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REFLECTIONS By Nelson Dunstan Arcaro Earned Chicago Day in His Honor Spartan Valor Topweight in Equipoise Mile Tom Fool Stages an Impressive Comeback Hilarious May Be Best Juvenile in the East NEW YORK, N. Y., June 27. Racing of an important nature will be staged in the East and West tomorrow, but Chicago will be the pivotal point, with Spartan Valor in the Equipoise Mile and Eddie Arcaro being honored as the first American-born jockey to ride 3,000 winners. It is somewhat ironic that the Italian lad, who ranks with the worlds greatest jockeys of all time, should be hailed in the Windy City, for he is part and parcel of the New York racing scene. New York fans have often booed Arcaro, but everyone must admit that he is the greatest race rider of the present generation. It is said that, as a group, wrestlers are the most intelligent of all professional athletes. But, in this respect, we will pit Arcaro against any of the big men who earn their living in the mat sport. Fred Archer; the famous English jockey, was credited with being the most intelligent race rider of his area, and "we believe the same can be said for the boy, who, a few days ago, reached the 3,000 mark in winners. Just yesterday, Eddie said he would retire when "he becomes tired," and that will be regardless of whether he attains the 4,000 or even the 5,000 mark in victories. In all probability he will never equal the mark of Gordon Richards, English champion rider, who is now approaching the 4,500 mark, but, regardless of where he finishes in number of victories, he will always be regarded as one of the foremost American riders of all times. Although many of the more prominent stables shun the Aqueduct track because of its sharp turns, the business department is doing quite all right, with the first 10 days showing an increase of seven per cent in attendance and an increase of 18 per cent in mutuel play. That upsurge is consistent with the boom that has been evident since January 1. Although tracks in many parts of the country had highly successful meetings in 1951, of the 41 that have operated throughout the country this year, only nine have a decrease in the attendance and at only two have the mutuel figures been under those of a year ago. Some tracks have shown as high as 63 per cent increase Pimlico in attendance, and the Bowie meeting at Laurel showed 67 per cent more business in the mutuel handle. While it is true that Aqueducts turns are sharp, and that many of the larger stables do not race their best horses here, it is a popular course in many other respects. New York fans today merely shrug their shoulders and smile when they hear of the "blue prints" for new Metropolitan courses, but this writer knows from reliable sources that president Cyrus S. Jullien has been having frequent conferences on the question of a merger with other tracks, or Aqueduct going on its own with a new plant. When that will happen is problematical. Tom Fool came back to the race track to finish second to Hitex in a race styled the Rippey Handicap, but he impressed spectators as being well on his way to top form. This, son of Menow has been one of the most consistent horses of recent years. In his 10 starts to date he has been first or second. While his future campaign is somewhat doubtful, he is eligible for the 0,000 Dwyer, which will be run at Aqueduct one week from tomorrow. Sent to the sidelines after the running of the Wood Memorial, he has yet to race one and one-quarter miles and should he start in the, Dwyer, this race will indicate whether he is to be seriously considered as a candidate for three-year-old championship following his overwhelming plurality in the voting for the juvenile championship a year ago. No less than 49 of the leading three-year-olds are named for the Dwyer, and in this event, Tom Fool is likely to meet Blue Man, the White Oaks Stables colorbearer, who has an edge over his rival to date. Others named for the Dwyer- are Hitex, Armageddon Golden Gloves, One Count, Master Fiddle and Charlie McAdam, who has also been on the sidelines for a considerable time. Following the Dwyer, it would not be surprising if John Gaver shipped Tom Fool to Chicago for the 00,000 Arlington Classic on July 19, and also started him in the 00,000 American Derby on August 9. It is too early to judge whether the two -year-old crop is better than those of recent years, although that now appears to be the case. Some colts and fillies have given a fine account of themselves to date, and these include Alfred G. Vanderbilts Native Dancer, Ben F. Whitakers Tahitian King,W. B. McDonald, Jr.s Count Trim and the Wheatley Stables Hilarious, the bay colt by Bimelech Laughter, by Johnstown, who won the Tremont Stakes at Aqueduct Wednesday. The Tremont was the third consecutive victory for Hilarious and the four-length score over Belf aster was so impressive that many witnesses were of the opinion he is the best colt seen on Long Island this season. All the colts mentioned are eligible for the 5,000 Great American, which will be run at Aqueduct July 9. This event is the first at six furlongs this- year, and, while they may not all answer the bugle, the others are likely to be seen in the Wakefield at the Empire City meeting on July 14. On July 12, the 0,000 Arlington. Futurity will be contested over the six-furlong route at the Chicago track and that race will give an inkling as to the youngsters being developed in the Midwest. There can be no doubt that the Midwest has a top-flight filly in Calumet Farms Bubbley, a young sister to Real Delight, a three-year-old miss, who, with the possible exception of her stablemate, A Gleam, appears to be a standout among the members of her age and sex. While some promising two-year-old fillies have appeared in the East, Bubbleys victory in the Polly-anna a week ago gave further evidence that she may be the miss they will have to beat in the weeks to come. When it is considered that Bubbley is eligible for the Lassie and Princess Pat and her older sister is named for the rich three-year-old events for members of her division, the strong hand that Calumet holds becomes apparent. This writer has been trying to recall when racing had a pair of full sisters racing simultaneously, but it will take some research to come up with the answer. Ten years ago, Occupation defeated Count Fleet and Blue Swords in the Washington Park Futurity and the following year, his full brother defeated a little colt named Nelson Dunstan. They were the last famous pair of brothers or sisters to give good accounts of themselves in the Chicago area, or, for that matter, any other. In 1927, Chance Play was a four-year-old and in the same year, his full brother, Chance Shot, won the Belmont Stakes. But they come few and far between, especially a pair of fillies such as Real Delight and Bubbley.
