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er er demonstrated demonstrated th that REFLECTIONS by nelson mmtan NEW YORK, N. Y.. May 18.— With the Withers and Preakness Prep now in the record books, they will clear the decks for the Preakness. and we might add the most controversial Maryland race since Seabis-cuit defeated War Admiral in the Pimlico Special of 1938. In the Withers last Saturday, Native Danc-at he he is is razor-sharp razor-sharp for for his his effort effort to to er er demonstrated demonstrated th that he he is is razor-sharp razor-sharp for for his his effort effort to to reverse the Derby outcome. With a first quarter in :23%, and the half in :471/5, it was surprising that the Vander-•bilt colt was timed at the finish in 1:96ft, a mark which few Withers winners of" the past 20 years had bettered. As the gray colt crossed the line, a veteran clocker glanced at his timepiece, and said, "He would have done it in 1:34 or better had Real Brothers early pace been faster." It is a certainty that 35,000, possibly 40,000, will be on hand to see the Preakness, which may end many of the controversies caused by the Derby running on May 2. While the Derby was a thrilling contest, the outcome made the Preakness a more powerful magnet because of the unexpected finish. They must beat Native Dancer once again to prove that he is not the best three-year-old in the land. AAA Well do we remember the astonishment at Pimlico in 1938 when the late George Woolf shot Seabiscuit to the front in the match race with War Admiral. It was confidently expected that War Admiral would take the lead and stay there, but Woolf upset the plans of the Riddle contingent. There was no post position to consider in that two-horse race, but it will be a factor this week end at the Old Hilltop course. Sending Dark Star to the front worked well in the Derby and we imagine Eddie Hayward will instruct Moreno to do it again with Dark Star in the Preakness. Correspondent went along with Dark Star in Preakness Duel to Answer Questions Will Dark Star Set His Own Pace? Tom Fool Choice in Metropolitan Jersey-Maryland Bid for Top Horses the early stages of the Derby, but the latter had nothing left for the drive. Native Dancer is a horse with speed to cope with a fast early pace or closely follow it. We imagine Bill Winfrey will instruct Guerin to cling to the leaders, but, in any case, it is a certainty he will not be • in eighth position as he was at the half in the Louisville event, but this could have been due to the bumping he suffered at the first turn. Royal Bay Gem is ever a threat, but he is so slow to reach full speed, that he must perform a herculean task to overcome his opposition with a late rush. In the Jersey Stakes two weeks ago he ran his usual race to come from behind and win by two lengths, but in the Preakness he will have much faster horses to contend with. AAA Through the years the Metropolitan Handicap, which will be the week-end feature at Belmont, has drawn fine fields. While many of the topnotchers will be missing this year, a good field should go to the post nevertheless. One Count and Alerted were not nominated for this one-mile event and it was recently announced that Crafty Admiral will be given a long rest. Royal Vale, who has won the Bowie. Gallant Fox and Dixie Handicaps in recent weeks, is a doubtful starter, so the race now appears to be a perfect spot for Tom Fool, one of the fastest horses of recent years at one mile. Golden Gloves, who won the Valley Forge from Joey Boy and Count Turf at Garden State last Saturday, is one of those likely to oppose the Greentree colorbearer. Others named include Bryan G., Intent, Tuscany, First Glance and Cold Command. Right there is the makings of a real horse race. The 0,000 Suburban will be run a week from Saturday, and it is expected that Royal Vale and One Count will be among the starters at the longer distance of one and one-quarter miles. It has been announced that Royal Vale will be sent to California for the 00,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 11, so it is a question whether Mrs. Weirs imported horse will be seen here for the remainder of the summer. It is our understanding that trainer Jim Ryan has his eye on some of the turf events at Washington and Arlington Parks. AAA Now that the date for the 00,000 Garden State for two-year-olds has been announced for October 31, it is obvious that the New Jersey-Maryland circuit will be a magnet for many of the best racers from the middle of September through the first week in November. Recently Atlantic City officials announced that they would stage two 5,000 races on September 16, to be followed by the 0,000 United Nations Handicap on September 26, all to run over the grass course. At Laurel, the 0,000 Washington, D. C, International will be run November 7. The races mentioned here represent 50,000 in added money, so it may be seen that while New Jersey has made rapid strides in recent years, the officials at those tracks are determined to make further bids to give the fans in that area the most colorful horse racing possible. Walter Donovan, general manager at Garden State Park, anticipates that the first running of the Garden State will gross a minimum of 25,000. Should that prove the case, it will yield the winner the richest prize of the 1953 racing season. It is doubtful, however, whether a new record purse is established, for in 1951 Great Circle won Continued on Page Thirty -Five REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty the Santa Anita Maturity to earn 44,325, the worlds largest up to this year. AAA Hardly has it been announced that the dove of peace had roosted at Hollywood Park, than the Folrida Commission announced the dates for the three tracks in the Miami area and at Sunshine Park. Today Oscar Otis reported that Gene Mori, president of Garden State and Tanforan, had stated that regardless of the right or wrong of the purse dispute in California, he believe the sport there has suffered a setback from which it will take years to recover. For weeks there has been turmoil in Florida over the date question, but the assignments of the commission are essentially the same as they have been in previc is years. First there was an attempt to mo e the Florida season two weeks forward to open in the middle of November, and then a bill was proposed to rotate the dates for the tracks in the Miami area. It is unlikely now that the Florida lawmakers will be asked to rule on either change. At least there is temporary peace in the Sunshine State. Tropical opens the season on November 30, Hialeah follows, and then Gulf stream will bring the schedule to an end on April 23, 1954. People who support racing are hoping we have all heard the last of these controversies.
