Judges Stand: Preakness Stakes Favorite Proves Readiness Increasingly Exacting Tasks for Dancer More Approval for Rezoning at Pimlico Jones Plan May Swell Field for Susan, Daily Racing Form, 1953-05-22

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— — JUDGES STAND *y CHARLES HATT0N PIMLICO. Baltimore, Md., May 21. — We suppose there are nicer places to be than on a race track in what is proverbially known as "the chill, gray dawn," but it is surprising how many people spent this one at Pimlico. We have been at Aqueduct on Dwyer Day when the gate was not much larger, nor nor any any more more "paicr "paid" probably. probably. And And — — nor nor any any more more "paicr "paid" probably. probably. And And the morning was not merely chill and gray, but the course was enveloped in a fog, the density of a genuine "London particular." The word, it seems, had got around that Native Dancer was going to work for Saturdays Preakness. He has caused insomnia before, among Bill Winfreys rival trainers. The Preakness favorites prep was a good show, and the most newsworthy development in connection with the week-ends 00,000 classic on the Hilltop today. He went six furlongs in 1:11%, and exercise boy Bernie Exerson hasnt shifted gears yet, as a railbird remarked. One of the venturesome group who will oppose him in the "Run for the Black-eyed Susano" also entertained the scores ranged along both stretches this morning. This was Spring Hills Jamie K., a tall lightwaisted bay who is to be ridden by Eddie Arcaro. Johnny Partridge sent him a handy five furlongs in 1:01%. As you might guess from the time the track was fast, though the atmosphere was no place for any horse having respiratory difficulties. We do not know if Jamie K. can run as fast as Arcaro can ride, but clearly he is going to be the medium of extensive play Saturday, extensive for him at any rate. There is a story we cannot vouch for that a gentleman in Tulsa mailed the club 00 in 0s to back him, sending is by ordinary mail under a 3-cent stamp. And that, of course, it was promptly returned to him, registered, air mail, special delivery and all the rest. It seems unlikely anybody having such simple faith could have that much to wager, but there it is and the moral is Preakness Stakes Favorite Proves Readiness Increasingly Exacting Tasks for Dancer More Approval for Rezoning at Pimlico Jones Plan May Swell Field for Susan plain. Meanwhile, everybody now is just marking time until 5:45 Saturday, when the band strikes up "Maryland. My Maryland" and the Preakness field goes to the post. That is everybody but Joe Stevens and John Jackson, who are wondering how in the name of Barnum and Bailey does one translate 35,000 people into 18,000 seats. AAA The academic interest of this Preakness seems to us to rest primarily in the fact that it is expected to disclose if there is a serious rival for Native Dancer in his quest of the title. For instance, were Dark Star to again repulse him, as he did at Louisville, then he shall have to be considered in that light. The Sagamorean answered satisfactorily a question of his stamina in the Derby, and trainer Billy Winfrey now feels confident he will stay the mile and a half of the Belmont comfortably enough. But the strapping Polynesian colts tasks seem likely to become increasingly more demanding as the season advances. Following the Belmont Stakes, last of the "Triple Crown" events, the important three-year-old stakes require the more successful colts to make certain weight concessions. The Arlington Classic and American Derby, for example, are handicaps in the sense the horses handicap themselves, according to their earnings earlier in the season. These are followed in the fall by the cup events and weight-for-age races. And assuming that Native Dancer is exceptional as the public has come to think him. it is staggering to think what imposts he will be asked to shoulder if ever he is placed "in the hands of the handi-cappers." Weights comparable to those his grandsire. Discovery, carried in all probability. However, there is 16.1 hands of Native Dancer, who appears fully up to carrying his weight, and we do not take a defeatist view of his future. On the contrary, we should think he will go on winning somewhat more than his share of the purse distribution if only he remains sound. His ankles look rather shocking on a performer of his lofty station, but " Winfrey observes they are set and quite cold. AAA There is less apathy now among those who have blocked commercial rezoning of the acreage so vital to Pimlicos improvement program, and it is hopefully expected the city council will announce a favorable decision before recessing in June. The plan is reported to have the approval of officials in the Associated Jewish Charities, and the Levindale Home and Sinai Hospital, which are in the area that may be rezoned, would in no way share the expense of the new street and sidewalks, though these improvements would flank their property. Further, they are assured an elaborate sanitation program in the stables which would be constructed on the tract under consideration. The form Pimlicos reconstruction assumes is more or less directly contingent upon the city councils action, it is understood, for it would seem unthinkable to invest in a new and larger stand unless more ground is available for parking areas. And Cary Boshamer said upon being named president last fall that it is the new owners hope to give Baltimoreans a modern track of which they can be proud. Whatever else is done at Pimlico, the old clubhouse, or members club as it now is called, is to remain Continued on Page Forty I JUDGES STAND By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Forty-Four intact. To remove is would be sacrilegeous as removing the two ancient steeples from atop the Churchill Downs stands. AAA Ben Jones decision to point Mrs. Mark-eys Bubbley for the Delaware Oaks of 0,-000 added may make for a somewhat larger field in the 0,000 Black-eyed Susan here at Pimlico on the same afternoon, May 30. Real Delights sister appeared to have recaptured her best form in the Kentucky Oaks, which she won pricking her ears. Trainer Jimmy Conway of Mrs. Whitakers good filly Grecian Queen may send that beautifully bred miss here for the Black-Eyed Susan. His confidence in her was not at all shaken by her recent defeat, in which "she bogged down racing on the inside." Probably the leaders in both the Black-Eyed Susan and Delaware Oaks will meet on June 6 in the 0,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park. Cerise Reine is definitely intended for that event. And following it both she and Bubbley have engagements in common during Ben Lind-heimers fabulous Arlington and Washington meetings. While these two are very conspicuous, there are other fillies, such as Secret Meeting and Louis Lee Haggins Sally Catbird, who appear to be improving, and may utimately become serious rivals for them. Sally Catbird is pointing for the Black-Eyed Susan and is reported training well since her winning performance earlier in this meeting. AAA Turf ana: Apparently A. G. Vanderbilt is not the only breeder who has confidence in Discovery mares as producers. One hears 5,000 has been rejected for Be Gracious, who is out of Her Grace. Be Gracious form is a triumph of the farriers art over nature, as she used to cut herself badly, her action was so awkward, now does not have to wear boots. . . . The recent winner, Twice Teddy, is aptly named. He is inbred to Teddy. . . . According to Baron dOsten the stories of how Plucky Liege and Epinard escaped the Nazis are as apochryphal as they are colorful. Plucky Liege would have been 28, assuming she still was at Volterra stud; Epinard lived prosaically on a farm. . . . Although Squared Away was disqualified in the Baltimore Spring Handicap, the MJC presented Jan Burke a trophy inscribed with his track record time of 1:04%. Nice gesture. ... In a similar contretemps, Three Rings, was deprived also of the time mark in New York.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1953052202/drf1953052202_26_1
Local Identifier: drf1953052202_26_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800