view raw text
, Connors Corner By "CHUCK" CONNORS Tom Fool Has Golden Opportunity Can Emulate Whisk Broom II. Feat Tourists Trek Back From Pimlico BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 25. — Tom Fool, the four-year-old son of Menow and Gaga who races for the Green-tree tree Stable Stable of of John John , tree Stable Stable of of John John Hay Whitney and his sister, Mrs. Charles Shipman Payson, has an opportunity to etch his name alongside that of a stalwart of years ago, one Whisk Broom II. This fellow, who raced for the late Harry Payne Whitney, an uncle of the Green-tree Stable owners, 40 years years ago, ago, set set a a record record years years ago, ago, set set a a record record that has stood the test of time despite repeated onslaughts. In the year 1913, Whisk Broom H. accounted for the runnings of the Metropolitan, Suburban and the Brooklyn Handicaps. Whisk Broom II., a son of Broomstick, was trained by Jimmy Rowe and was bred in Kentucky by J. G. Greener and ridden by Joe Notter. In that year racing returned to New York following an absence of a couple of years, due to the Directors Liability Law, and Whisk Broom II. was returned from England where he had been sent a couple of years previous. In the Metropolitan, he carried 126 pounds, sped the distance in 1:39 and picked up a hefty monetary award of ,500. For the Suburban he was handicapped at 139 and met five other starters. Whisk Broom II. broke tardily, the start was effected over at what Belmont Park patrons now know as the far turn, they raced the English way that time and, when the finish was over, he showed the way to Lahore and Meridian. The controversy over the timing of that race, two minutes flat, raged for several decades or until out California way where Golden Gates Fields presented an elastic track that saw the record for that distance lowered until it stands at 1:58% today held by Noor. The Brooklyn was next on the agenda for the Whitney colorbearer a little more leniently than in Walter Vosburgh treated the Whitney colorbearer a little more lenient than in the Suburban. He placed 130 pounds on him for the time-honored feature and Whisk Broom II., again carrying Joe Notter, downed his opposition with comparative ease, winning in 2:03%, and picked up ,125. A glance through the winning roster of the three great stakes, which deservedly should be known by some title, and a real one, reveals that the best of the handicap division at one time or another in their careers started in one of the three races, but none has ever come within miles of equaling the feat of this son of Broomstick. Assault won the Brooklyn and Suburban in the same year, but he did not start in the Metropolitan. That is the nearest approach to the trick of Whisk Broom n. Tom Fool now looms up as the stalwart who is in a better position than any of his predecessors to equal the feat that has stood the test of time. Tom Fool is a Suburban nominee and is named for the Brooklyn. Devil Diver accounted for all three but there was a gap of a couple of years between successes, the Metropolitan and the Brooklyn the same year 1943 and the Suburban in 45. Well, it is something to dream about and maybe Ted Atkinson, if he is successful, can reach out and shake hands with Joe Notter when and if. Winston Guest, who deserted the polo fields and thoroughbred racing for the less attractive pursuits of prosaic business, airlines, made his first appearance of the season to witness the Metropolitan. He opined that Tom Fool would be one helluva polo pony . . . Eddie Hodgson, onetime jockey, trainer, owner, but now clocker for Daily Racing Form, celebrated his natal day on Sunday. How many? WeU, just take any two numbers between 65 and 75, average em up and you wont . be far of f . Trainer P. M. Burch spent the week-end at Brookmeade Farm in Virginia inspecting the horses at that point. . . Leon "Jake" Swirbul, of the New York State Racing Commission, was on hand for the afternoon. . .Jake Amiel deserted the hungry and thirsty of the Broadway area over the week-end. He wanted a looksee at the Metropolitan and do some vocal exercise for his two starters . . .Mrs. Dodge Sloane, mistress of Brookmeade Stable, was a week-end visitor and Continued on Page Thirty-Six Connors Corner By C. J. CONNORS Continued from Page Five was impressed by the showing of Tom Fool. Frank J. Heller, of Lester Manor Stable, passed up the Preakness for the Metropolitan. . .Charles Schwartz returned from a business trip to California and reported that the situation in the Golden State in regards to racing was somewhat clarified. He pointed out that his Bold Venture, the Derby winner, is the only horse to sire two winners of the stake, namely Assault and Middleground . . .Ashley T. Cole, top man of the racing commission, showed up for the day. He was accompanied by Mrs. Cole . . . Ponset Davis, the rubber man from Akron, was a week-end visitor. . .Joe Notter, one of the greats of the riding ranks of other generations, made his first appearance of the season. He placed the stamp of approval on Tom Fool, but Whisk Broom II. is still the best handicap performer in his book . . . Frank "Red" Leatherbury, of the Harbor-vale Stable, deserted Mobile, Ala., and the romance of ocean business, for a look-see at the Metropolitan. . .1. J. Collins, who has a draft of horses with Will Booth, returned from a business trip and plans to remain over for several days. Dr. F. I. Southard, son of the well-known veterinarian, who was recently discharged from the Armed Services, has rejoined his father in that field. The elder Southard will confine his activities to consultations and X-rays. He recently returned from Lebanon, Ohio, where he buried his mother who passed away following a lingering illness . . . Gary Schumacher, the baseball man representing the Giants, was on hand over the week end . . F. J. McNulty, master of the Cross Bell Ranch, was a visitor over the week end. He came on from Texas via Florida and reported that flying over Hialeah the work on the clubhouse appeared to be well under way. Walter M. Jeffords, is undecided about starting Kiss Me Kate in the Suburban, but the main reliance will be One Count. Mr. Jeffords reported that he will breed Ace Card to Count Fleet and unlike others is rooting for a filly. Ace Card has sent a representative list of offspring to the races, namely Post Card, Yildiz and One Count, all stake winners. . .Bob Kleberg, master of King Ranch, showed up bright and early this morning and helped Max Hirsch do some training . . . The tourists to Pimlico straggled back over the week end and all reported that they had a wonderful time. The Belmont delegation of starters in the race, Native Dancer, Jamie K., Dark Star, and Tahitian King were returned to their respective menages yesterday or this morning . . Gretchen Lynch, wife of the New York Journals Pat, was discharged from the Harkness pavilion today following surgery. She will convalesce at home, and hopes to be out for the Suburban . . . Harry F. Guggenheim, master of Cain Hoy Stable, reported that the prize cattle are in good condition at his South Carolina plantation.
