view raw text
CONNORS CORNER By Chuck Connors BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 29. There is an old saying around the race tracks, probably as old as racing, that good horses make good riders and in some cases good trainers. One outstanding instance in the latter category is old Exterminator. This fellow in his prime could have probably turned Joe Zilch, whoever he is, into a competent horseman, that is as long as he had Exterminator. But getting DacK to race riding and jockeys there is a pronounced scarcity of good apprentices in the New York area and these youngsters are the saddle experts of tomorrow. The metropolitan area is a tough spot to educate a budding aspirant to jockey honors and trainers and owners are loath to trust their charges to inexperienced boys. Max Hirsch is one exception, for the Texan has over the years developed some better than average jockeys, and among those recalled off hand are Scheenriner, Hanford, Mehr-tens and Boland. The big name stables, such as Greentree, Brookmeade, A. G. Van-derbilt and Wheatley rely on contract riders who have made their mark as -full-fledged journeymen. The apprentices who scaled the heights in New York are importations from other tracks and appealed to the veteran trainers. Many suggestions have been offered to help along the development of the youngsters, but when broken down have in the majority of instances proved unworkable. AAA Jim Fitzsimmons has always advocated a race or two each week for the fledglings, but under present conditions, racing today is commercial in the eyes of the men who cbunt the taxes at Albany, the "take" may dwindle if the suggestion was followed. The allowances permitted youngsters are spread over three classifications, seven, five and three pounds. While this appears to be considerable saving in weight in the majority of instances it is something of a hindrance, for a youngster pitted against a canny veteran is at a disadvantage. The veterans are not prone to give a youngster the best of it, he must protect himself Scarcity of Good Apprentices Advocate Races for Fledglings Counterpoint Is Doing Nicely Eitinger Journeys to Delaware during the running, for the camera patrol picks out highlights that could create the wrong impression. The subject is an intriguing one to racing men who race other places than New York. A well mannered youngster of good habits, who shows capabilities can develop into a worth-while fi-nancialhattel for the man who develops him. The big stables are always on the lookout for such type but on the surface appear somewhat lackadaiscal in trying the experiment of development. AAA It happens once in a while but rarely at New York tracks. There was not one scratch posted on the bulletin board this a. m. at that designated! hour for withdrawals. The paddock gang went looking for some one to draw out. . . Jockey Conn Errico, recovered from his coffee pot explosion, he suffered arm and facial burns, plans to resume riding on Friday. . .Jockey J. Nichols altered his plans and decided to remain here instead of moving on to Delaware Park.. .Jockey A. DeLara fell from one of W. J. Zieglers two-year-olds and suffered contusions and bruises requiring first aid. ..Jockey J. Hardinbrook reported that his parents, Ralph and Ester May, are due from their Florida home and plan to remain for some time. . .Harry F. Guggenheim was among the late arrivals for the afternoon. . .Frank C. Rand, Jr., from down in the southwest, New Mexico, was on hand for the afternoon. . .Trainer Syl Veitch reported that C. V. Whitneys Counterpoint is coming along nicely and will be ready for the Saratoga season. He also reported that 24 yearlings at the farm will be broken and educated there... At private terms, Preston Burch, acting for the Brookmeade Stable, sold Closed Door to the Jaclyn Stable via Sydney Jacobs. AAA Another record of some sort was set at Belmont Park in the first race on Wednesday. There were five entries in the field of 25 and believe it or not the first four horses on the result board came from the first four and were the original numbers and no A. B. C. or Xs.. . .Trainer "Woody" Stephens reported that Arthur Abbotts Blue Man will be given his final Belmont test on Tuesday morning and on Friday opened up for the engagement on Saturday in the Belmont Stakes. ..R. J. Kleberg, master of King Ranch, who reported that some welcome rain fell in that section recently, much to the relief of all hands, will be on for the Belmont Stakes . . . At private terms Morris Dixon sold the two-year-old Baytown to Bill Dobbs. . .Duke Fanelli, Air Services, Dover Doll and The Wench, owned by M. F. Drinkhouse, were shipped to Garden State by trainer H. O. Simmons . . .Trainer M. Wolf reported that the campaigner Fighting Jack was recently returned from Laurel . . .Jules Wessler shipped Jims to a farm in West Virginia to be turned out. AAA Walter A. Fletcher made his first appearance of the season,. .Mrs. R. A. Firestone came out to take a glance at the new styles in racing colors ... Colin "Sandy" MacLeod came up from his Virginia plantation, saw a couple of races and then returned. He reported that Movie foaled a filly by Grand Admiral and rounded out the breeding activities for the year. He has three colts and two fillies to wait upon for racing age. . .Trainer George M. Odom left for Delaware Park and on Saturday will start War Poppy, owned by Circle M, in an engagement with Hedley Woodhouse doing the riding chores.. .Joe Eitinger made the trip to Delaware Park to witness his Jet Master in the Wilmington Handicap... Amory L. Haskell and his associates in the United Hunts will be hosts at a stag buffet luncheon on Tuesday, June 10, before the running of the opening day program of that association. . .Jimmy Coleman received the horse Prince Quest, owned by Pete Eroni, who has been turned out for some time.. .Edmund Lissenberger was on hand yesterday for the afternoon. . .Jockey Jess Higley is due back from Delaware Park tomorrow.
