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JUDGES STAND *y CHARLES HATT0N PIMLICO. Baltimore, Md., May 7. — The tempo of things racing is quickening here in Maryland, with a prospect Saturdays Dixie will bring together Crafty Admiral, Royal Vale, Alerted and Cold Command, and the arrival of Correspondent, Ram o War and Royal Bay Gem for the Preakness. The antique Dixie accrues added interest for the reason that it brings together again, at a new weight differential, the Gallant Fox rivals, Royal Vale, Cold Command and Crafty Admiral, who were first, second and fourth — reading from left to right — in the Jamaica stake. This, plus an equation by the "iron" horse, Alerted, comes to a most interesting handicap, and it doubtless will intrigue those who like to cerebrate over past performances in the small hours. In case you have forgotten, Alerted won the 52 Dixie, and this will mark his first appearance since Florida. But he certainly will not be "green." Meanwhile, Preakness talk fills the air, and general manager Jackson expressed the general view of the recent Derby when he observed, "We at Pimlico saw the race on TV with mixed emotions. While Marylanders naturally were rooting for Alfred Vanderbilts colt, the outcome did stimulate interest in our race." Ostensibly, some others who saw the race felt no such emotional conflict. Bill Winfrey commented: "We can offer no excuse for his Native Dancers Derby defeat, and feel he doesnt need one." But Eric Guerin, who had the most uncomfortable seat in the house, is quoted, by the United Press, as questioning Poparas explanation Money Broker, who impeded The Dancer, was lugging in and he was helpless to prevent it. A. G. Vanderbilt also is quoted to the effect he thought it deliberate. All of which is a little disenchanting in certain quarters down Louisville way. The Downs stewards took no action ■• against Popara, Sam McMeekin saying, "No comment, Tempo Quickens on Preakness Scene Trainers Like Progeny of Royal Gem II. War Kept Dark Stars Dam in the U.S. Optimistic Pimlico Meet Will Uptrend everybody who saw the race is entitled to his or her opinion." Popara told the Louisville Times Jerry Mc-Nerney he is sorry Guerin feels the way he does about it, reiterating, "There was nothing intentional in the bumping." And there were headlines in the Louisville papers referring to the taste of the entire affair. An estimated 40,000,000 TV fans, many of them unacquainted with racing, were looking on last week end and we think it particularly regrettable such a contretemps should have developed in that one. Let us hope with Winfrey that "the best horse win" the Preakness, whoever he may be. AAA Perhaps the best advertisers of the Louisville stallion, Royal Gem II., are the trainers of this Australian importations progeny. They like them, and they are best qualified to expert these matters. Before the Derby, we quoted Clyde Troutt, who trains Royal Bay Gem, to the perceptive effect he believed the syndicated Hermitage sire would one day get a top horse. By an obliging coincidence, Dark Star made a prophet of him a few hours later. Eddie Hayward also likes the Royal Gem II.s, and both Harry Guggenheim and Gene Constantin, Jr., purchased others of his issue before Dark Star and Royal Bay Gem achieved their present high status. Royal Bay Gem and Dark Star differ in that the former is a "one-run horse," but never have we known a stallion who stamps his colts and fillies more uniformly with his own impress than does Royal Gem n. Nearly all of them are, like himself, browns at about 15.3, with straight hind legs, short backs, strong croups, and well-laid shoulders. They are the sort particularly suitable for middle distances. Trainer Hayward was showing us the Derby winner in his box a few days ago. He pointed out that the colt has such a high, thin wither and strong muscularity over the hips and loins he looks almost swaybacked. And he could not say too much for his disposition. Dark Star has not raced often, but he was clever enough to win the Hialeah Juvenile of three furlongs at two, then finished third in Belmonts Juvenile, third in the Belmont Futurity, pnd was unplaced once in six starts, in the Champagne Stakes This season, the Guggenheim colt began by winning an allowance race at Hialeah, went unplaced in the Florida Derby, was a smart second to Correspondent at Keene-land, then won the Trial and Kentucky Derby. Dark Star could readily enough go on being a top horse. Except that in the Florida Derby, he behaved as if he does not much care for deep tracks. AAA Dark Star and Royal Bay Gem are from Royal Gem II.s first crop, and both were bred by Warner L. Jones Dark Star is out of the Bull Dog mare, Isolde. Coldstream sold her as a yearling at the Spa to the British Bloodstock Agency for ,500, but the global unpleasantries precluded her exportation and she raced here until she was seven, winning each season, finally found her way into Jones broodmare band. The Derby winners second dam, Fiji, by Bostonian, won the 1934 Kentucky Oaks for Jack and Tom B. Young, the former now Kentucky state racing commission steward. If the proponents of inbreeding care to make anything of it, Royal Gem H. is inbred, at two free generations, to the stout stayer, Son-in-Law. But Royal Gem II. was himself a good two-year-old, as well as being a high-class handicap performer in Australia. He won five of seven races at two, and a total Continued on Page Thirty-Four I JUDGES STAND By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Forty -Four of 27 races from 51 starts, spread over five seasons campaigning. Royal Gem II. now is 11 and the normal expectancy is that he will have seven or eight more crops. So far as we can determine, Dark Star to the first Derby winner sired, foaled and reared in Louisvilles "Beargrass" area since George Longs Azra, by Reform, won the 1892 running of the race. Hermitage is at Skylight, a small country village on Route 42. about 30 miles from Churchill Downs. Dark Stars form is the best thing that has hap-i pened to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders Association since its formation. AAA The meeting here on the history-steeped Old Hilltop has made an encouraging beginning and it is hopefully expected that the daily average play will mark an increase over the 53,000 last spring. Without going into anguished details, there are more idea, situations than racing concurrently with Garden State Park, but Pimlico has been revitalized through new. progressive policies and some physical improvements in the last couple of seasons. And many turf enthusiasts in this vicinity feel a steadfast loyalty to the ancient home of the Maryland Jockey Club and its traditional stakes. In its appeal, it reminds us a good deal of Saratoga. We know people who would consider it unthinkable not to attend the Spa in August, no matter what counter attraction was offered. The notion here is that one of the most effective moves at Pimlico in late years was the employment of John D. Jackson, who now serves as general manager. Jackson is given to thinking and brings to his position a long experience with progressive track operation, gained under Ben Lindheimer at Arlington and Washington Parks in Chicago. He has done things with this antique course that have stimulated the interest of the public and the owners of the more desirable racing establishments. AAA Turf ana: The TRA seems to feel that "money back to sixth position" would inevitably result in a competition Tor horses with one track offering prize awards a notch farther back than its neighbor. But. of course, there is nothing to prevent amending the code to make fifth or sixth place the line of demarcation. . . . Native Dancer inclined to go down behind on Long Island. ... He made two distinct runs in the Derby, and all but Dark Star found the last one compelling. . . . Harry Guggenheim has a two-year-old Royal Gem II. filly trainer Hay ward likes. And he tells us old Armageddon is doing famously at Belmont. The colt now has more confidence than when first he lost an eye. ... At a Derby dinner, Guggenheim is said to have asked a newsgatherer to "report nothing intimate please. We are glad to have you here. But do not take advantage of us." . . . Saturdays Acorn may develop new talent for the Blackeyed Susan here.
