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BETWEEN RACES * «c« om HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., May 29. — Jimmy Jones informs that three of the most famous mares in the nation, Bewitch, Two Lea and Wistful, are destined for retirement to Calumet next spring, an arrangement certain to strengthen the already powerful broodmare band there, there, which which has has been been cut cut to to 50, 50, and and there, there, which which has has been been cut cut to to 50, 50, and and which, we understand, will continue at about that figure during the immediate years ahead. Bewitch is a daughter of Bull Lea — Potheen, the latter having been designated as "Broodmare of the Year." Wistful is a daughter of Sun Again — Easy Lass, the latter also having been r honored as "Broodmare of the Year." Two Lea is by Bull Lea — Two Bob, and the latter has produced Twosy, enough to give her a measure of lasting fame even had not Two Lea came along later. There is just a chance that Two Lea may be raced next year, but Jones says she is probably for the farm, while Bewitch and Wistful are certain. Their racing careers will continue through the summer season at Arlington-Washington Parks, and perhaps even through Belmont Park. "Bewitch would have been retired last year," explains Jimmy Jones, "excepting for the fact that our racing stable just about fell apart, and we needed some horses capable of running in stakes. Although Bewitch is now six, she has not * been overly campaigned, and will need little cooling out on the farm before being mated." Bewitch has some sort of a chance to surpass Gallorette as the leading money-winning American mare, for she will have many opportunities before Belmont closes next fall. Gallorette earned 4,535 and currently is seventh on the all-time j Bewitch, Wistful, Two Lea to End Careers New Hollywood Camera Proves a Sensation Overhangs Track on Boom for Start Films Belmont of the Bushes Opens on Saturday monetary list. Bewitch has earned 05,155, and about all she needs is a 0,000 stakes win, or a pair of twenty-fives, to make up the difference. Bewitch currently is ninth on the list. AAA Hollywood Parks Puett starting gate has been painted white and an unusual camera arrangement made to take special pictures of the start. This is an overhanging "boom" patterned after a Hollywood studio "mike" which is suspended over an actor, out of camera range. The camera is operated by remote control, and prior to the start of certain races, the device is swung out high in the air in front of the gate. Then, when the race is in progress, swung back into the infield. The horses are unaware of its presence. To date, only two. of the boom devices are in use, one at the six-furlong chute, the other on the main track at the mile and a sixteenth pole. The boom and cleverly concealed camera are so inconspicuous that few of the patrons at the track have even noticed it. We refer, of course, to the one directly in front of the stand. Wendell Cassidy, presiding steward, tells us that photographic results so far have been astonishing good, but will make no report on his findings until after he had ample time to analyze the films. Indications are, however, that some progress will be made which will lead to improved starting, especially the elimination of assistant starters in the stalls. The films have hinted, or given clues, that such goal is not unattainable. AAA The overhanging boom, and the painting of the gate so that the horses would make a stark contrast with their background, was an idea of Cassidys, and perhaps is the greatest experiment Hollywood Park has tried since it pioneered in the film patrol pictures. When we say pioneered, we perhaps mean the development of the modern film patrol, for some attempts to record phases of a race in film were made as far back as 1924 by New Yorks Marshall Cassidy. As we have noted before, Hollywood Parks management, headed by vice-president Jack F. Mackenzie, is always willing to try something new. Some of the experiments havent panned out, as for instance, the performance observer system, but even though this was a failure, it pointed the way to the performance analysis department, which has been of considerable use to the stewards and which perhaps has resulted in more formful racing, in turn of benefit to the public. The gate started out with several coats of white enamel, but the glare of the sun sometimes got in the eyes of starter Sid Swanson, and it was changed to a dull white, or a color not so glossy as enamel. It is possible, too, that the idea of an overhanging camera way out on the track will point the way towards other improvements. Hollywood technicians inform us that the absolutely ideal photo finish picture would be one over the track, not facing it. The degree of accuracy in the present photo chart is infinitesmally correct, and is close enough for Continued on Page Thirty-Seven BETWEEN RACES I By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty-Eight all racing purposes, but if you argue pure photographic theory, the Hollywood lens experts are in favor of the overhang. AAA Last year, this tourist made a trip from Belmont Park to Brush, Colo., and the natty little plains track so intrigued us that we callled it "The Belmont of the Bushes." The Colorado people have officially taken over that title, and now so advertise themselves. Heres the way they describe Brush, which opens Saturday: "The Belmont of the bushes is where Charlie Swikert ran the famous gray, Pat Crow. Previous to the seven days of racing, the incoming horsemen and local citizens get acquainted and have fun — western country style. Coloradoans are proud of Brush race course, in its pastoral setting of shade trees. Brush had scheduled thoroughbred racing in 1924. It was the iirst ! to hold a meeting under Colorados new racing law. Its a community affair with traditions as deep-rooted with Brush folks as is the great Belmont Park with its historic background." AAA Horsemen are then advised: Citizens of Brush provided money with which to inaugurate the 1950 season with a bang — and a cloud burst. Ten inches of water covered the course. The citizens rolled up their sleeves and pumped out the water, and the program went on. As a community affair, * most of the stores close on race day. While minimum purses are only 00, Brush offers a warm-up for Centennial Parks mile course. Some mighty good horses have started their careers at Brush." When this writer was at Brush on this opening day, we marveled at the way the track, was cleared of water. Pumps were manned all over the place, and the early races saw jockeys steering their mounts away from the lakes, which tended, to deepen near| , the inner rail. But by mid-afternoon, all the lakes had disappeared. It had rained so hard that morning the water simply could not drain off of its own accord. So the customers pitched in to help the management get the track in raceable shape. Brush is far from Belmont in physical appearance, but it has that intangible spirit, or perhaps tradition, which makes it one of Americas outstanding race courses. The exact race days were last Saturday, Decoration Day, June 2, 8 and 9, and, possibly, June 15 and 16. The Colorado Derby, purse* 00, at a mile, which will highlight the entire meeting, is down for decision on the afternoon of the 9th. I
