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REFLECTIONS *y nelson dunstan NEW YORK, N. Y., June 28.— We have just read in Frank Grahams ever-interesting column in the New York Journal-American, a story so packed with human interest we are sure friend Frank will not mind our passing it on here. After winning the Kentucky Derby, Jack Amiel could hardly hardly realize realize what what had had taken taken place. place. hardly hardly realize realize what what had had taken taken place. place. Coming back on the train, Amiel placed a suitcase on the seat opposite him and on top of the suitcase he placed the beautiful trophy which symbolizes victory in the "Run for the Roses." Beside Amiel was little Conn McCreary, the jockey. The two just sat there gazing at the cup. Amiel admitted that the 8,000 to the winner was not hard to take, but added, "There are lots of ways you can make money, but the only way you can get that cup is to win the Derby." To no ones surprise, McCreary said wistfully, "Gee! I wish I had a cup like it." Bill Corum heard about the conversation and then did one of the many things that have made him one of the most beloved men in the sports world. He has ordered a replica of the Kentucky Derby cup expressly for Conn McCreary, and, hereafter, every boy who rides a Derby winner will be given a smaller copy of the trophy as his personal property. AAA A few weeks ago, Cyrus S. Jullien, president of the Queens County Jockey Club, which operates Aqueduct, announced that the trainer and jockey who wins the Dwyer Stakes and Brooklyn Handicap at the current meeting and the Beldame Handicap in the fall, will be awarded a piece of plate as a memento of the victories. For some reason we have never been quite able to understand, amateur athletes are awarded gold, silver and Amiel and McCreary Proud of Derby Trophy Jockey Wanted Replica— He Will Get One Whitney Solidly Supports Racing Museum Many Items Donated for August Opening bronze medals, cups and other prizes. In baseball, a testimonial "day" for some popular player is staged and an automobile seems to be one of the gifts he must receive. Trainers and jockeys, like all humans, take pride in winning a great horse race, and it may be that Jullien has started something which will be followed by other tracks throughout the county. No two men we can think of took greater pride in their trophy rooms than the late Willis Sharpe Kilmer and Warren Wright, who were bulwarks of racing and breeding in this country. It is understandable how a fine little fellow like Conn McCreary will treasure a piece of silver in his home to remind him of what, undoubtedly, was the greatest moment of his life, guiding Count Turf into the winners circle at Churchill Downs. AAA Speaking of trophies, we are reminded that the National Museum of Racing will be opened at Saratoga Springs on August 6. It is cheering indeed that Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, despite his many other activities, is taking a keen interest in this project as its president. There probably would be no Saratoga today were it not for his grandfather, William Collins Whitney, who restored the Spa to all its pristine glory after Dutch Wal-baum reduced it to just another race track prior to 1902. C. V. Whitney appointed his cousin, John Hay Whitney, and George D. Widener as a "screening" committee to pass on the many turf relics which will be offered the museum. Recently Whitney stated, "We are extremely interested in learning of any historical mementos of racing which might be acquired for the museum, and I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows of the existence of anything of this sort. Information can be addressed to me, at 230 Park Avenue, New York City, 17. Some items have been presented, including a shoe worn by the immortal Lexington, and recently Whitney and Widener acquired the Miller Memorial Cup and the Belmont Stakes trophy won by Man o* War. They have also acquired the plates worn by Man o War in the Belmont Stakes. Whitney recently paid ,600 at a charity auction for one of the plates worn by his own horse, Counterpoint, when winning the Belmont Stakes. AAA The racing fan who visits the museum will be surprised by the number of objects that have been accepted by the committee. The owner of Counterpoint and many famous horses before that colt, realizes he must take a long-range view in establishing this shrine, which will some day house many of the most historic pieces of the American turf. It was Harold O. Vosburgh, steward at the New York tracks, who presented the plate worn by Lexington, one of the greatest American race horses and stallions 100 years ago. We imagine he received it from his father, W. S. Vosburgh, who for about 50 years was the handicapper for The Jockey Club. With the plate, Vosburgh presented a letter written at New Orleans on Sept. 28, 1871, by R. A. Porter and addressed to T. Drumm, Esq. It said, "The plate I hand you was worn by Lexington at the time he made the dash of four miles in the extraordinary short time of 7:19%. It was present and received the plate from B. Pryor, it being the first taken off." The letter will be framed with the plate when Continued on Page Thirty-Nine e I e d " it e. w n y ,f _ ,1 by 7 I I , — d J 2 , y ; ! . [ j » REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN I — — Continued from Page Forty -Eight it is shown at the upstate Spa. The plate was worn by Lexington on April 2, 1855, at the old Metarie course in New Orleans. The time of the "dash" was aworld record. When the museum opens, the story will be told of the Lexington plate and the race in which he wore it, and also of the many paintings that will be exhibited. At the moment, there are pictures of Man o War defeating Sir Barton in the Kenilworth Gold Cup and Proctor Knott winning the first running of the Futurity Stakes in 1888. Also pictures of Man o War, War Admiral, and a painting of Salvator defeat-, ing Tenny in the Realization Stakes of 1889. C. V. Whitney now has a plan, which will take a few years to develop, of having a copy made of every famous trophy on the American turf. When space permits, the museum will have a trophy room, especially for these prines. In England, many his-! torical trophies that have been handed down through the years, and in the Jockey Club at Newmarket, is a hoof of Eclipse, the fountainhead of most of our thorough-; breds today. In time, the National Museum of Racing at Saratoga will be the de- pository of the greatest collection ever assembled in one country. It will be rather modest at first but, be sure and see it. It will be well worthwhile.
