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is of CONNORS CORNER By Chuck Connors] BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 5. — Oh, its just a coincidence! How many times have you heard some guy make that remark when you tried to explain some odd happening? Well, heres a whole series of them and coincidental or not they are worth bearing in mind. The series spans three states, Texas, Kentucky and Ohio and occurred on February 19, no, not in the same year. Ta-hitian King, a stakes winner at this meeting, and is of and a son Polynesian Carolyn A. and was foaled on February 19. Qbania, a full sister to Carolyn A., was foaled on the same date but a few years earlier, while Albania, the dam of both of Carolyn A. and Qbania was also foaled on the same date. While owner Ben Whitaker was discussing this odd happening, who showed up but Eddie Arcaro who does considerable riding for the Texan and for whose daughter Carolyn A. was named. Arcaro, in a quizzical manner, listened to the saga and then quipped "Are you kidding?" When assured that it was no fairy tale Arcaro added the final coincidence to the tale. He was born in Cincinnati on February 19. Well, you take it from there and add a couple more. Whitaker was not born on February 19, and thats the only fly in the ointment. Getting away from coincidences for a few minutes and flying off at another tangent which concerns crystal ball gazers, palmists and soothsayers, and from what we hear they have quite a following, one came up for the book yesterday. Tim Mara, the football impressario while waiting for his old running mate Earl "Greasy" Neale to supply transportation to the track, decided to get weighed. That mechanical device not only gives your weight but supplies a little card with a brief sketch of the activities for the day. This one advocated conservatism and no speculation whatsoever. Mara was busy reading the card and failed to notice the arrival of Neale until aroused by a sharp toot of the horn. Mara moved out in front of the car and then saw a penny on the street. Picking up the coin, he noticed that it was "tails" up. Explaining the card and penny to Neale, he was advised that it was a bad omen and that he should get out and go home. Mara disregarded the advice and eventually arrived at Belmont. Now what do. you think happened? He not only beat the Double for a good pay-off but had several other winning tickets to cash. Who said something about stargazers? * Whole Series of Odd Happenings Coincidents With Feb. 79 Date Sixth Operation for Mrs. Legere Scurlocks Ankle Cast Removed Major Louie A. Beard came up from Thomasville, Ga., to witness the running of the Belmont and will stay over for the United Hunts session. . .A. B. Hancock, Jr., was a recent arrival and will remain over for some time. He came from Paris, Ky. ...Commander Harry F. Guggenheim reported that Armageddon will be his sole representative in the Belmont . . . Mrs. Charles S. Payson came out to witness the debut of the Greentree Stables Lotus Eater . . .B. "Bee" Johnston, one of the Kleberg clan from King Ranch, came down from Utica, N. Y., for the afternoon and do some rooting for Renew. He is a senior at Cornell, graduates in February and then will take a post graduate course in Uncle Sams army for a couple of years... Mrs. H. C. Phipps, who races under the nom de course of the Wheatley Stable, came in from her Long Island estate for the afternoon. AAA John C. Clark, prexy at Hialeah, deserted Binghamton, N. Y., for a look-see at Belmont Park. He reported that his three-year-old Charlie McAdam, according to trainer Bob Robertson, will be ready for Saratoga. The colt injured his ankle when he kicked the side of his stall . .Trainer George Riola shipped Media Miss to the farm to be turned out for the remainder of the season. . .Mrs. Tad Legere will enter Harkness Pavillion along about mid-June for surgery. The operation will be her sixth in a space of three years. "Cheaper by the half dozen" she said.. .Louis Lazare is all enthused over the progress of his rapid-going sprinter Sheilas Reward. This fellow will be a starter at-Aqueduct. . .Ivor Balding of the C. V. Whitney forces came on from Lexington, Ky., and plans to remain for some time. . .C. W. Provost, one of the veterans of the Turf and Field Club, made his first appearance of the season during the afternoon. AAA Jockey Ovie Scurlock had the cast removed from Jiis ankle and hopes to start galloping horses some time next week. He injured that member when he fell at the starting gate from the two-year-old Sense, owned by G. D. Widener, on Metropolitan Day. . .Jockey Nick Combest, who suffered facial injuries in a spill a couple of weeks back, hopes to resume riding within the next 10 days... Harry Millar, secretary to ►the New York Racing Commission, was be- j ing congratulated on his appointment as chairman of the publicity committee of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners. . .Mrs. Sara Chait was an early morning visitor at Jamaica and witnessed several of her horses undergo training trials. . .Mrs. Dodge Sloane, mistress of the fashionable Brookmeade establishment, was on hand during the afternoon. . .F. Coleman, retired president of the Union Pacific Railroad, was -a Turf and Field Club visitor yesterday. . .Mr. and Mrs. Denis, of Whiteoaks, Nashville, Tenn., checked in for the big race. They plan to remain for several days. AAA Joe Eitinger will train out for Delaware Park this week-end, that is if his pride and joy, Jet Master starts. Otherwise he will remain for the Belmont. . .The stake nomination books including the first ten days overnight conditions for the Aqueduct meeting were released today. Eleven stakes are on the agenda, topped by the Dwyer and Brooklyn, each carrying an- added value of 50 grand. . .Overnight rains brought about a drop in the thermometer readings and a change in track conditions, much to the disgust of the stable help... Mrs. C. J. McLennan returned to her Maryland home, Cowpens, following several days visit with her father, Max Hirsch. . . Mr. and Mrs. True Davis, Jr., he maintains a thoroughbred nursery at St. Joe, Mo., are on hand for the Belmont . . .Leslie Combs, master of Spendthrift Farm out Kentucky way, is due for the big week-end fixture.
