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Weighing In By EVAN SHIPMAN — BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 15. — With no Countess Jane to beat in the filly division of the National Stallion Stakes, Alfred Vander- - bilts homebred Home-Made was much the best of the lot. The daughter of Count Speed who had recently humbled Home-Made in the Fashion Stakes was not eligible for yesterdays dash, and, in her absence, the Occupy filly did not have too much trouble. They were an attractive lot in the paddock before the running of the Belmont feature, and, on conformation, we singled out Judy Dunstan, Aerolite and the winner as worthy of special attention. This trio would have caught the eye of any horse show judge. All looked fit and ready, and all had that indefinable hint of class that makes a trip to the Belmont walking ring such pleasure. Home-Made, whose bloodlines suggest that yesterdays effort was at her best distance, but who races as if she is quite willing to fight it out, put away the pacemaking Flirtatious with authority, and then held Appian safe in the drive. As for Aerolite and Judy Dunstan, this pretty pair were disappointments. Aerolite, always in a good position, hung when it came to the question, and Judy Dunstan, after an unfortunate incident at the starting gate, sulked and wound up dead last. Arguing: this matter to the point of wearying:, we will repeat that overrating will gladly change the glittering appearance of such a band of fillies as came out for that division of the National Stallion. Look at them next season at this time, when they are getting ready for their engagements in the Coaching Club American Oaks, and you will see what we mean. Our view is that the success of any breeding farm depends primarily on its mares, and that, once a filly has proved her class in competition, she should bfc retired to the stud. This theory is accepted practice in England, France and elsewhere on the continent, and let us remind you that our horsemen have been .spending vast sums for imported stock. •Why? Perhaps the reason is because we in America have concentrated on the races rather than the farm, and we are paying the penalty. Over the years, we have had the time to learn this simple lesson, but the fact remains that every generation of the American thoroughbred has had to be freshened and improved by a strong infusion of foreign stock. Do not sell our three-year-olds short this year. Wait until, after the running of the Preakness and the Belmont stakes to form a judgment as to their class in relation to other seasons. Sub Fleet and Blue Man and Armageddon and One Count may all be good ones, and they all have a lot of important stakes in front of them in which to prove it. We were ready enough to concede quality to Hill Gail, but Calumets son of Bull Lea is now out of the picture. He had a world of speed, and he could carry his lick for a reasonable distance. For our part, we are not discounting the others. Ted Atkinson, who rode One Count in the Withers, thought that stake came too close to his previous start, causing him to hang in the drive when he should have come on to challenge Armageddon. In Teds opinion, One Count will make a much improved effort Saturday at Pimlico, and we are giving this to you for what it is worth. Some loyal friends of Sub Fleet believed that the Count Fleet colt was just a little short at Louisville, telling us with conviction that he will improve off that race. Frankly, we do not know, but we are sure that there are several three-year-olds in the neighborhood who can run, and who may do credit to the generation before they are through. Star of the hurdle division for the past two seasons, Titien II. now looks as if he will have a lot to say about the steeplechases on the metropolitan circuit. The flashy bay Frenchman was still short when he came out yesterday for the Battleship, and J. M. Mulfords Star Beacon gelding, Proceed, dominated the proceedings with ease, but Titien H. was fencing in a manner that left no doubt that trainer Raymond Bueno had taught him his new trade. All one has to do is watch this horse over a stiff obstacle to know that he has a native intelligence, the capacity to place himself and judge his own take-offs and landings. Good horses, smart horses — you may have noticed—do not fall. Titien II. is that kind. Behind Proceed, who had a 10-Iength margin at the finish of the overnight Battleship, Brookmeades His Boots, making his second start after a long absence, showed a fair effort, but this big fellow never really looked like catching the winner. His Boots is another who will appreciate the race, and who will be a rough WEIGHING IN By EVAN SHIPMAN Continued from Page Four customer in his. approaching . stake engagements at the local park. The track was still a little soggy for the steeplechase, even though it was, technically, called fast. In spite of the somewhat clinging going, Lock and Key and the unfortunate Flying Wing, who fell at the eighth fence after having grasped the command, engaged in a bitter duel for the lead from the drop of the flag. George Humphreys mare, Lock and Key, is a tough one to rate. Her obstreperous nature probably being the cause of her being raced over fences to begin with. She reminds us a little of Belairs Shakleton, a horse who caused "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons plenty of headaches, and who brought that much loved veteran a sound booing on the occasion of an anniversary celebration in his honor a couple of years ago at Jamaica. In desperation, Shakleton was tried over the jumps in this country, but, as we recall, the improvement was hardly noticeable. Then he was sent to England, where he has also been raced over obstacles, and the change or air did the rogue a lot of good, he recently accounted for several worth-while stakes.
