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REFLECTIONS *y nelson dunstan NEW YORK, N. Y., June 12.— There are all sorts of reports flying around concerning the New York turf. The consolation Daily Double is still being debated, and the rumor department has it that negotiations are now underway for the sale of Belmont Park. But more interesting, despite the claims of many that the three-year-olds are a common lot, we cannot recall a * season when there has been so much difference of opinion — that being the thing that makes horse racing-— regarding the outcome of the Belmont Stakes this weekend. C. V. Whitneys Counterpont, by winning the Peter Pan Handicap so impressively, is certain to have a large following in the 00,000 race, but many agree with this writer that Jack Amiels Count Turf, winner of the Kentucky Derby, is the one to be beaten. Battlefield will have his share of admirers, and, while it is possible, as on previous Saturdays, that another sophomore will come along to muddle further the three-year-old situation, this writer doubts that the rich race will go to other than one of the three we have mentioned. Regardless of the class of the three-year-olds, it has been several years since opinion has been divided as it is on this week-end event. Whether the division is good, bad or indifferent does not alter the fact that the Belmont shapes up as a very colorful horse race. AAA Our recent comment on the booing of Eddie Arcaro brought many letters from racing fans, and we must add that the Italian jockey has had all the worst of it in them. A few fans objected to our statement that in our younger days we saw pop bottles thrown at baseball players. They claimed we were prejudiced against the game. It happen that while racing is our favorite sport, " Belmont Stakes Promises to Be Top Race Fans Still Throw Pop Bottles at Ball Games Aqueduct Gives Bowls to Trainers, Jockeys Another Unfair Bill to Injure Horse Racing we have been a baseball fan for almost 50 years. We have always loved the game. But, to set straight those who do not believe that pop bottles were thrown at players — and if there is a more vicious and cowardly act, we do not know what it could be — here is a quote from a New York newspaper a day or two ago. "Casey Stengel sounded off today against rowdy acts by fans. He promised he would take the Yankees off the field unless adequate police protection was afforded his players in ball parks around the league. They were throwing fire crackers at Mantle in right field Friday night, and some fool even threw a bottle. When we were in Detroit, Jensen was pelted with stones when he was trying to catch a fly ball. One of these stupid acts could cost a man his career, possibly his sight." Booing an athlete is one thing, but hurling stones or bottles is quite another, but we are quoting Stengel here just to point out that it does occur. AAA Cyrus S. Jullien, president of Aqueduct, has made a commendable move in planning to present to the winning trainer and jockey of. the three best races at that track a trophy commemorating the event. For years, this writer has asked racing presidents not only to honor the owner of a horse winning a major race, but also to recognize the trainer who had the skill to bring a horse up to a victory; and the jockey who rode the horse. It has been this writers pleasure to see a great many cups and plates that have been presented to owners of famous horses down through the years. He once asked Earl Sande how many mementos of his long riding carrer he had. "The only trophy I ever received," he answered, "was given me by a magazine." The trainer and jockey of a winning horse take just as much pride in the accomplishment as the owner. It is not surprising that Sol Rutchick, vice-president of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association; Sterling Young, secretary of the Jockeys Guild, and Jack Skinner, president of the American Trainers Association, should express their appreciation to Jullien. Trainers and jockeys are as human as the rest of us and they like to see on their shelves some concrete evidence of their success. The officials of race tracks throughout the country would be making a smart move if they, like those at Aqueduct, included the trainer and jockey in trophy awards. AAA It appears as if racing always is confronted with legislation which, if passed, would either kill the sport or reduce it far below the standards of today. United States Senator William Langer, Republican of North Dakota, introduced one which would prohibit the shipment of horses or dogs for racing purposes from one state to another. The passage of such a measure would compel race tracks to depend upon horses within the boundaries of their respective states. With all due respect to Senator Langer, this writer considers his proposal one of the most unfair that has ever been framed. It really is "a nuisance bill." He says nothing about baseball clubs traveling from qne state to another, and one may readily see what would happen to our leagues if such Testrictions were placed upon our national game. Senator Langer maintains that his bill "would not interfere with racing in states which have legalized it." His measure would kill high class horse racing quicker than any other bill that ever has been introduced. When he says his bill would not inter- „ Continued on Page Thirty-Three REFLECTIONS I By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty fere with racing in states in which it has been legalized, he is either very naive, or simply does not know what he is asking of our Congress. AAA Senator Langer further said he "doubted that thoroughbred racing really existed to improve the breed of horses in this country, and provide better breeding stock for the cavalry." He added that the Remount service has been abolished. Certainly the Remount has been abolished, but Col. John F. Hall and many nther high ranking officers of the United States Army have deplored it. They have pointed out the shortcomings of our Army in Korea where the Chinese have used horses and mules to great advantage against our men. Colonel Wall and his fellow experts have-been so, shocked by this horrible condition that they are forming a committee of prominent men to taks up the matter with the .military authorities in Washington. No one, to this writers knowledge, has ever claimed, as Senator Langer points out, that our cavalry depends upon the breeding of thoroughbreds. But it has been pointed out time and time again that thoroughbred racing has been a great, contributor to the treasuries of almost half the states in the Union. It seems to us that Senator Langer should make himself more familiar with horse racing in this country and the part it plays in our way of life. He could offer more worthwhile measures in these trying times than this ridiculous "nuisance bill."
