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REFLECTIONS *y NELS0N «ms™n NEW YORK, N. Y., June 9.— Racing reaches another milestone next Saturday when no less than seven stake events will be staged at various tracks throughout the country. Here in New York, the 00,000 Belmont Stakes will be the feature event and, with the Peter Pan Handicap now on the record books, the race •which is the third leg of the "Triple Crown" should go far in pointing out the potential three-year-old champion of the year. The Belmont must be classed among the greatest events staged on the American turf, if not in the world, for probably no race is so closely associated with the leading sires through the 80-odd years of its existence. On any list of the 10 or 20 top race horses raised in this country, Belmont winners would be on it. Among them were Duke of Magenta, Hanover, Commando, Colin, Sir Barton, Man o War, Grey Lag, Twenty Grand, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Count Fleet, Assault, and Citation. In the late afternoon next Saturday, the name of another horse will be on the Belmont beadroll. Whether or not he can be classed with those mentioned, he will take his place as one of the best three-year-olds of 1951. AAA Eddie Arcaro has created a unique record in being tile only jockey to win four renewals of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. But to be the top jockey in the Belmont Stakes, he still has quite a feat to accomplish. He is credited with four victories on Whirlaway, Shut Out, Pavot, and Citation, but before the turn of the century, Jimmy McLaughlin, one of the peerless riders of the eighties, made a record that has stood for over 65 years. From 1882 to 1888, a period of seven years, McLaughlin Racing Nears Another Milestone of Season Belmont Stakes Feature Event at New York: Jockey McLaughlins Unique Record Stands Kiss Me Kate Tops Field in Delaware Oaks scored in six renewals. Earl Sande, who was one of the best, if not the best, of his years, came close to McLaughlins mark when he won the Belmont with Grey Lag in 1921; Zev, 1923; Mad Play, 1924; Chance Shot, 1927, and Gallant Fox, 1930. It took Sande nine years to accomplish what McLaughlin did in seven. Arcaro rode his .first Belmont winner in 1941, the year in which he won the "Triple Crown" with Whirlaway. While he may yet tie the record established by McLaughlin, no man has been able to tie the latters feat of winning three Bel-monts in a row, losing one, and then coming back to win three more in a row. McLaughlin had to be good as he rode for the Brooklyn "butcher boys," the Dwyer Brothers. AAA — The coming week-end could be very important in the career of the sire Count Fleet, who is undoubtedly the most sensational of all stallions this year. His son, Count Turf, is certain to have a large following in the Belmont Stakes, but C. V. Whitneys Counterpoint is another of his soris who will have to be respected in the one and one-half mile event at Belmont Park. Although Bold won the Preakness by seven lengths from Counterpoint, the latter may run a much improved race in the Belmont. At Delaware Park, the 5,000 Delaware Oaks, which is at a mile and a furlong, will be the feature. While Herman B. Delmans How was the winner of the Kentucky Oaks and Coaching Club American Oaks, Astro, who ran second to her at Churchill Downs, and Kiss Me Kate are possible starters at the Wilmington track. At the shorter distance, Kiss Me Kate, who is one of the fastest of her sex this year, may prove a tough one to beat. No less than 56 owners made the final payment for the Oaks, and while a good-sized field is certain to go to the post, Kiss Me Kate shapes up as the one they will have to beat. Since the Delaware Oaks was inaugurated in 1938. it has been . won by some of the best three-year-old fillies of their years, including such an outstanding trio as Vagrancy in 1942, Gallorette in 1945 and last year, A. G. Vanderbilts champion, Next Move. AAA There will be little respite for the three - year - olds after the 00,000 Belmont Stakes. This event will score heavily in the ratings for the sophomore championship, but the month of June is still rich in events for members of the division. On June 18, the Yankee Handicap at one and one-quarter miles will be renewed at Suffolk Downs, on June 23 Delaware Park will feature the 5,000 Kent Stakes, and at Monmouth Park sprinters in the three-year-old ranks will have their innings in the Select Handicap at six furlongs. In the Chicago Area, Arlington Park will stage the Warren Wright Memorial Stakes on June 27, the first running of an event named in honor of one of the foremost owners and breeders of the present century. At Hollywood Park on June 30, the feature will be the 5,000 Westerner at one and one-quarter miles, and the same day here in the East, Aqueduct will offer the 0,000 Shevlin Stakes at one and one-sixteenth miles. While the three-year-old ranks have been depleted for one reason or another since the running of the Ken- Continued on Page Forty REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty-Four tucky Derby, there are still many rich events this month and in the months ahead for the sophomores. » A A The Handicap stars will, be busy from next Wednesday, when the 5,000 Massachusetts Handicap will be run, through July 14, when the 00,000 Hollywood Gold Cup will be decided at the California track. Many important events for older horses will follow, of course, but within the next month there will be marked changes in the list of money-winning owners. On May 25, the Brookmeade Stable of Mrs. Dodge Sloane was on top with 31,955. Anita King and Gus Luellwitz weTre second with 13,885. Brookmeades Greek Ship will engage in the Hollywood Gold Cup. He will fight it out with Moon Rush, the horse responsible for placing the partnership of King and Luellwitz second on the money-winning list. Both horses have been assigned top weight of 126 pounds. Calumet Farm is third on the money-winning list with 85,640 and it has no less than four eligibles for the Hollywood Gold Cup, Citation, Coaltown, All Blue arid Bewitch. The eyes of the racing world will be on this race, for Citation, who is in with 120 pounds, will be making his biggest bid of 1951 to become the first horse ever to win one million dollars. Should "Big Cy" be the wilier, he will go far above the figure that has been the goal of the Calumet forces since he attempted his present comeback.
