view raw text
REFLECTIONS by nelson nstan NEW YORK, N. Y., June 15.— Three-Dot Shorts: Humphrey Finney, general manager of the Fasig-Tipton Company, tells us that the officials of that organization have ordered a complete over-hauling of the Saratoga sales paddocks. The old seats will be replaced by comfortable chairs, and there will be many more of them. The alterations will cost from 0,000 to 5,000. » . . Lou Smith, of Rockingham Park, phoned to say that he stands ready to put on a 0,000 race at weight-forage, provided he can obtain enough good three-year-olds and older horses to make it an appealing contest. . . . Jim Ryan, trainer of Royal Vale, is undecided about future engagements for his horse, but he would be pleased if Tom Fool went in one direction and Royal Vale in another. . . . Royal Bay Gem, a courageous little three-year-old, would not be disappointed if Native Dancer and Jamie K. start in races other than those in which he is engaged. . . . Neville Dunn, editor of the Thoroughbred Record, was in the press box for the Belmont Stakes, and he is another who is opposed to including the fifth horses in purse distribution Louis Primas The Preem did better in the Belmont Stakes than Rochesters of Jack Benny fame Burnt Cork did in the Kentucky Derby of 1943. Burnt Cork finished dead last, beaten some 40 lengths. . . . Royal Vale is not named for the Carter Handicap, but he is eligible for the Brooklyn Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup, which will be run the same day. AAA1 The Belmont Stakes settled many questions concerning Native Dancer, but about all it proved that he can sprint and run a distance of ground and that he has all the courage of the thoroughbred. His future schedule has not been settled to our knowledge. He is eligible for the Leon- Native Dancer Passes Final Test Gray Colt-Champ by Any Standard Swinebroad Speaks Against Rich Races Top Flight Handicap Last Belmont Stake ard Richards at Delaware Park this Saturday, but it is our impression that Bill Winfrey will give him a rest until the Dwyer at Aqueduct on July 4. Including the 1,500 he earned in the Belmont, the Vanderbilt champion has now garnered 22,745 in 15 starts. Citation raced 20 time up to and including the Belmont Stakes and earned 44,700. During his entire career from 1947 to 1951 he did not race in 1949 Citation started in 45 races, earning ,085,760, the largest sum ever earned by a thoroughbred anywhere in the world. To date, Winfrey has done a splendid job in keeping the gray colt at the peak of his form, We hear much about his "suspicious ankles," but it will be a fine thing for racing if he is still in training this fall and as a four-year-old in 1954. He must win 63,015 more to top Citation. While that is a lot of money there are so many 0,000 and 00,000 races this year and next year it is quite possible for him to become the new worlds money-winning champion. AAA Speaking of 00,000 races, George Swinebroad, president of the Thoroughbred Club of America, commented on them when addressing the racing commissioners in Boston. He said: "There is also a growing sentiment against 00,000 purses. It is felt that such large purses expose racing to attacks from its enemies and that the money might better be distributed in the form of increased purses for other stakes and feature races." It is a controversial point. While two 0,000 races may be more advantageous than one at 00,000, we do not believe that racings "enemies" enter the picture at all. If they do not agree about one thing they will about another. It is useless to take into consideration the many points that racings enemies constantly bring up. In the years to come the 00,000 races may have to be reduced because of changing economic conditions. But until then we believe the present schedule is a sign of racings prospeiity and popularity. We also beliieve these 00,000 races help the breeders get high dollars for the horses they sell. AAA The Belmont press box on the week end was filled with publicity directors from tracks throughout the country. Fred Purner, of Santa Anita; Brownie Leach, of Churchill Downs; Everett Clay, of Hialeah, and Billy Ames, of Narragansett and Bowie, were among those on hand to see the "test of the champion." . . . Belmont experienced the most wretched weather of any New York trajck this spring, but the officials seldom complain. To see Alex Robbs smile, Saturday, one might thing the sun was shining, but the Belmont was run under miserable conditions. . . . The Arlington Classic at one mile will probably gross more than any other three-year-old stake this season. It will certainly top last years figure of 50,450. . . . The record to date this year is 53,600 for the Flamingo at Hialeah. . . . Night racing is a dead issue for thoroughbreds, but the trots are doing extremely well under the arc lights. . . . The sidelining of Dark Star, winner of the Kentucky Derby, is a tragedy of the season. . . . The grooms at Washington Park will appreciate the new combination of stable kitchen-dining room and recreation room of red brick and glass. The management says they will be ready for the August 3 opening at the Chicagoland track. . . . Mereworth Farm officials are pleased with the way high-class stables have taken their Continued on Page Forty-Three 1 REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Fifty-Two yearlings on a contract basis for the past two seasons. A A A Aqueduct will follow Belmont, Monmouth Park is under way and Arlington Park will swing into action for its coordinated meeting with Washington Park on June 27. All of these tracks offer fine stakes, with many of the events playing their part when the days for voting for the various champions present themselves in the fall. Monmouth Park, like Garden State, have made it a practice to install improvements in the plant every year. Today the fans have escalator service in the grandstand and clubhouse, two new terraces in the grandstand, and, like the Camden track, a cafeteria atop the grandstand. Eighteen stakes will be run, ranging from 5,000 to 0,000 and totaling 80,000 in added money. Monmouth has become one of the most popular race tracks in the country. Arlington Park also is offering many improvements, including a new parking area which will increase capacity to 14,000 automobiles. This particular is one of the best ways bf serving the racing public. The roads have been resurfaced, and there will be more and larger box seats. Arlington and Washington Parks have stakes which will attract many of the finest horses in the country, bearing out what Ben Lindheimer said when he took over the two Chicago courses: "I will give followers of racing in: the Windy City a type of sport that is comparable with, any in the country t. and with comfortable accommodations." . . •
