view raw text
WEIGHING IN By Evan Shipman BELMONT PARK, Belmont, L. I., N. Y., May 10. Unpredictable spring weather did its best to spoil steeplechasings gala occa sion last Saturday, and the thousands for whom the International had been intended through the generosity of the Westchester Racing .Association and the initiative of the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association failed to put in an appearance because of the heayy morning rain. Theforeiern horses were here with their English and Irish riders, a large and representative field going to the post in this two-mile test that had been accorded the place of honor on the afternoons program, even though the celebrated Withers one of Americas true classics was down for decision on the same card, but the spectacle was witnessed largely by those dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts who never miss any "through-the-field" feature, no matter how difficult of access it may be, nor what the weather conditions. AAA True, the International was beamed to a multitude of homes on television. In that sense, one cannot consider its planning and promotion as labor lost. Nevertheless, the long anticipated occasion fell so far short of our rosy expectations that it is futile to attempt to conceal our regret. For those of us who did brave the inclement skies, the International turned out to be a good race, even though Extra Points, the impressive winner, and the other three first past the finish line were air American horses. Horsemen had been pretty well prepared for just this eventuality, but they were frankly surprised by the fine style shown by nearly all the foreign entries over our tricky obstacles, and they are in unanimous accord that the English and Irish Visitors comported themselves honorably and well under unfavorable circumstances. AAA For Extra Points, a chaser whose career previous to this season had been definitely obscure, to defeat The Mast, chosen as "Steeplechaser of the Year" in 1953, and His Boots, winner of two Belmont Grand Nationals, at even weights not to speak of the distinguished foreign entries in this International is an extraordinary tribute to the training skill of his conditioner, Mrs. C. E. Adams. In the week-end feature, the eight-year-old Grand Slam gelding, racing in the colors of the Canadian owners, Col. and Mrs. L. H. Nelles led from end to end, setting all the pace under the expert rating of Mrs. Adams accomplished son, Frank, and never put to anything resembling a drive to discourage The Masts International and the Weather Extra Points Win Tribute to Trainer Conditions May Have Had Big Effect mild threat or a belated bid from the tardy His Boots. AAA Strictly because of Extra Points manifest superiority of condition, the International lost its competitive interest. The field was well bunched for most of the two-mile trip, the imported French horse, Palaja, and The Mast both in excellent position to challenge Extra Points, had they been able, while Sundowner, of whom much had been expected, was also in the near vicinity of the leaders. With half a mile to go, Frank "Dooly" Adams let out a notch with the well schooled, safe jumping and easily running Extra Points, none of the others in trim to match this spurt, even though time for the distance through the soggy going was more than 17 full seconds off Oedipus track mark. AAA Closely studied on the walking ring before .the start of the International, the seven English and Irish entries made a fine impression. They all stripped well, G. G. G. Lawrences Rose Park, Miss Dorothy Pagets Prince of Denmark and Leslie Brands In View calling forth many compliments from the -connoisseurs. To the agreeable surprise of local horsemen, the visitors at once showed that they were not at a disadvantage over Belmonts obstacles; they took these fences in-full stride, there being none of the "propping" or hesitation that had been feared. In View and Prince of Denmark were both serious factors throughout most of the running, this pair only falter- ing as if short in the final half mile. AAA As a general criticism, we would say that the foreign horses performed better than did the foreign riders, many of these jockeys appearing puzzled by the pace, unaware of the proper time to wait, or the proper time to apply pressure, this, mind you, is not intended as any fundamental criticism of the English and Irish boys horsemanship. Far from it. Repeating a statement that has been made many times recently in this space, Belmont is a tricky course, and these foreign steeplechase jockeys had had ho opportunity to familiarize themselves with its hazards prior to the running of Saturdays International. AAA While ready to admit that Extra Points has probably moved up 15 pounds in class over any form previously shown, we still lean toward the belief that condition was the determining factor in his easy score; his fine condition and the others want of that essential factor. Excuses on this ground are in order for all the foreign ers, difficulties inherent in the long air trip and the sudden change of climate be-! ing obvious, but the same explanation for failure here can be extended to include The Mast, His Boots and Sundowner. Jim jRyan, trainer of The Mast, told us that taking surplus flesh off this veteran had presented a serious problem this spring, and that, in desperation, he had finally administered a ball recently. Now that is a strong remedy, and when you give a ball, I you risk losing something else beside surplus flesh. AAA In the case of The Mast, we know that he lacked all his customary brio, performing Saturday as if stale. Off His Boots recent public outing, we believed he would come up to the International razor sharp but Brookmeades campaigner was still overweight on Saturday, convincing us that his next race will be a much better effort than was this one. As for Sundowner, no such easy explanation will answer for his dull showing, his physical appearance being fatiltless, but in becoming more amenable to control, Sundowner has lost the speed and verve that formerly characterized his races. A A Maine Chance Farm, successful just recently in a brilliant renewal of the Kentucky Oaks with the fine filly, Fascinator, added another classic event to the stables honors on Saturday when Jet Action captured the seventy-ninth running of the Withers. This handsome homebred son of Jet Pilot Busher, by War Admiral was in no way embarrassed by the sloppy strip, running his mile in an impressive 1:36 and dominating his opposition all through I the homestretch. Barely seen in public last year because of an escapade in the Saratoga stable area one night, Jet Action may well add his name to those of the leaders of this unusual generation, this last outing stamping the chestnut colt as a threat in all the remaining classics. AAA Jet Action won the Withers with authority, doing full justice to his magnificent pedigree! His dam, as you will recall, was one of the best of her sex seen oh the American turf in the past quarter century, one of the rare fillies capable of beating her best male contemporaries without benefit of any weight allowance. Back of Maine Chances, winner, John Barry Ryans Buttevant and King Ranchs High Gun, James Cox Bradys Artismo could finish no better than fifth, but we are convinced that this good colt needed the race. No such excuse will do for Greentrees Palm Tree who wound up fourth. The latters condition for the Withers was all that could be asked for, but you had better dismiss him as completely untrustworthy whenever he has to dp with opponents of i class.
