Judges Stand: Revitalized Ruhe Proving Top Handicapper Little Left of Three-Year-Old Division, Daily Racing Form, 1953-06-30

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JUDGES STAND by charles hatton ARLINGTON PARK, Arlington Heights, HI., June 29. By a rather extraordinary coincidence, the most successful handicap performers in both the East and Midwest this summer are sons of Menow. We are referring of course to Tom Fool and Ruhe. Allie Reubens gelding was never quite so formidable as Harry Trotsek has him these days and jockey Johnny Adams seems to get on well with him, last Saturday adding the important Equipoise Mile to his recent success in the Lincoln Handicap. He won the Equipoise the English way, pouncing on Sub Fleet and Hill Gail like a cat on a mouse the last sixteenth, in a finish that left both his rivals and his audience breathless. We are not inclined to invoke excuses for the tardy favorite, Hill Gail, but it was noted the he washed a great deal in the paddock and had apparently drifted sincerhis record run opening day. He was attempting to concede Ruhe 15 pounds and went under by no such margin, though we had the impression the Reuben gelding might have won more emphatically had Adams moved earlier. As you may know, Reuben bought Ruhe from Emil Denemark two seasons back for a reported 0,000, and last season won 8,290 with him, mostly in seconds and thirds. During the past winter, he was fired and given his first vacation since he was broken. Additionally, he was administered a course of vitamins and we are told a special mineral oil was flown into the country for him. Ruhe, who incidentally was named for the manager of the central division of Buick sales, reacted amazingly and looks and acts a different horse. A beautifully balanced animal, he outlooked the Equipoise field "shoes to plates" on the post parade Saturday, and Johnny Adams observes, "He runs much more cheerfully than in the past." Adams recalled that, "He was the only American horse that proved Revitalized Ruhe Proving Top Handicapper Little Left of Three-Year-Old Division Tom Fool May Extend Domain in Arlington Improvements on Washington Backstretch himself in the Laurel International last fall. I believe he might beat Wilwyn good as he is today. He is one of the best horses in the country." Adams hopes he still is in form for this years International. Meanwhile, he will be occupied with the Stars and Stripes, Arlington Handicap, and Washingtons turf course features. AAA Jack Campbell was quoted not long ago to the rather critical affect, "There is no handicap division." Since then Tom Fool, Royal Vale and Hill Gail have been assaulting the records in a way to suggest that if the division lacks quantity it is certainly not lacking in quality. Somewhat similarly, Native Dancer and Jamie K. appear several eons better than the rest of the three-year-olds. One wonders how many will oppose them in the Classic, though there is 5,000 third money, 0,000 fourth, and the race now is reduced to a mile under allowance conditions. It is rather ironical that in this year of record purse distribution the ranks of really top-class performers should be so thin. What it comes to of course is that some indifferent horses are going to win a good deal more money than they are worth actually. So much for the fallacious premise horses earnings are the most reliable criterion of their quality. Very small fields now are indicated in the autumn weight-for-age cup events, which usually bring together the classiest of the three-year-olds and upward, and often determines the Horse of the Year. AAA Chicagoans are looking forward to a spirited horse race when Tom Fool and, perhaps Royal Vale, hook up with Ruhe and Hill Gail in the 5,000 added Arlington Handicap of a mile and three-sixteenths here on August 1. Tom Fool really won the Suburban and Carter "big," as jockey Eddie Arcaro would say, and Royal Vale proved he was not outrunning himself on Long Island when he won the Massachusetts and Sussex. Harry Trotsek has been a thorn in Hill Gails side here at Arlington. The 52 Derby winner had a very hard race beating Princess Lygia in 1:08 and looked a bit depleted for the Equipoise. Ben Jones could wish Mark-Ye-Well, who has been mending a quarter crack, were ready for action. Nominations for the Arlington Handicap, will close at midnight on July 1, and it is confidently expected to have a gross value of at least 5,000. To Market won this fixture last summer, when it was decided at a mile and one furlong. The new and longer distance will make for a start directly before the stands. By the way, Tom Fool is no stranger here, for he was shipped to Arlington last summer, though he was not being very scintillating at the time. AAA Several months ago we noted the manv improvements Ben Lindheimer has effected for the stable personnel at Arlington. We now learn there is at present under construction a new track kitchen and recereatin rooms at Washington Park. The building is 80 by 100 feet and is in the mode moderne, complete to showers, TV, billiards, and other equipment calculated to improve the lot of the stable men and boys. There is a theory these provisions at Arlington and the Homewood courses will help turfmen in the area to employ and retain desirable grooms and exercise lads. They are naturally reluctant to accompany strings shipping to tracks that do not have suitable facilities on the backstretch. Tracks generally have improved the dormitories and kitchens in recent Continued on Page Forty-Three I JUDGES STAND By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Fifty-Two years and it is our observation that there has been on improvement also in the caliber of stable employes, though trainers are endlessly complaining many of them are incompetent. Racing interests in New Jersey made a step in the right direction when they established a school to teach the less experienced stable men the rudiments of caring for thoroughbreds. Considering the vast sums invested in thoroughbreds one would think the industry might well provide more such courses. AAA Turf ana: Royal Vale will stop off at Arlington en route to the Coast for the Hollywood Cup, returning here, perhaps for the Arlington Handicap, following that event. . . . Bill Winfrey, chatting of Native Dancers baby sister, said, "I never expect to train another like him." .... Canadiana may be a Cleopatra starter. . . . Sea Charger, placed in the Irish Derby, is a Royal Charger who stays. . . . Jacks Jills two-year-old daughter, Oil Painting, positively revels in mud. . . . Washington Park is undergoing a landscaping program. . . . Allie Reuben may have representation in Atlantic Citys American-bred Stakes, Foreign-bred Stakes and United Nations Handicap. ... Mud delayed Rough n Tumbles resumption of his career, interrupted by a mishap in 51. . . . We learn J. A. Dewar has retired his good Hyperion filly, Refreshed, winner of the 52 Newmarket Oaks. ... Be Gracious is at Delaware Park to have another go at winning the New Castle. . . . Englands current three-year-olds are said to be categorically a bad lot.


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800