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R EFLECTIONS nelson dunstan NEW YORK, N. Y., June 11.— The Peter Pan Handicap on the week-end may or may not have disclosed the winner of the Belmont Stakes, but it certainly revealed that Counterpoint has injected himself sharply into the three-year-old picture and that Battlefield can ably carry his speed over one and one-eighth miles, although that does not necessarily say he will still get the one and one-half miles of the Belmont. Classified as an in-and-outer, Counterpoint had the best day of his checkered career, for when any horse can crack a longstanding track record and then go on to complete one and one-quarter miles in 2:02, he must be respected as a sharp contender in the 00,000 race which, at the distance, is a true "test of the champion." Sylvester Veitch, trainer for C. V. Whitney was surprised by the fine showing of his colt, in view of Counterpoints past record, and was credited with saying, "Now I suppose he will run a bad race in the big one Saturday." The Whit-" ney colt carried 114 pounds in the Peter Pan and will have to pick up 12 pounds in the Belmont, as all colts will be equally weighted with 126 pounds Fillies, should any of them go, will carry 121 pounds. But even with the increased weight* a repeat of his Peter Pan performance will make Counterpoint a tough one to beat on . the week-end. AAA Count Turf is undoubtedly a colt they will have to beat and, at this writing, we look for the chief contention to come from Counterpoint and Battlefield. To date this season, no three-year-old has been able to win two major stakes for members" of that division, but as Count Turf Counterpoint Adds Interest to Belmont Count Turf Looms Favorite for Rich Stake Battlefield Must be Considered Dangerous Some Tracks Heads Inter national-Minded won the Kentucky Derby, Battlefield took honors in the, Withers and Countrpoint has won the Peter Pan, a victory for any of the three would be justification for claiming the three-year-old championship. Although he disappointed his followers, Battlefield is still very much in the running. In the Peter Pan, he not only displayed his courage but was running his best in the final furlong at a distance he had not previously attempted. The Greentree Stables Hall of Fame was third in the Peter Pan, but as geldings are not eligible for the Belmont, John Gaver may decide to start Big Stretch, who finished fifth, but who was running fast in the stretch drive. Battle Morn, Pur Sang, Royal Mustang, Mameluke and one or two others may go tbjthe post. Only two opposed Count Fleet in 1943. Last year nine started with Middle-ground»the winner of 1,350. From 5,000 added then, the value has been increased this year to 00,000. AAA Back in the minds of some officials of our racing organizations is a hope that some day soon they can stage a race of international proportions. In Oscar Otis column on this page last Friday, Hugh Blue outlined a plan of Santa Anita to bring weanlings and unbroken yearlings to this country to be leased to selected and responsible California owners whose trainers would take over their development. The last thing this writer would want to do would be to put a damper on any movement to promote international racing, but what Blue and his associates at the Arcadia track hope to accomplish by this particular plan, we frankly fail to see. We have been at the sales ringside on many occasions when foreign yearlings have been offered, but, not until Henry H. Knight, the Almahurst breeder, started selling those by Goya II., Priam U., Adaris and Hierocles, have we seen .any which would warrant being sent against our home-breds, especially in a race which would be classed "international." The Santa Anita people may have a long range view on this point which we fail to understand, but it is our opinion that the only international races in this country which will receive an enthusastic recepton from fans are those such as Zev and Papyrus and the three international specials featuring the French horse, Epinard. e AAA The Santa Anita Handicap has come as close to any race in this country to being international. James Butler endeavored to bring foreign horses here for the Empire Gold Cup, but he finally gave up. Last fall, Ben Lind-heimer of Arlington and Washington Park, was desirous of giving Chicago race fans a truly international event, and with his turf courses, he had what looked like a magnet for owners hr England, Ireland and France. His representatives, however, after contacting foreign owners were not encouraged by their findings. French racing owners have endeavored to lure some of our horses to their country and South Americans tried to attract some of our handicap stars to their lands below the equator for rich races. They have been no more successful than we have been in trying to bring some of theirs here. Continued on Page Thirty-Six REFLECTIONS ! "By NELSON DUNSTAN j Continued from Page Forty international races — and by that we mean those engaging horses who have proven their worth in their own country — have been failures up to this time. In years to come, it may be that such events will be successful, but many difficulties will have to be overcome before it can be brought about. British and Irish owners no longer want to fly their horses here, pointing out that Noor is one example of the fac$ that a foreign racer must be here for nine months to a year before he regains the form which enabled him to win in his own country. AAA • With more than 550 reservations already • made, the Belmont Ball, which is to be held Friday, night at the Turf and Field club at Belmont Park, is an assured success. Tickets are still available, however, and the committee of the New York Cancer Fund is hoping that this years affair will far exceed that of last year. Of every 0 ticket sold, 4 will go to the fight against cancer. The ball is one of the highlights of the racing season on Long Island, and there are many features, which, beyond the social side, will appeal to racing fans. One of these will be a drawing for a bronze sculpture of a horse that Herbert Hazel-tine believes to be the ideal thoroughbred. Hazeltine, who executed the staute over the grave of Man o War at Faraway Farm in Kentucky, studied the various points of many famous horses and from his studies conceived this bronze, which is one of the most unique piece of sculpture to be found in this country. With 4 going to the Cancer Fund, the remaining defrays the cost of the dinner and music and, it may be added that the purchase of tickets is a tax deductible item. Attend it if you possibly can, for the fight against cancer is every ones fight.
