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WEIGHING IN *y EVA shipman BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 19. — One may as well face the fact that United Hunts meetings are not popular with the metropolitan racing public. Yesterday, the weather was perf ectr and the program offered by this organization at Belmont Park was most attractive, promising excellent sport, and yet the crowd "stayed away in droves." Getting to cold figures, the attendance was 14,507, or the lowest of the season on Long Island, while the wagering also sank to a new low, ,427,611 passing through the machines. Somewhat ironically, the feature of the afternoon was the New York Turf Writers Cup, a mile and three-quarter handicap for hurdle horses, and, as we see it, it is just those turf writers who are responsible for the general apathy where the United Hunts T**ris concerned. With or without reason, the local press has always been hostile to steeplechasing, and even though the fencers have only two races a day at this two-day meeting, the remainder of the card being indistinguishable from any ordinary afternoon at Belmont, still the name is there. Unfortunately, that name seems enough to provoke a good deal of inverted snobishness, and the public has been quick to catch the suggestion that, it if visits a United Hunts meeting, it is trespassing on a private preserve. All this is a shame, and we sincerely wish something could be done about it — yes, and for the sake of the public as well as for the sake of steeplechasing — because, as matters are now, the public is depriving itself needlessly of a genuine pleasure. AAA Trainer Arthur White and jockey Elwood Carter were the stars of the afternoon yesterday, this combination capturing both the jumping races on the United Hunts initial program. Old Patrol, a 10-year-old chaser and pretty cer-jp. tainly the last of the Man o Wars in competition, led all Public Unaccountably Cool to United Hunts Trainer and Jockey Achieve Pleasing Double Hyvania Was Severely Treated by Handicapper English Colt Makes Promising American Debut the way to take the Cherry Malotte, and a little while later, Eternal Son scored another front-running victory in the New York Turf Writers Cap. This pair was sent to the post in rare condition, and they were both well ridden, their success throwing into relief the work of two capable horsemen. Extra Points, winner of his every start this season until yesterday, was the odds-on choice for the two-mile Cherry Malotte, and this consistent seven-year-old showed his usual honest effort, but he could not concede the Man o War gelding 13 pounds. Carter took Patrol to the top at the drop of the flag, opened up a long lead and then had little to do but clear the last couple of jumps safely, as he was well beyond any danger of being caught by Extra Points or any of the others. AAA Mrs. George Bostwicks well-bred Hyvania was the favorite for the New York Turf Writers Cap, but handicapper Jack Cooper may have been overly severe with the gelded son of Hypnotist n. — Vagrancy, and he could finish not better than fourth, making only a weak bid through the final half mile. Justification for the 160 pounds Hyvania was forced to carry was probably the geldings brilliant race in the Mid-Summer Hurdle at Monmouth last July, but that is going back a long way. Again, in the New Jersey race, which is still vivid in our memory, Hyvania received a remarkable ride from the French jockey, Albert Foot, while yesterday, J. Smileys performance in the saddle was decidedly indifferent. All this should not take any credij; away from Eternal Son, whose victory over Brechin, Pintor, and the rest, left not the slightest doubt that he was the best at the weights. This trim, well-muscled little horse either forced or set the pace for the entire trip, and when it came to a drive, he still had plenty of run. A good deal was expected of Montpeliers Pintor, once considered a colt with a chance in the classics, but this son of Goya n. is probably overrated as a hurdle horse, just as he was last season as a Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes prospect. AAA Best of the flat races on yesterdays card was a mile handicap that brought a small, but select, field to the post. The Cockfield Stables Arcave, a Discovery gelding, who hadshown fine form on the local circuit previous to a disappointing trip to Boston for the Massachusetts Handicap, was installed an odds-on favorite, and this time the public was making no mistake. Kaster, a son of Unbreakable, who is eventally destined for the jumps, but, in the meantime, is more than earning his keep on the flat, set a brisk pace, and was still in front as the field looped for home. Ted Atkinson, however, had the choice in high gear, and Arcave had a last quarter on tap that was decisive. This mile was clocked in 1:36%, suggesting that when Tom Fool and Royal Vale are not around, Arcave will be hard to handle over the middle distances. Like most of the Discoverys, he is not inconvenienced by weight, and he was carrying a very respectable 122 pounds yesterday, four more than had been assigned Kaster, the runner-up, and 12 more than on Walter Fletchers Nullify, the latter winding up third after running "in spots." AAA S Among those defeated by Arcave in that swift mile was the English colt, Castleton, the latter intended last fall for the Laurel International, but was a victim of lameness be- Continued on Page Forty-Three WEIGHING IN By EVAN SHIPMAN Continued from Page Fifty-Two fore the running of that spectacularly successful feature. Now racing in the colors of the Canadian sportsman, E. P. Taylor, Castleton was making his American debut yesterday, and he was naturally the object of close attention on the part of local horsemen on the walking ring. Winner of the Edward "VTL Stakes at Ascot and the 1 Blue Ribband at Epsom Downs last season, i this four-year-old by Windsor Slipper— • Clandon, by Hyperion, gave us the impression that he will prove a valuable addition to our handicap ranks if his legs "stand up." Hejs a good looking horse, but very light boned, hardly the type that will stand much racing. Castleton has learned our way of doing things. He broke well from the gate, showing plenty of early foot, and jockey Moreno made a serious move with him between the turns. At that stage, he was running as if he might go on to take it all, but he was down in the deep going next the rail, and even though his rider took him well out from the rail for the drive, he tired badly from his earlier efforts, winding up some nine lengths behind the winner. All in all, this was an encouraging debut. If he came out of that race sound, Castleton will take some beating the next time he is sent to the post in that company.
