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R E F L E C T I O N S by nelson dunstan NEW YORK, N. Y., June 6.— The much-heralded meeting between Count Turf, the Kentucky Derby winner, and Hold, victor in the Preakness, at Belmont yesterday, developed little beyond the fact that Jack Amiels colt is ready for the Peter Pan. Handicap, one mile and a furlong, this week-end, even though he is now considered a doubtful starter in it. After establishing a comfortable lead, the Brookmeade Stables Bold went wide and was beaten some eight lengths. It developed that he bucked his shins, which may offer some excuse for his performance. The colt is not eligible for the Peter Pan. With both Bold and Count Turf out of it, perhaps the most formidable candidate is George D. Wideners Battlefield. This race will be the acid test for the Widener colt. While he had negotiated the mile of the Withers Stakes, this is the first time he has been asked to go one and one-eighth miles, and on his showing in this race depends his starting in the one and one-half miles of the Belmont Stakes the following week-end. Battlefield was assigned 123 for the Peter Pah, followed by Battle Morn at 120 and Big Stretch 119. The latter was scratched from the three-horse race yesterday when Combat Boots was second to Count Turf by a neck. Combat Boots is not an eligible for the Peter Pan either but the Putnam Stable is represented by Lord Putnam, who has been assigned 111 pounds. AAA Following the Peter Pan, the decks will be cleared for the running of the Belmont Stakes on June 16. Itseems. fairly certain that a small but representative field will Battlefield Awaits Acid Test Saturday Small Field Likely in the Belmont Stakes Cigar Maid Looms Juvenile Filly Champ Goy. Fuller Warren Deserves Salute go to the post. Some people expect only four to answer the bugle, but it is this writers guess that six or seven will be striving for the long end of the stake. Pur Sang, winner of the Peabody Memorial, is eligible and so, too, is Roughn Tumble, who has been on the sidelines for quite a spell. Mrs. Wallace Gilroys Timely Reward is another who has not been in competition, but though doubtful, could be returned to competition in-this third leg of the "Triple Crown." Regardless of the class of the division as a whole, there can be no denying that the sophomore" ranks have flattened out since the running of the Kentucky Derby. Whether Uncle Miltie or To Market will be seen in the Belmont is a question at this writing, but seems certain that Count Turf and Battlefield will meet in the "Test of the Champion." This may be a year when it will take later races to point out the three-year-old champion of the season. AAA The picture may change in the weeks to come, but last Saturday and Monday two fillies made bold chal- lenges for the championship of their respective ranks. Following the victory of Herman Delmans How in the Coaching Club American Oaks, Jack W. Schiffers Cigar Maid, the daughter of Pavot, filed her claim to the two-year-old filly title. Due to the coughing epidemic, only six of the 227 who were nominated for the filly division of the National Stallion answered the bugle. Cigar Maid had previously won; the Fashion Stakes. The Schiffer filly is the one they will have to beat in future races. How will not start in the Belmont, but will probably be seen in the Top Flight Handicap at Belmont on June 20 and the New Castle Handicap at Delaware Park on June 30. In the latter event, which has 0,000 added, many of the top fillies and mares have been "named, including Busanda, winner of the Suburban, and Alfred G. Van-derbilts Next Move, champion three-year-old filly of 1950. Among the three-year-old fillies eligible are Kiss Me Kate, Nothirdchance, Carolina Queen, Ruddy, Who Dini, Jacadema and Vulcania. AAA During recent monthsacing as an institution, passed through one of the most serious periods in its history. It was astonishing that the Florida State Racing Commission framed a ruling delaying the news of horse racing for a period of 20 minutes. It was even more astonishing that the legislature of Florida would pass a gag bill, after racing had contributed so many millions of dollars to the state, which would have reduced the sport in the Sunshine State to its lowest ebb. Had the bill passed, the press boxes at the three Florida tracks would have been practically empty next year, for no reputable newspapers would have sent representatives there. The man who saved the situation was Gov. Fuller , Warren, who placed the welfare of his state above petty politics that have been so obvious in Tallahassee on this question. Many prominent men throughout the country talked with or wired Governor Warren, pointing out to him the dangers of legislation which would have abridged the freedom of the press as well as dealing a body blow to the, treasury of his state. The Governor agreed with Continued on Page Thirty-One REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty them and showed his courage by vetoing the measure. In this instance the people of Florida should salute their chief executive. AAA .Throughout racing circles, there is considerable confusion about the status of the Florida State Racing Commission. After, the House sustained Governor Warrens veto of a bill which would have restricted the publication and dissemination of racing news, the Senate refused to confirm his appointment to the commission. Although it has been rumored for many months that the Senate would refuse to approve a certain member of the commission, it was something of a bombshell when, in a closed session, the upper body refused to confirm the entire slate.. The most embarrassed organization in this impasse is the National Association of State Racing Commissioners, of which Leo Edwards happens to be president, for the reason that he was vice-president when the chair was automatically vacated last January by A. S Drew, of Louisiana. Most of the commissioners throughout, the country are now hoping that Edwards will resign. The others are of the opinion that he will remain in office, come what may. It is a sorry mess, and the members of the commission brought it upon themselves.
