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.:--"A"V" ,"V mm** JUDGES STAND *y charles hatton GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J., May 25. — There is an irresistible temptation to pun that the seventy-seventh chapter in Preakness history might appropriately be titled, "The Dancers Revenge." And he almost got caught at it. It was a near thing, quite shocking in fact for those Wh0 who made made him him a a minus minus pool pool favorite. favorite. mm** Wh0 who made made him him a a minus minus pool pool favorite. favorite. Some were disappointed in him actually, for even though he won, it was by a straining neck over the hitherto lightly regarded Jamie K. Marylanders, who knew him only by reputation, were not prepared to see the Sagamor-ean have to fight for it, but seemed to expect him to win off with ruffles and a flourish. This observer came away with the impression that, as Eddie Arcaro observed, "The best horse won." After all, Jamie K. had what is picturesquely known as "dead aim" for three-sixteenths of a mile. And only for the fact Native Dancer had prompted Dark Star, Tahitian King and Correspondent to set a sprinting pace the first seven furlongs, we do not suppose Jamie K. would have been really troublesome. He has only one run and that sort hardly will beat Native Dancer without an assist from a genuine speedster. Native Dancer does not overshadow his rivals as Count Fleet, War Admiral and Citation did, but then perhaps he is competing with more formidable colts than were Blue Swords, Pompoon and Coaltown. If we may say so without appearing cynical, the factors which create "standouts" sometimes involve inferior competition as well as superior quality on the champions part. Native Dancer now has been to the post 14 times and has been beaten only once by rather a flukey head. Unlike most performers, including some of the best, he has been "good" every day. Apparently the field for the Belmont Stakes is not going to be anything requiring two sections of the stall gate to start. Dark Star is reported to have come out of the Preakness something 77th Preakness The Dancers Revenge Tracks Explain Division of Racing Dollar Film Patrols Value Depends on Officials Two Stakes for Weaker Sex at Garden State the worse for wear, and Clyde Troutt has thought of shipping Royal Bay Gem to Chicago for the Peabody, though, of course, he could return. Jamie K. and Ram o War are eligible. And the division of the purse this season provides 0,000 second money, 0,000 third and ,000 for A A A fourth. Back at Pimlico we noticed that the daily programs contained a fairly lucid explanation of "What happens to your wager." One dollar and 80 cents is returned to the players, 12 cents goes to the club which in turn distributes more than six cents to the horsemen in purses, and eight cents is returned taxpayers through the state. By a coincidence we have received, in the mornings less unfriendly mail, some literature from the Michigan Racing Association on the subject of "The distribution of the wagered dollar." This folder shows that in 1952, the MRAs patrons wagered 9,300,145, and that 4,458,855 was returned to them, in accordance with the law. A total of ,224,144 was paid the state in commissions. And of the ,617,146 which reverted to the association, it distributed ,571,693 in the form of purses, salaries, rentals, insurance, printing, charitable donations, property, franchise and other taxes. There are times when one could wish the associations across the country went in for more of this sort of public relations work. It is really quite surprising how many of the public still imagine that when a track has a "million-dollar day," it makes a million dollars. Matter of fact, a legislator in Kentucky this spring dumbfounded racing interests with his naivete by inquir ing if it was not true the "handle" represented the tracks profits. And Kentucky has had racing since Main Street, Lexington, was a dirt road. Figures are perhaps not very provocative reading. But it is assuming too much for those in racing to suppose everybody knows about the distribution of the racing dollar. And it is important racing interests trouble to better "educate the public" in the matter. AAA Ben Cohen, John Jackson, Bill Winfrey and the writer were discussing the film patrol the other day when Winfrey gave it as his opinion that, "Its value depends upon the use which the officials make of it." That is perfectly true, of course. The film patrol is one of modern technologys greatest boons to thoroughbred racing. But at some meets its cost is 0,000 and it is a waste when the officials fail to utilize it in a way calculated to discourage infractions of the rules. It strikes us that it would be a progress were stewards everywhere to strive toward more agreement upon what constitutes punishable fouls, and toward more uniformity of rulings. Tolerance on occasion has assumed such weird forms as stewards taking a position a fouled rider "Had no business going inside in the first place." Of course, the film patrols value extends beyond enabling stewards to arrive at just and authenticated decisions. It has been helpful in many instances in correcting unconscious little mistakes committed by inexperienced apprentices. And in suggesting to trainers changes of equipment and strategies in handling their horses. It also has on occasion been beneficial to associations and racing generally by removing from owners minds a question of whether some action against their representatives was warranted. AAA Two stakes of importance remain on the agenda here at Garden State Park. The first is Wednesdays 0,000 Rancocas, which is for two-year-old fillies at five furlongs. Continued on Page Thirty-Six || JUDGES STAND By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Forty And the other is the 0,000 Colonial Handicap, which is the Memorial Day fea- I ture, and is for fillies-and-mares. The Colonial is open to three-year-olds of the sex, j who will celebrate the holiday also in the 0,000 Delaware Oaks and the 0,000 Blackeyed Susan at Pimlico. Never will so many have more opportunities of earning stakes brackets. And it is just possible the Colonial will turn up a prospect for the cli- mactic Coaching Club American Oaks of 0,000 added at Belmont Park on June 6. Meanwhile, the progressive Garden State club is looking to the future, and the introductory running of its 00,000 Garden State for two-year-olds on October 31. In its decision to offer this event, the association seems to have hit upon a race that will assure it a feature comparable to Santa Anitas Maturity, in the sense that it will have an immediate and pronounced importance. It goes almost without saying that in this and future seasons, the nations outstanding two-year-olds will appear at Garden State for this valuable new stake. AAA Turf ana: Lou Pondfield is straightening out the seven furlongs chute at Cranwood. . . . Pimlicos Fred Colwill visited Long Island tracks in the interests of the Black-eyed Susan. . . . J. D. Jackson weighs in with a worthwhile idea. It is his thought all horses ponied at exercise in the a. m. be brought to the course at an appointed hour, after those trained under saddle are off the track. Ninety per cent of runaways are horses being ponied. . . . The 0,000 Michigan Mile will be closed to nominations on June 15, will net the winner approximately 5,000. . . . Major Der-mott McCalmont , senior Irish steward, witnessed the Preakness. Much of the "gray blood" in Native Dancer and other U. S. horses originated at his stud there.
