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► — : — , — , , — BATTLEFIELD Field of Twelve Seeks Metropolitan Battlefield Topweight at 125 * And Likely Choice at Belmont Meets First Glance Again In Mile Event; Latter Has Next Move as Running Mate By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 16. — George D. Wideners Battlefield heads a field of. 12 of the better handicap horses in the fifty-ninth running of the 0,000 Metropolitan here at beautiful Belmont tomorrow. The consistent, if somewhat temperamental, son of War Relic has the moderate top weight of 125 pounds in this traditional mile and will probably be favored, though anything less than 3 to 1 is not a bargain price." Since the Metropolitan was inaugurated at defunct Morris Park in 1891, the winner of 12 editions of the stake carried heavier imposts than Battlefield is asked to tote tomorrow. Ethelbert had 126 when he won at Morris Park in 1901, while Jack Atkin, Whisk Broom II., Mad Hatter, Grey Lag, Sarazen, Equipoise, Eight Thirty, Devil Diver and Stymie won witty 126 or more here at Belmont. Devil Divers 134 pounds in 1944, the same burden that was declined for Spartan Valor this year, is the heaviest burden successfully carried in the fixture, while Grey Lags 133 in 1923 is next. Devil Diver won the Metropolitan three times, with 117 in 1943, 134 in 1944 and 129 the following year. Equipoise also finished first three times, scoring with 127 in 32, 128 the following year and being disqualified after beating Mr. Khayyam with 130 in 1934. Stymie is the most recent winner to carry as much as tomorrows topweight, beating Colosal, Rippey and others under 126 in 1948. The popular "Pride of Brooklyn" won the previous edition under 124. Last year, Casemate triumphed under 115, despite fracturing a bone in his foot during the running. Never Officially Out. of Money Battlefield was never worse than second last year, winning five stakes and placing in the same number and has never been officially out of the money, though he finished fourth in the East View Stakes two years ago, getting third money when Win or Lose was disqualified a couple of days later for carrying incorrect weight. He began his 1952 campaign by finishing a close second to A. G.Vanderbilts First Glance, who rah the best race of his career, in a six-furlong dash run in 1:10 on May 6. First Glance is back tomorrow with 110 pounds and will be coupled with the fine filly. Next Move, who rarely consents to extend herself in races against males. First Glance is penalized two pounds in relation to Battlefield for a half length, while Next Move gets in with 113. Ovie Scur-lock, who fits him well, will ride Battlefield, while Eric Guerin has been named for Next Move and no rider has been assigned to First Glance. The most dangerous of the others in the Metropolitan appear to be Addison Stables Arise, 123; Brookmeade Stables Greek Ship, 121; C. T. Chenerys Bryan G., 118, and Charfran Stables Crafty Admiral, 117. Arise is a somewhat surprising candidate, as it had been understood that the He Did six-year-old would await the seven-furlong Roseben Handicap next Wednesday. His recent return to action last Tuesday was somewhat similar to that of Battlefield in that he also finished a half length behind an outsider, in this case War Poppy. It was a slower race, mile in 1:37%, with Arise appearing to revert to an old habit of pulling himself up when getting to the front, then not being abused in the final yards. Last year, Arise won the Carter, Questionnaire and Monmouth Handicaps in a comparatively light campaign. Sam Boulmetis is slated to come up from New Jersey for the mount. Greek Ship r Has Good Races to Credit Greek Ship has many honorable races to his credit this year, though he has been unable to win since capturing the Royal Palm Handicap early in the Hialeah meeting. On several occasions, he had the dubious task of chasing Spartan Valor, and wore himself out fighting that colt for the lead in the Gallant Fox Handicap at Jamaica last out. Dave Gorman, who won last years "Met" on Casemate, will be in the saddle. Bryan G. has also raced well this year without being able to win since his triumph in the Pimlico Special last fall. Perhaps his best race was a mile event at Santa Anita in which he finished second to his stable-mate, the illustrious. Hill Prince. He was in third place for most of the G/allant Fox, behind Spartan Valor and Greek Ship, stopping badly at the end as though more discouraged than tired. Crafty Admiral won five of his six starts I in Florida last winter, setting a seven- ! furlong Hialeah mark of 1 :22 in the Palm Beach Cap and winning the Gulfstream Handicap at a mile and a quarter in 2:01, leading all the way. -In his only local appearance, he met the same fate as Battlefield and Arise, being beaten a half length by an outsider. This was in the Toboggan, won by Dark Peter, who had previously finished second to the Derby winner, Hill Gail, at Keeneland. That race was run in a fairly sensational 1:09 over a track classed as "good." Con Errico, as usual, will ride the War Admiral colt. Bryan G. and Greek Ship will probably try to run with Crafty Admiral, with Battlefield and Arise coming on at the end, but we doubt if he can be caught at this distance. The others in tomorrows fixture- affe Greentre Stables One Hitter, 113; Jack Amiels 1951 Derby winner, Count Turf, and C. V. Whitneys Mameluke, 112 each; Mrs. Edward Laskers Hull Down, 107, and Marise Farms Uncle Edgar, 105. One Hitter has yet to show his best form this year and refused to extend himself after being crowded by Three Rings near the far turn in his last. Count Turf won a single race at Santa Anita and was soundly beaten by First Glance and Battlefield here. Mameluke was an easy winner in Kentucky, showing little in a sprint here last Saturday and appeared a mite sore after the race. Hull Down comes from a narrow victory over High Bracket and Be Fleet at Jamaica, but seems a bit over his head, which can also be said* of Uncle Edgar. Mill River Stables English star, Big Dipper II., is slated to make his belated American debut in the Danger Point Purse, a six-furlong allowance event that follows the Metropolitan. This colt, who headed the English Free Handicap two years ago and was the early favorite for the Epsom Derby before going wrong, has been training exceptionally well since recovering from bucked shins. The invader will be opposed by such as Bakersfield, Longleat, Mighty Quest, Little Falls, Uncle Jay and others capable of testing his speed.
