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JUDGES STANDI By Charles Hatton • Preakness History Repeating Itself Farrells Purse Formula Has Merit Traditional Trimmings for Preakness Cinda Encourages Maryland Breeders PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May 13. Our Blue Grass neighbor Woodford "Woody" Stephens breezed Blue Man this morning, himself breezed back to New York, but returns this week-end with some confidence he is saddling a ready horse for the seventy-sixth Preakness. Blue Man strikes us as the stoutest of the rivals for Charles Fishers Sub Fleet, who looms the logical favorite. In a way, history is repeating itself this spring, for in 47 Sub Fleets sire, Count Fleet,, appeared the-one-to-beat in the Preakness, and Blue Mans sire, Blue Swords, was regarded as his most formidable opponent. Stephens naturally hopes the coincidence ends there, for Count Fleet won that "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" at Blue Swords direct expense. Examining Blue Man this morning he certainly looked the part of a classic horse, a 16 hands, seal brown, larger and perhaps a bit sounder than Blue Swords was at the same time. "There isnt a blemish on him anywhere," Stephens said. "He is an intelligent colt with a big appetite, the kind that are a real pleasure to train." Pimlico has tighter turns and shorter stretches than has the Downs and Blue Man has been coming from well off the pace, but Stephens declared, "If McCreary wants more early speed, he can give it to him." The records show Blue Man won his first race going three furlongs at Hialeah in January as a two-year-old. Stephens has started the Abbott colt nine times, winning five, taking two seconds, and third in the Derby. Stephens and Abbott, incidentally, looked at Blue Mans yearling chestnut brother in Kentucky recently, but we do not know whose oats this this one will be eating at two next season. Abbott bought Blue Man privately for 0,000 on New Years Day last year, in order to have something to race during his Miami vacation. He has been racing horses about 20 years, but Blue Man is the best that has come either his own or the 37-year-old Stephens way. Blue Man will point for the Belmont following the Preakness, then may appear at Delaware Park. General manager Edward Farrell of Marlboro has devised a formula for graduating purses, based on the claiming prices of horses running "short" and "long," and the daily average distribution based on "tote" play. Farrell does not claim his formula is perfect, but it seems to us he deserves three stars for trying to bring some -harmony out of the chaos of disputes between management -and horsemen. His scale is conservative, perhaps more so than some of the radical element would consider acceptable. For example, he estimates tracks averaging from 00,000 to 25,000 can distribute 6,500 in over-nighters daily. "Sportsmans exceeded that ratio," Farrell observes, "and the horsemen were dissatisfied. I do not say that critically, but to show the suggested scale might not apply everywhere. It is merely a tentative graduation as a basis of arriving at an understanding between the tracks and horsemen. I have based my distribution on 2.75 per cent of the mutuel sales. The horsemen in some areas ask 3 per cent." Farrell thinks that on the whole there is not enough differential in purses from ,000 and 0,000 horses. His scale has horses valued from ,000 to ,500 racing for ,400 purses up to seven furlongs, ,500 from a mile upward. Horses valued at 0,000 to 0,500 would race for ,600 in sprints, ,700 "long." Some secretaries have offered greater premiums in route events in an effort to fill more of them. Farrell says, "The plan was proved operable at Marlboro last spring. We found it brings horses closer together, making for sharper competition, and it was popular with the public for 48 per cent of the choices won." This corner is out of sympathy with horsemen who demand a specific per cent of the tracks businesses. For one thing, not all tracks, even in the same states, are in a position to offer the same share of their take. "That is quite true," Farrell said, mentioning a" Maryland track having a mortgage, "but I feel my formula is a sound basic pattern." Something of the sort certainly is "indicated." Farrell would not of course charge stakes against the daily distribution and suggests that these begin at ,500 and have a maximum of 0,000 added. The Preakness on Saturday will be staged with all its traditional ceremony and glamour, we learn from Don Reed. The Maryland Jockey Club band, 75 pieces strong and led by Bob Tula, will parade down the stretch after the second race, escorted by Baltimores finest mounties. This band has entertained at many Preaknesses and is guaranteed to play "Maryland My Maryland" by ear if necessary. The historic Woodlawn Vase, buried in Kentucky during the Civil War, will be presented the winning owner. We are afraid the wreath of Black-Eyed Susans will be a "ringer," with daisies having shoe polished centers substituted. The customary case of champagne will be delivered to the winners barn. It was returned one year, with a request for beer instead. Bryan Field and Sammy Renick will handle the nationwide telecast. Turf ana: Pimlico serves its inner field patrons with "tote" facilities behind the odds board. . . . The swift Brazen Brat, now somewhat less cheerful than in past seasons, may be turned out one hears. . . . M. J. C. officials did the public a service in scratching Note Carefully when that gelding went gimpy en route to the paddock. . . . The HBPAs Joe B. Kelly, secretary of the Maryland-Delaware-West Virginia division, says the Pimlico rule barring horses that could not win for as much as ,000 since a certain date has its blessing, but that it wishes to discuss Laurels idea of barring horses that run as cheaply as ,000. He adds, "We are not for racing half-milers at the milers". . ."Cappy" and Mel Allen will do the radio stint on the Preakness. ... It is rather funny to see riders look at themselves in the photo mirror as they pass. So also do green two-year-olds, and some of them jump like anything at their reflection. . . . Pimlicos steeplechaseless cards may be a factor in the uptrend in play. . . . Real Delight is a prospect for Arlington-Washington features. ... Ben Lindheimers many friends wish him a speedy recovery from his present heart attack. . . . The winning owner in the Preakness will be presented a replica of the Woodlawn Vase for his or her permanent possession. . . . Cindas form really sends Maryland breeders creating *■ quite a demand for Occupys services.
