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CONNORS CORNER By Chuck1 Connors BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 13. — The Metropolitan is on Saturday but the paddock gang will not have the opportunity of giving William Helis, Jr.s, Spartan Valor the once over. Trainer Frank Catrone announced some time back that his charge would not be a starter in the race. He is being pointed for the richer and more glamorous Suburban to be contested on Decoration Day. When Jack Campbell Campbell released released his his Campbell Campbell released released his his ; weights for this week-ends fixture yesterday he upset many an amateur handicap -per. Spartan Valor was assigned 134, while Battlefield was given 125. In trying to outguess the. -veteran, many predicted that a span of five pounds would be the limit. High weight victors in this noted mile dash are many, with Devil Diver, from the Greentree menage, the one to carry the heaviest impost. This fellow carried 134 as a five-year-old with Ted Atkinson in the irons. Grey Lag, from the now disbanded Rancocas Stable, toted Earl Sande as the better part of 133, and George D. Wideners Eight Thirty carried 132, including Harry Richards, at the same age. Devil Diver sped the distance in 1:35%, and the following year under a lighter impost, 129, was successful in 1:36%. As a four-year-old he won the race under 117 in 1:36%. This marks the only time in the history of the stake, which was first run in 1891 at Morris Park, that the same horse returned the winner in three successive starts. Equipoise was a two-time winner, as was Stymie. The latter carried 126 and 124 in his successes, while the C. V. Whitney colorbearer carried 127 and 128. Triumphs in the Metropolitan are an old story to the Philadelphian who will be represented by Battlefield this week-end. His colors have been successful on three occasions, first in 1919 with Lan-ius, in 1930 with Jack High, and in 1941 with Eight Thirty. Should he be successful on Saturday he will equal the stake record held by the Greentree Stable which has four victories in the test. AAA John J. "Red" Mullins, commander of the Robert P. Mangle Post American Legion and of Lou Walters tote staff, busted a few buttons from his wesket. He was so busy reporting the arrival of an 8V£-Pound son, born at Kew Gardens Hospital this morning, that he came near for- * Campbell Weights Spartan Valor4 Metropolitan Won by Highw eights Conviction of Trainer Robertson Jockeys Are College Graduates getting to punch the time clock. The mother, Grace, came in for little attention during the recital. . .The coughing epidemic has apparently shown definite signs of subsiding. The work tab showed an increase in the number of two-year-olds, back in training. . .Yesterday presented a new low for clubhouse attendance figures. The weather had a lot to do with that count. . . George McNulty, head of the admissions department, was at one time a crack sleuth of the New York Police Department. AAA Neil Boyle and Frank S. Hackett will leave for Toronto," Ont. to witness the running of the Queens Plate at Woodbine. This race is the oldest on the continent in point of continuity and was first run in 1836 Red Wingfield arrived at Jamaica with a draft of horses from Churchill Downs to race in this sector. . .Trainer Bob Robertson is now convinced that horses can develop more ailments than human beings and he cites the three-year-old Charlie McAdam as an example. This colt has had about everything on the calendar including ulcers. . .Trainer John Gaver reported that Tom Fool is coming along nicely and has not "barked" in a couple of days. He was a two-time victim of the cough. . .Jockey Eddie Arcaro will leave for Pimlico an Friday to ride in the Preakness. . .Bryan Field, Fred Caposella and Mel Allen will do the Preakness on TV and radio... A meeting of the presidents of the New York tracks was held in the directors room today. The business was routine, as was the report handed out later. . The disposition of the horses in partnership that Ben OShea had in the Lester Manor Stable will not be made known until the will is probated. . .Sammy Engleberg, the press box handicapper who was operated upon for an ear infection, was discharged yesterday. He hopes to be back at this duties next week. AAA Two jockeys plying their trade here are college graduates, Gerald Porch, from the University of Akron, and Emil Flutie,. from the University of Miami. . .John J. Halley, the reformed entry clerk, Gulfstream Park, arrived and reported that he expects a couple of horses from Kentucky by train. . . Walter Higgins, of the Olympic Parking ►Corporation, is a believer in hunches. Last week he invested a few kopecks on a horse named Olympic, trained by Parke. Alas, the stewards did not see it his way. . .The exodus of New Yorkers to the Preakness this year will not be as heavy as other years, according to the railroad men who handle the reservations at this end. . .Leigh Cotton and V. L. Shea have parted company and Dick Handlen may take over the training chores, according to the grapevine. ...Maxwell Glover, the Geneseo, N. Y. breeder of prize show horses who died at his home, was a frequent Saratoga Springs visitor during the season. . .Cranwood, out in Cleveland, will stage a race on Saturday named for the old-time mare, Imp. This mare was one of the idols of New York crowds and a prime favorite with John B. Campbell. . .The death of Mrs. Alfred H. Morris, mother of John A. Morris, president of Jamaica, was made known here today. She was 87 and her husband was one of the founders of The Jockey Club more than 50 years ago.
