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JUDGES STAND *y ovum hatton DETROIT RACE COURSE, Livonia, Mich., June 15. — Out here in "the interior" there is a tremendous interest in Native Dancer, whom we saw win that unforgetable Belmont duel on Saturday, and who is coming to this area after the Dwyer for the Arlington Classic over Chicago way. The Belmont began like any ordi nary horse race. Indeed, the pace over the early furlongs was extraordinarily ordinary. Ram o War, who is by nature a stretch runner, sauntered the first six furlongs in 1:15, and another stretch runner, Royal Bay Gem, was jumping right in his tracks. But at the top of the long Belmont homestretch, Jamie K. was in front with "The Dancer" lapped on him and pulling out all the stops. This was what the crowd had been waiting for, and they really got their kicks as the two colts battled it out stride for stride the length of the stretch, drawing ever farther away from their rivals in what had become a match race. The Sagamorean simply was too much horse for Jamie K., forging a neck before him a furlong out and maintaining it to the dramatic climax of one of the most stirring of all Belmonts. , Whether Guerin carried any dramamene we do not know, but the final quarter was in :24% and despite the "slow early pace he was only two-fifths off the stake record of 2:28%, established by Count Fleet and equaled by Citation. As usual, Native Dancer inclined to loaf once getting his head in front, and in the winner*; enclosure appeared to us to be "pointing." Certainly his ankles arent any smaller. Having now won 14 of 15 starts, a mere nose away from "undefeated," the gray is facing up to a very active summer campaign, one that is projected over the Dwyer, Classic, Travers and American Derby. He is by no means the only "name "horse" expected to add luster to midwestern racing this summer. Right here at Detroit Race Course, there is the Midwest Stakes Lure Dancer/ Royal Vale Incidentally Compiling Impressive Score Purse Trend Suggests More Saliva Tests Commissions Must Oppose Inequitable Tax 0,000 Michigan Mile on July 25, and Charley McLennan tells us that the nominations of such as Royal Vale, Hill Gail, Spartan Valor and Oil Capitol already have been received, with a possibility Tom Fool is in the mails, beating the deadline this midnight. P.S.— It did. A A A Mrs. Elizabeth/Grahams beautiful filly, Incidentally, may or maynot go on being the best of her age and sex, but she certainly has the most impressive marks up to now, with four successes in as many starts, including the Ran-cocas and Polly Drummond. Fayfran had her fairly straight, .at the end of the Delaware stake we are told, the Maine Chance filly proved, at Garden State, that she has the courage to match her high turn of speed, however, and we doubt if ever she will be beaten on that score. It is extraordinary how certain characteristics are so recurrent. in some of our thoroughbred families. For several horse generations gray fillies having early speed, if nothing more, have seemed to predominate in the family the Combses developed from La Grisette, Miyako, La Ghica, Geisha, Grey Flight and Incidentallys dam, Danise M., come readily to mind. Until Native Dancer emerged it was questioned if this particular matriarchy ever would produce a classic performer. And yet it is from another gray family stemming from the same source the Aga Khan has produced Nasrullah, Mi-goli arid Mahmoud. One must have, luck, of course, but intelligent breeding is a factor, and one -breeders born under any star may impart to bloodstock production. Leslie Combs n. believes that Incidentallys potentialities do not end at six furlongs, pointing out that she may be rated, either on or off the pace. She is a pleasure to the spectators, for, with all her airy graces and femininity, she is inexorable in a head and head duel, and has simply refused to be denied. AAA The recommendation, presented by the AORC to the NASRC, to "spot check" horses other than the winners with saliva tests and urinalysis seems to us worthwhile considering. The AORC suggest taking specimens from horses who run "out of form," and point out that their records indicate an occasional horse is stimulated to * finish second or third on the premise they will escape the tets. There now is a trend in racing toward offering larger secondary awards, and this is a circumstance which seems to lend point to the AORC suggestion. At the same time this observer believes the practice of administering drugs has been all but stamped out entirely, with only 43 positive reactions from a total of 61,561 tests duringr 1952. As Dr. Frank Menne has stated, it is costing U. S. racing a great deal to apprehend the very small fraction of turfmen who may be tempted to fail to abide by the rules. But it has been well worth it, in public confidence and clean racing. AAA The sport here in Michigan is supervised by James Inglis, who last week in Boston lashed out at uptrending "tote" tariffs, as spokesman of the State Revenue Committee of the NASRC. As this is written, the bill has not been signed, but there is one which would advance Michigans take from 11 to 12 per cent. Not long ago, the take in Ohio was increased from 10 to 12 per cent, and in Massachusetts the commission from the play was advanced from 12 to 14 per cent. Where is the line of demarcation, Continued on Page Forty-Three [ JUDGES STAND By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Fifty-Two one wonders. There are statistics to prove that as the take is increased the returns diminish, and it has applied to New York. The commissions are in position to be heard by their governors and legislative commit-tes and should oppose this trend toward hyping the "tote" takeout. Even though it may be a little awkward for them to tell those who appointed them, the effects of oppressive takeouts, when they would prefer to hear some else. The commissions first duty is obviously to the public as their representatives. It is squarely up to them to present the facts when harmful and inequitable "tote" taxation is proposed. Of course, the legislators also are representatives of the public. But we are reminded of Judge Earl Moyers observation, he is appalled to find how few among them have become acquainted with the facts of racing. AAA Turfana: The famed Ascot Gold Cup is to be decided June 18, the less historic but more important King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on July 18. Piriza may meet Wilwyn and Zucchero in the latter event, and. the result may influence the field in our International. . . . Tennessees Jimmy Tupper and. George White have an improving sprinter in Black Racer, who won in 1:11 and some small change at Detroit Race Course recently. . . . Jockeys Jimmy Breckons and Tommy Barrow have followings here in the Motor City. . . . E. E. Dale Shaffer, who imported Heliopolis, finds Grecian Queens form rather gratifying* •
