dixiana. . .Coleman Kelly advises the first four in the 2,000 Guineas were bred in Ireland and that the winner, Ki Ming, is a mere 17 hands, two and one-half inches. . .Arlington track super, Brinkman, opens the main track this week. . .Newcomers at Arlington include Dave Toochins Cherry-Oca Stable, with the Argentine-bred, Cuore; F. A. Murrays Murray Hill Stable, Mrs. H. B. Bonner and the Chicago gear manufacturer, Maurice A. White. Tommy Root returns there this summer with, the W. M Wickham, W. J. Walden and H. D. Cornell horses. . .The turf writing fraternity was well represented at Bishop Sheils dinner the other night in Chicago. We were surrounded by Maurice Shevlin, Dave -Feldman, George Swift, Harry Sheer, Joe Agrella and the editors, Bell Becker, Sandy Shub and Joe Rein.. . . Jack Hodgins will- be at Delaware Park to saddle Astro for the Oaks.
