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Sonic, Nullify Join Probables For Week-End Belmont Stakes Two Work Full Mile and Half Distance of 00,000 Race; How Remains Question Mark BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 12. — Saturdays eighty-third running of the 00,000 Belmont Stakes gained two more probable starters this morning, bringing the field to a minimum of eight with one or two others still "possible." King Ranchs Sonic and Phantom Farms Nullify both worked the full Belmont distance of a mile and a half on the main track here this morning and satisfied their- trainers that they deserve a chance to start in the classic fixture. Sonic, who has been on the sidelines since his disappointing race in the Kentucky Derby, was clocked in 2:35%, merely breezing. Nullify, who was thought for a time to be suffering from a virus infection, breezed the mile and a half in 2:41, following an extended trial a couple of days ago. Sonic stepped the half in :52%, three-quarters in 1:19, mile in 1:46, then picked up speed, getting the next two quarters in :25 and :24%. Nullify s fractions were slower all the way, with the linal two quarters being clocked in :26 and :27%. Before his poor race in the Derby, Sonic won a division of the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, but was justifiably disqualified for interfering with Ruhe all through the stretch. The black son of Blue Larkspur—Split Second, won the longer division of the Experimental Handicap, beating Jumbo narrowly. Bill Boland will ride Sonic on Saturday and, like trainer Max Hirsch and owner Robert J. Kleberg, will be in quest of a consecutive double. The trio collaborated in the victory of Middle-ground last year. Nullify has finished well in several races this spring. The son of Revoked was third, beaten less than a length by Sonic and Jumbo in the Experimental, conceding I chunks of weight to both; beat Platoon in an overnight race, then was a well-beaten I fourth behind Jumbo, Battlefield and General Staff in the Swift. He came back to be only a length behind Battlefield in a six-furlong overnight race in 1:10%, causing trainer Bert Mulholland to remark that he thought he was the one to beat in the Withers. Nullify qlosed some ground in that mile run, but was far behind Battlefield and Jumbo at the finish. Big Three in Race Meanwhile, Jack Amiels Count Turf, George D. Wideners Battlefield and C. V. , Whitneys surprising Counterpoint remain the "big three" of this years Belmont. Despite disquieting rumors and trainer Sol Rutchicks admission that the colt had had his shoes removed, Count Turf remains the probable favorite, but at something like 5 to 2. Battlefield and Counterpoint are expected to be almost equal second choices, though the latter appeared to have some-, thing left when he beat last years juvenile champion almost three lengths in his record-breaking Peter Pan score on Saturday. Battlefield will;not have to concede nine pounds in the Belmont and it is suspected that he was allowed to take things a mite too easy when on the farm for almost two weeks following his triumph in the Withers. At any rate, he gave this observer the impression that he was a trifle short on Saturday and will benefit immensely from that race. Incidentally, Battlefield is spending this week at Belmont. The other Belmont Stakes probables are Reuben Kowalls Pur Sang, Sam E. Wilson, Jr.s, Royal Mustang, Cain Hoy Stables Battle Morn and Brodkmeade Stables Steadfast. Pur Sang and Royal Mustang finished in that order on the front end of the field for the recent Peabody Memorial in Chicago and were shipped here for the Belmont. Battle Morn was the favorite in the Derby and finished unplaced after running up on the heels of Ruhe, who finished third. He came back to run a smashing mile in 1:35% here, then raced with Battlefield in Saturdays Peter Pan until they parted company at the head of the stretch, when Battle Morn drifted very wide. The question mark of the Belmont is Herman Delmans Kentucky and Coaching Club Oaks winner, How. This filly remains a possibility, though only two of her sex have won the Belmont since 1867, but it is understood that Delman and trainer Horatio Luro will only start the filly if Ar-caro, Atkinson or Guerin are available to ride. All three have other engagements, Arcaro on Battlefield, Atkinson on Battle Morn and Guerin on Royal Mustang. It would seem that the stretch-running little I daughter of Princequillo will only go post-ward against the colts if some mishap befalls one of this trio.
