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JUDGES STAND bycharles hatton ARLINGTON PARK, Arlington Heights, 111., June 24. — While awaiting the decision of the Artful we were amused to read, in N. V. Durlings column, an estimate of Citation, which, if nothing else, illustrates how sharp the "difference of opinion" in horse racing can become. Durling declares he is "growing weary of those stubborn supporters of Citation who claim their pet .thoroughbred is the horse of the century. I still say he is overrated. Lets look at the record. Noor beat Citation four times. Bewitch and Saggy beat Citation. Also Miche, Roman In, Bolero, A Lark, Special Touch and Be Fleet all beat Citation. Every time Citation tried to carry 130 pounds he lost." Durlings view is refreshing, though Citations injured admirers may think it just fresh, and at Calumet it doubtless will be considered a shocking blasphemy of a great horse. But there is in human nature an impulse to rebel at an insistence something is beyond question the best. Was it not Caesar who was lain by the heels simply because people tired of eternally hearing him call "The Just?" Frankly, we have not heard anybody refer to Citation as the horse of the century. But there have been three of those the first half of it — Sysonby, Colin and Man o* War — and it is conceivable that ultimately some of Native Dancers admirers will be so carried away with their enthusiasm they will get around to exalting him with that appellation. Of course, Citation was defeated, as any horse who campaigns long enough in top company inevitably will be, but he won the "Triple Crown" and ,000,000. However, he needs no defense from this quarter. And we suggest Paul Ebelhardt send Durling an asbestos visitors pass to Calumet. AAA We were interested in John Partridges estimate that * Jamie K. is within a pound of being as much horse as Na- Blow to Citation Admiration Society Classic May Test Partridges Theory Lindheimer Diversifies Grass Racing Ndsrullah Gains International Fame tive Dancer. This theory will not be tested in the Dwyer at Aqueduct, thouglrThe Dancermust maKe some weignc concessions in that mile and a quarter, for Jamie K. was not nominated. But there is a possibility the Classic here on July 18 will be rather illuminating, shedding some light upon the difference in pounds between the Sagamorean and Nell K.s brother. Under the terms of the local stake, Native Dancer would carry 126 pounds and concede the son of Crowfoot six pounds. If Partridges theory is correct, Jamie K. should be the favorite to turn the tables on his-conqueror of the Preakness and Belmont. We have a notion those who share his opinion are in the minority, however. It is the general impression that Native Dancer draws his finishes fine winning at a minimum expenditure of effort. This technique is rather flattering to his rivals and makes for some exciting finishes in races he might conceivably win off were he a freer runner. So one hesitates to guess that the margins by which he has won some of his races represent the grays maximum capacity. Native Dancer is by no means the only horse having these characteristics. Many incline to pull themselves up once in front, and conversely-there are horses who have an expensive disinclination to pass a pacemaker. The unbeaten Colin to whom Native Dancer is sometimes compared, rarely won by margins such as the headlong Man o War and Count Fleet compiled. Gallant Fox was another who would win by a neck, pricking his ears. This conservative style naturally tends to be less wearing than virtually running off and may prolong the usefulness of horses having it. AAA Ben Lindheimer is "very pleased that our efforts to build grass racing have met with excellent response from . the horsemen and the public." And he has expanded the Arlington and Washington program of turf course com petition to 10 features ranging from 0,000 to 0,000 in value. Six of these are overnighters, and three have the optional claiming clause Jimmy Kilroels introducing here this summer. The distances range from six furlongs to two miles, and, as a matter of fact, are more diversified than the racing on the main tracks. Races such as the 5,000 Stars and Stripes, 5,000 Armour Memorial, 5,-000 Grassland and 0,000 Meadowland, make training horses over the grass well worth while. And it is to such events we look for the American "team" in the next Washington International. The general distribution in turf course racing has increased steadily in the last several seasons and Lindheimer believes this picturesque phase of the sport will be developed far beyond its present scope. . AAA Our friend, Clive Graham, made no very great point of it, but American breeders are interested that Nasrullah is leading the English-sirejist the first half of the season. It is rather curious, and significant, that he should have assumed such rank though he has been in this country some two years. And it will be recalled that while he still was in Ireland, his son, Noor, placed him second for a time on the U. S. sire list. Nasrullahs first U. S. progeny now are yearlings. By private treaty, Gordon Guiberson bought three of them from Claiborne, Howell Jackson another. Continued on Page Thirty-Nine I . JUDGES STAND By CHARLES HATTON . L— : . , . . - . , Continued from Page Forty-Eight So far as we are aware, none will be available on the open yearling market this season. Ouiberson bought one of the most beautifully bred fillies in the Stud Book when he obtained the bay by Nasrullah, out of the~Hyperion mare, Highway Code. Nasrullah is a stallion of unsurpassed, quality about the legs and most of his progeny we have seen appear very sound. He is represented in contemporary racing here by the 1953 stakes winner, Indian Hemp, a candidate for the Michigan Mile, and in England by Zucchero, a candidate for the King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth, in which he was second, lapped on the successful Supreme Court two years ago. AAA Turfana: Detroits Jim Collins, who selected a bargain yearling in Biddy Jane, plans shopping at Keenelands sales again this summer. *« . . Michigan commissioner Inglis has imported Cal Rainey to serve as state steward at Hazel Park. . . The Michigan Breeders Association is becoming more active, according to honorary member Dr. Lindy. It will request Inglis 4to adopt a rule providing five pounds allowances for the produce of state studs and a 50 bonus for winning. And it plans a Michigan yearling show at the MRA on nr.j«..j... ~ ~ nm — »» — : Charley Kenney as the judge. . . . E. E. Dale Shaffer has announced free seasons to Bully Boy for qualified mares owned by Michiganders. . . . George Haggerty has sold his thoroughbred interests to Shaffer. . . . Hill Gail, in his present form, endangers the Equipoise Mile mark of 1:35. . . . Mark-Ye-Well is in light training.
