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BETWEEN RACES * °™ HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., May 26.— The last time we looked, Hollywood Park was up some 4 per cent in attendance and 12 per cent in play, on a day-by-day comparison with last summers meeting. There are some who say that at least part of the increase may be attributed uted to to an an increasing increasing awareness awareness on on uted to to an an increasing increasing awareness awareness on on the part of the management as to what can be accomplished with two-year-olds. It has long been axiomatic that juveniles have always held the role of "poor relations" in the California turf picture, but Hollywood hasnt taken that attitude, and the thoroughbreds them--w-selves have done their part in providing some candidates for honors that have caught the public eye. California racing is so comparatively new that it is only just recently that relatives, or close kin, or homebred stake campaigners have been coming to the races in any number. In addition, about a dozen Californians have been consistent, and, on occasions, liberal patrons of the Keeneland and Saratoga sales, their purchases there more often than not having turned out on the "bright side." A case in point are the nominations for the Hag-gin Stakes, to be decided here June 16. An all-time record number of 88 were nominated, including the phenomenal number for the West Coast of a couple of dozen who have shown real promise. In turn, the Haggin is one of the stakes most coveted by West Coast breeders, for while it is not the richest juvenile stakes on the Coast 0,000 addeds, it has a degree of prestige attained by no other youthful contest. AAA The Haggin is unusual in at least one other respect, Juveniles Help Spark Hollywood Interest Haggin List Demonstrates Breeding Growth Gold Capitol Sulks Missing Derby Chance John Longden blearing His 4,000th Winner and that is that there isnt a single eastern owner represented in the roster, with the border line exceptions of John D. Hertz and Clifford Mooers, both of whom have deep roots in California, although their interests in Kentucky are major. However, both Messrs. Hertz and Mooers have raced so consistently in California and are here so much of the time that Californians have no qualms claiming them as honored citizens. Insofar as Hertz is concerned, his Haggin representatives are Cali-fornia-breds, but those of Mooers are transplanted Ken-tuckians. The only important homebred group missing from the Haggin are those owned by the Chino farmer, Rex Ellsworth, who is developing a flock of Khaleds to unleash at the Arlington-Washington Parks summer meetings in Chicago. The Haggin is at five and one-half furlongs, and takes on- some championship aspects if only for the reason that breeders consider it the first big test of the year for the juvenile crop. Hollywood Park wont consider the affair complete until Louis Lee Haggin II., of Woodford County, Ky., has a representative in the race. This Haggin has promised as soon as he produces a colt he deems worthy of shipping to the West Coast. AAA Owners of Gold Capitol, Californias number one three-year-old of the season, are kicking themselves for not shipping to the Kentucky Derby, and with good Tea- son. On horse-for-horse comparison, using Phil D. as a guide, Gold Capitol would have had a royal chance inasmuch as he ran smartly against the San Felipe Stakes winner, and his good races had real sparkle. In any event, the failure of Gold Capitol to ship has occasioned a change in the policy of the Mrs. Nat Goldstone-Harry Curland turf interests. From now on, all liands will pay more attention to Mrs. Goldstone, who wanted to ship but was overruled by the stable board of strategy. Perhaps the worth of Gold Capitol will not be given the final test until the Maturity at Santa Anita next winter. However, the Goldstone colt will have a real opportunity to prove his merits this summer. Hes definite for the Westerner; the Hollywood Park version of a derby, even though run under allowance conditions, and after that will try his luck against older in the 00,000 guaranteed Gold Cup. The Cup, of course, like the Westerner, is at a mile and a quarter, a sufficient distance, by American standards, to give stamina a workout. AAA It seems like only yesterday that Johnny Longden was feted for riding his 3,000th winner, a new lifetime record for the American turf. Actually, it was three years ago. The last time we looked, Longden had ridden his 3,777th victor, and, if he continues in his present form, should hit the 4,000 mark sometime next year. Longden is wearing about as well as any rider you could mention. Not only has he been in action for more than 20 years, but, since his rise to the top bracket, he has remained there. Few, if any, rider as old as Longden have been able to maintain their form in top competition, i. e., finish in the first 10 on the American turf. Last year Longden rode 224 winners, and while its still quite a way to Continued on Page Thirty BETWEEN RACES- By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty the half-way mark of the year, July 1, he already has well over 100 this year. Matter of fact, interest in racing has been stimulated no little this summer, both here and at Bay Meadows, by a bitter battle for leadership between Longden and his Arch rival of the season, Steve Brooks. The latter is riding at the absolute peak of his career, being, in our opinion, a better reins-man than he was a few seasons ago in Chicago, when he dominated the winners circle. Longden, incidentally, no longer takes the trouble to deny the rumors which crop up every now and then that he will retire. His remark of three years ago, "Ill retire when I cant ride any more winners," still holds true. Longden has said that he might cut down on the number of mounts accepted, but figures do not bear out this gesture toward "semi-retirement," inasmuch as he has accepted just about as many mounts as anyone else. When Longden is offered a mount with a chance, he finds it awfully hard to turn it down. AAA Tommy Taylor has gained a measure of fame in the Golden State as a "one mare breeder," but that mare, needless to say, is a good one. Her name is Just-A-Minute, and, among the three foals she has had to date, is the stakes winner, Patch, and the promising, Stitch. Southern Californians follow the career of the Just-A-Minute offspring with such zest that one Los Angeles turf writer, Hy Schneider, conducted a contest to name her latest offspring, a filly by Mafosta, and received more than 1,000 suggestions. Just-A-Minute will not be bred this spring in order that she may have a rest, an idea which is in line with the theories of Washingtons A. C. Paul. Incidentally, the Paul hypothesis of resting a mare every other year received a world of support in Kentucky, but most people in favor of it did not wish to be quoted because of the economic aspects involved.
