view raw text
JUDGES STAND by charles hatton SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass* June 11. — There is a conservative element amongjtrack operators who take a dim view of any display of showmanship, and seem to have it confused with exhibitionism, but we think that on the whole, American racing might have more appeal if it had* more showmen, and Suffolks John Pappas obviously has a flair for it. A few columns ago, it was noted that Massachusetts Day visitors in 1950 were afforded a glimpse behind the scenes in the stable area. Special buses will convey the patrons on a tour of inspection about the stables again this year. Additionally there is. to be a hqrse show, including three-and five-gaited saddle classes, a high-jumping class and a dressage exhibition. This observer covered the revival of racing Down East some years ago, when a thoroughbred, even one like Discovery, was only number four or number six to 99 per cent of the attendance. It seemed to us then that if racing was to really "come back" here, the clubs would have first of all to interest the public in the horses as individuals, and rescue it from becoming a sort of outdoors numbers game. The associations did a good job of this, and still are, as Ben Dario credits Sickles Image with having attracted at least 5,000 of a Lincoln Downs crowd. The horse show doubtless will help to increase the attendance on Wednesday, for there are -many enthusiasts here in New England. Presiding steward William Almy, Jr., will be the judge. Almy used to ride at Brookline and indeed rode in a couple of Maryland Hunt Cups as we recall. He is well qualified to officiate at this show. Incidentally, it is understood that he advocated the grass racing which has proved so popular at Suffolk Downs. AAA The Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association membership now is so large we suppose it is only natural that it should find itself a house divided or many issues. For example, the members of the local division who raced under the 48-hour entry close rule at Lincoln Downs are not entirely satisfied it wouldnt continue to be prac- Pappas Showmanship Benefits Suffolk HBPA Members Disagree on Entry Close Yankee Promises to Draw Classy Field Brinkmans Hints on Care of Turf .Course ticable here. But a majority favored the 24-hour rule. It isnt clear to us why the 48-hour rule is so objectionable, considering that horsemen have been entering on Saturday for Mondays races since the days of Hickory Jim. The HBPA committee explains that if entries are closed at 9:00 oclock the day before the race, "the man who knows his horse will run the next day will have an opportunity * to do whatever he wants in regard to his training before the track closes." At any rate, it is indicated that if he races fail to fill by 9:00 oclock, the 48-hour rule will be resumed. The earlier closing benefits the associations having this regulation, and indirectly the horsemen, thrdugh the additional publicity. AAA Suffolks Massachusetts Handicap will be followed on Monday, June 18, by the 0,000 Yankee Handicap, of a mile and a quarter for three-year-olds, and the candidates include no less conspicuous a colt than the Kentucky Derby winner, Count Turf. At the red-hot moment he is the one to beat for the Belmont Stakes two days earlier, however. And it appears that the starting field will come from among Whirling Bat, Bulverde, Alerted, Pictus, General Staff, Carolina Queen and others of that caliber. The Yankee has brought some of this countrys best three-year-olds of recent years to New England, among them Challedon, Our Boots, Shut Out and Whirlaway. It would be interesting to see Cary Boshamers filly, Carolina Queen, meet" the colts in this mile and a quarter. Staying is her forte, odd as. it may seem in an own sister to Johns Joy and The Doge, and a filly won the inaugural running of the Yankee. This was Ann OTanduley, who was capable enough to beat Whopper. Tommy Mays colt, ■Whirling Bat, a son of Whirlaway, who won the Louisiana Derby, defeated older rivals in the Commonwealth Handi- cap earlier in the Suffolk Downs meet, and is popularly supposed to be the best of the New England three-year-olds. AAA Suffolks turf course is much improved this year. Constructing a satisfactory turf course is a longer, more involved process than you might guess. One of the finest such tracks in this hemisphere is Arlingtons, and Clarence Brinkman says it usually requires about four years to grow a stand of grass suitable for racing. Arlingtons once was a mile dirt training track. Sod was imported from the surrounding area. Dandelion, clover and other broad-leaved species of plant life which tend to smother the grass are killed with "24-D." More than five barrels of this chemical are sprayed on the course annually. Preparation of the turf course for the Arlington meet was begun the day after the close of the 1950 season. The grass was trimmed short and raked* to clear the surface of old grass. It was reseeded while there still was snow on the ground, rolled after the spring thaws, again seeded and fertilized. The height of the grass is important to owners, and Brinkman cuts it weeks in advance • of the meet, with a view of having it eightinches high for the races. If its too short, there is insufficient cushion, and injury results. It its too long, speed is sacrificed, and horses stumble. During the meet a "hot" fertilizer is applied periodically to boost the vitality of the grass. After each race six or eight maintenance employes replace divots. Its true that grass just grows, but not a grass course. A A A Turf ana: George R. "Buddy" Wingfield is obtaining good, fast starts in his first season as official starter at Suffolk. . .Billy Fisk, who has ridden Sickles Image in many races, probably will fly west to handle her in the Cleopatra. Fisk thinks "The Hollywood Lassie was her best race.". . .Coleman Kelly writes he erred concerning £the pedigree of the Epsom Derby winner, Arctic Prince. Hes by Prince Chevalier out of a mare by Nearco . . . Pappas has enhanced Suffolk horticulturally this season. It now has one of the most attractive inner fields anywhere.
