view raw text
CONNORS CORNER By Chuck Connors BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 14. — The disqualification rule in force in New York, under the rules of the state racing commission and adopted from those fashioned by The Jockey Club, came in for some criticism yesterday. The rank and file in the grandstand and along the lawns voiced their disapproval yesterday when George D. Wideners Platan, who finished first, was disqualified and placed last. The colt was a stoutly supported choice and, when the objection sign was flashed, the murmurs began to grow. When the number came down the voices of those who wagered place and show — believe it or not, there are quite a large number of this type — and the roars of disapproval were easily discernible. The New York rule is hard and fast and leaves the stewards no alternative. However, in other sectors where racing is conducted, the ultimate placing of an offender who is disqualified is left to the* discretion of the stewards. Looking back over a period of years, New York was slow to adopt methods and newer ideas, as developed in other sectors — the Daily Double consolation pool, for example — and it may come to pass in the future that some amendment to the disqualification regulation as now on the rules may be made. Some years ago a noted financier of his day passed a remark that still is heard, to wit: "The public be damned." Racing needs public support. Minus John Q. Public, the finest racing plant offering the greatest array of champions and stake events would become a losing proposition, much to the disgust of the tax collectors up at Albany and down at City Hall. Well, progress is slow, or so they say, but, on the other hand, the airplane came along fast in a few years. A A A The paddock gang in this area has reacted to the tub thumping from ancient Pimlico about the Preakness. When Hill Gail was declared from the race the boys began to lose interest. The Withers and the success of Armageddon rekindled the flame and a canvass through the sparsely populated clubhouse and paddock the last two days revealed that New Yorkers in increasing numbers plan to make the trip. Baltimore is but a matter of hours from here and the trip is rather easy. New Yorkers will have Armageddon, Blue Man, Count Flame and Primate as their own, with a side interest in One Count and Handsome Teddy. This is not a bad array, for, in addition, with the exception of Teddy Atkinson and Eric Guerin, they will have a vivo l x J v 7 Vt tit n fcue v o z «u i * Disqualification Rule Unpopular i New York Slow to Make Change Paddock Gang Preakness Bound Edward Lasker Busy Commuter choice list of jockeys whose New York feats are well and favorably known. AAA Nat E. Herzfeld will leave for Miami this week-end for a brief look at Tropical Park and a few days of sunshine. . .Commander Harry F. Guggenheim will leave "for Baltimore Saturday morning to witness his Armageddon perform in the Preakness. He is scheduled to return shortly after the race. The colt will be vanned back on Sunday in charge of trainer Moody Jolley. . .Senator R. B. Gautier, of Miami, was a recent arrival and plans to remain for several days. He is at home with the large delegation of Miamians on hand these past two weeks. . . Jake Freedman, the little man with the ten gallon hat from the wide open spaces of Houston, Texas, plans to leave for Las Vegas next week. He is building a hotel in that famed resort. . .Jockey Eddie Arcaro made a donation to charity following his appearance on the teevee Sunday night. Mrs. Arcaro helped along in the selection of the beneficiaries. . .Trainer Clyde Troutt recovered from a cold and resumed his duties in charge of the Eugene Constantin stable yesterday. AAA Frank Frankel, who recently accounted for his first success of the Belmont season, was a recent arrival from Texas. . .Edward Lasker, one of the busiest commuters between here and Los Angeles, showed up for another look-see. . .Trainer Jack Skirvin shipped Blue Case, owned by J. M. Roebling, to Garden State to start in the Betsy Ross-Stakes.. .A correction: The other day we stated that Francis Horan, manager of "Shipwreck" Kelleys Oyster Bay, L. I., farm had passed on. The report was erroneous. It was his father, Mike? who died . . .Aqueducts stakes close tomorrow at the usual hour. Eleven are on the flat headed by the Brooklyn and five through the air for the steeplechasers . . .Word from Miami from Henry Collins, track superintendent at Tropical Park, is that work on the resurfacing of the racing strip and the construction of the centerfield lake is ahead of schedule. At some spots the lake will be 18 feet deep in order to reach what the "Crackers" call blue water. A A- A i Last year Aqueduct dipped the house flag when a horse stabled at that track was returned the winner. This year the paddock boys suggest, now that an anti-aircraft xvi ijcd* and9t9£ i -3V fix fii i jj i tea u a ik j ►battery is stationed there, a 16-gun salute be fired to mark the occasion or maybe that would wake up some of the patrons. . . Wallace Gilroy came down from Connecticut to try out a new overcoat against the chill winds. . .Fleet Count, who started for William Goadby Loew in the fifth race on Tuesday, was a 5,500 yearling purchase. In the fourth race Platan, who was disqualified, and Star Request are younger brothers to Lucky Draw and My Request, respectively. . .Jerry Brady plans to leave for Miami in a couple of weeks and following his return will go to the West Coast for the Hollywood Park meeting and then back to Saratoga Springs. . .Among the missing this year is Arnold Hanger. The latest reports are to the effect that he Is busy at his Florida ranch where he breeds beef cattle. . .News of the death of H. C. "Doc" Riddle, a " veteran trainer, was received this morning. Educated for veterinary science he later turned to training but had been inactive for the past decade or so.
