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CONNORS CORNER By Chuck Connors BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I.. N. Y.,« t June 7. — The "Big One" is spread across the record books and this massive racing ground will wind up its meeting on Monday. The boys who sharpen the pencils and delve into the mathematical figures came up with . the information that ; this year B e 1 m o n t ; topped last season by a , good mark in percentage wise. The "tote" play and attendance totals are a treasurers delight. Those figures belong on the financial page. The play this year was 3,815,954 and the gate 846,411. Last year the tax collectors worked on 3,998464 and a turnstile count of 807,818. No wonder they grinned a bit when the credit side was added up. With the Belmont Stakes a matter of history the three-year-olds will fade away for a spell or until the Dwyer at Aqueduct and the Arlington Classic out in Chicago. In the meantime some of the sophomores will be tested in races over distances of ground just to keep them tuned up for the richer prizes to be decided later. Belmont did not enjoy -the best of weather for its session and then again that old debbil, the cough, came along and threw a couple of monkey wrenches into stable schedules and gave Jack Campbell a few headaches in trying to get out racing programs that would fit into the general scheme of affairs at this track. Well, taking everything into consideration he did a good job. The exodus of the "Name Horses" from New York to other tracks may not be as pronounced this season as in other years. The three-year-olds no doubt will be seen in competition at different points. The return. of the Green-tree Stables Tom Fool is advancing steadily in his training, but according to John Gaver the colt will not be rushed. He will begin his comeback effort at sprint distances and gradually work up to the longer races. Tom Fool, according to the paddock 1 boys, should inject a big shot in the arm to that age division for new faces and , mares are always welcome by the guys who pass the turnstiles. AAA Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Hooper, departed lor their Coral Gables, Fla., home follow- . ing the running of the Belmont in which : he was represented by the English-bred Olympic. . .Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Fisher, : t . ; ; , 1 , . : : Sophomores Fade Away for Spell * Tom Fool Advancing in Training Hoopers, Fishers View Belmont Tropical Improvements Under Way of Detroit and Dixiana in Lexington, showed up for the big race. Their Sub Fleet was one of the choices ... Scott Riles, the steeplechase jockey who was thrown from Row on Thursday, fled the Physicians Hospital over in Jackson Heights when he found out that his injury was a separated collarbone. However, he will return for treatment on Monday. . .Rear Admiral Louis B. Olson, Commander of the Third Coast Guard District, was a guest of George D. Widener for the Belmont... Phil Iselin came over for the big race and reported that everything was okay at Monmouth. He was later joined by general manager Eddie Brennan. . .J. J. Van Clief showed up from Virginia to report that the annual horse show of the Virginia Breeders will be held on June 14. . .Trainer Bert Mulholland reported that Battlefield, owned by George D. Widener, is on the shelf. The four-year-old, who during his racing career, finished but once out of the money, is a victim of sinus and is under the care of Dr. Wright. AAA Henry Nias, who was on the ailing list for some time, was" given a hearty reception when he showed up today. In partnership he races Ted M., Cup Cake and others. ...Harry B. Massey, the Pittsburgher, came on from his home to witness the running of the Belmont. He has a draft of horses that race under the nom de course of the Grandview Stable in charge of Harris Brown. . .Major Albert Warner deserted the land of filmdoms make believe for the more active Belmont racing panorama . . . Trainer Harris Brown shipped Erigeron to Suffolk Downs for engagements. At the same time he shipped Pellicle to the farm to be turned out for some freshening up . . . Trainer Johnny Coburn shipped Bardell to the farm to be turned out... The veteran Steve Lawler showed up for the afternoon, and began to reminisce of the days of yore. With George OConnor Sulley, he recalled the day that Star Ruby won at Gravesend with Willie Dangman in the saddle at the lucrative odds of 100 to 1. The two worthies outran the horse from the furlong pole to the finish yelling like a couple of Co-manches on the loose... Gene Mori and * ♦Walter Donovan came over from Garden State all satisfied with the success of their recent meeting. . .Ev Clay, the maestro tub thumper from down Hialeah way, showed up for the big one. After a lot of questioning he finally broke down and admitted that Sam H. McCormick, secretary-treasurer and a member of the board of directors of Hialeah, is the only member of the board who does not own a thoroughbred. That situation must be remedied said Fred W. Hooper, his running mate at that famed Scottish game of golf... Jake Lit-win, the Cihcinattian, showed up for the afternoon. He reported that 15 horses bred at his farm were returned winners during the past six weeks... Nat E. Herzfeld returned from a visit to Tropical Park and reported that the improvements drawn up for that track are well under way. Henry Collins, the track superintendent, is in charge of the detail. The most important improvement is regrading and resurfacing the racing strip. "This will be one of the finest in the country," said Herzfeld "when completed." AAA Murray Gross, the insurance man from Boston, deserted premium and policy headaches for the afternoon. . .Col. R. K. Marshall, of the Ontario Jockey, Club whose home base is the Woodbine, Toronto, track, was on hand and reminisced over the old days at Sheepshead Bay where he rode, in several steeplechase races... Trainer Harold Simmons shipped Sailors Delight to the Mt. Kisco farm of owner M. F. Drinkhouse. . .M. M. Wolf shipped Fighting Jack, Be Modest and Disconsolate to Suffolk Downs. . .Charles A. Connors, of the Narragansett Park board, returns from an extended European vacation on Monday. ..Trainer J. P. "Sammy" Smith reported that the good two-year-old Count Trim owned by W. B. McDonald, Jr., is eligible for some Chicago stakes and a couple at Aqueduct.
